Biographical & Genealogical History of Appanoose & Monroe Counties, Iowa

New York, Lewis Publishing Co. 1903

Sanford Hoffman page 130

Sanford Hoffman, who carries on general farming on section I, Taylor township, where he has ninety-seven acres of good land, has been a resident of Appanoose county since 1875, and is residence in the state dates from 1870, for in that year he settled in Monroe county. He was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, November 24, 1834, and is a son of Henry Hoffman, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania, and who represented one of the old Pennsylvania, and who represented one of the old Pennsylvania German families noted for industry and integrity.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Higgins, and she, too, was born in the Keystone state, of Pennsylvania German parentage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman died in Greene county, where the father had followed the occupation of farming as a life work. In politics he was a Republican and was a member of the Church of God. In the family were thirteen children, eleven of whom reached years of maturity, while three were soldiers of the Civil war, Bryce being a member of a Pennsylvania regiment, while Layton joined a West Virginia regiment.

Sanford Hoffman spent his boyhood days in the county of his nativity, and his parents impressed upon his mind lessons of industry and perseverance. His literary training was received in the public schools, and at the age of twenty-three years he was married, Miss Rachel Plantz becoming his wife. She was born and reared in Greene county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of George and Catherine ( Stollen ) Plantz, both of whom died in Iowa.

It was in 1864 that Mr. Hoffman offered his services to the government, enlisting in the Sixth West Virginia Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He then returned to farm life in Pennsylvania and in 1870 moved westward to Iowa, settling in Monroe county, where he carried on farming until 1875. In that year he came to Appanoose county, and has since lived upon his present farm in section I, Taylor township, where he has ninety-seven acres of rich and productive land. It is well watered by a creek, and there are good pastures and meadows together with plowed land. He keeps a high grade of Polled Angus cattle and draft horses of English breed, and both in his stock-raising and in his general agricultural pursuits he is meeting with success for as the years pass his income gradually increases.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman were born seven children: Franklin M. resides in this county. Jervis Leroy, who carries on farming here and is now serving as justice of the peace, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1862, and was therefore eight years of age when the family came to Iowa. He was here reared, obtaining a good education, and for a number of years was successfully engaged in teaching. On the 27^th of May, 1897, he wedded Miss Lizzie Stoops, who was born in Monroe county, Iowa, a daughter of William and Judith ( Wright ) Stoops. Her father was a soldier of the Thirteenth Iowa Infantry during the Civil war.

J.L. Hoffman and his wife have two sons, Charles and Harold. The other children of our subject and his wife are: Mrs. Ollie Hampton, of York, Nebraska; and Mrs. Mary Faber, of Monroe county, Iowa. They also lost three children, Libbie and Harvey, who were successful teachers, and an infant named Jane.

Mr. Hoffman exerts his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. He belongs to Moravia Post, G.A.R., and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In matters of business he is straightforward and reliable and when called upon to aid in any measure or improvement of benefit to the community his co-operation is not withheld.

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