For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 63
WILLIAM HOFFMAN. The ability which William Hoffman has displayed in the practice of law has long since gained him distinction as a leading member of the bar of Muscatine, where he follows his profession as a partner in one of the leading law firms of eastern Iowa---Janye & Hoffman. He is of German birth, although almost the entire period of his life has been passed in this country. He was born March, 19, 1845, in Prussia. Both his paternal and maternal grandparents always remained residents of Germany. His grandfather on the paternal side was a blacksmith, while his maternal grandfather devoted his life to preaching and teaching. His parents, Frederick and Amanda ( Hildebrand ) Hoffman, were also natives of Germany, where his father learned the trade of a blacksmith and metal worker. The hope of bettering his financial condition in utilizing the broader opportunities of the new world led him to come to America in 1845, at which time he took up his abode in Philadelphia. He remained in that city, and Reading, for several years, after which he left Pennsylvania and in 1852 came to Muscatine. Later he removed to Grandview, where he followed his trade up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1861 when he was about forty years of age. They were the parents of six children, five sons and a daughter, but only two are now living, the brother of our subject being Fred J. Hoffman, of Mather, Wisconsin.William Hoffman was a young lad when his parents took up their abode in Grandview, Iowa, where he resided until seventeen years of age, spending much of his youth in the attainment of an education in public and private schools and the academy of that place. He afterward entered the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in 1870, while in 1872 he completed preparation for the practice of law by graduation with the LL B. degree. The same year he was admitted to the bar and in the fall of 1872 opened an office in Muscatine, where he has practiced continuously since. He was first associated with H. H. Benson, a former circuit judge, and in 1874 formed a partnership with Thomas Brown. Two years later they admitted J. A. Pickler to the firm under the name of Hoffman, Pickler & Brown, which connection was continued until 1882, When Mr. Hoffman joined Judge W. F. Brannan and Henry Jayne under the firm style of Brannan, Jayne & Hoffman. Four years later the senior partner was elected judge of the district court and since that time the firm name of Jayne & Hoffman has been used. No change occurred in the partnership until the two sons of the partners were admitted, the old firm name, however, being still retained. Few lawyers have made more lasting impression upon the bar of the state, both for legal ability of a high order and for the indivuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a community. Mr. Hoffman is devotedly attached to his profession, is systematic and methodical in habit, sober and discreet in judgment, diligent in research and conscientious in the discharge of every duty. His presentation of his cases indicates a thorough mastery of the questions involved.
On the 29th of September, 1874, Mr. Hoffman was married to Miss Irena Hutchinson, a daughter of John Hutchinson. Mrs. Hoffman was born in Ohio but her parents were natives of Virginia. Her father died in the buckeye state and following the Civil war the mother came to Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman were born six children: Arthur,engaged in business with his father, who married Cora hunt, by whom he had a son, William Hunt Hoffman; Paul, a physician in Tipton, Iowa; Ralph and Fred, both at home; Harry, a most promising young man, who passed away at the age of seventeen years; and Mabel V., who married S. J. Jeffers, a dentist, and now makes her home in Buffalo, Wyoming.
Mrs. Hoffman and some of the children are members of the Presbyterian church and in its work are actively interested. Mr. Hoffman belongs to Wyoming Lodge, No. 76, K. P., and is also entitled to wear the Grand Army button for there is an interesting military chapter in his life record. He was a young man about seventeen years when in 1862, he enlisted in Company G,Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving for three years or until the close of the war. He participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, in which he was wounded, the siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Sterling Farm, Louisiana, a part of his company and regiment being captured in the last named. Subsequently the Nineteenth Iowa was at Port Hudson and also participated in the capture of Spanish Fort, near Mobile, and in several skirmishes. It was subsequent to his service in the war that Mr. Hoffman entered the State University and pursued his collegiate and law courses. His political support is given to the republican party, and in 1902 he was a candidate for congress but was defeated by Judge Wade in the second Iowa congressional district. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his chosen calling, the careful regard evinced for the interest of his clients and the assiduous attention to all the details of his cases have brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct.
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