JOHN F. HOFFMAN, farmer and fruit-grower, was born in Augusta, Ga., December 12, 1842, to Charles F. and Charlotta (Gunther) Hoffman. They were natives of Baltimore. Our subject's grandfather Hoffman, however, came from Hanover to America, and settled in Baltimore. Mr. Charles F. Hoffman was engaged in the millinery and dry goods business at Baltimore, but his health failing, he desired a warmer climate so moved to Augusta, Ga., where our subject was born. In 1849, he moved to New Orleans and was book-keeper for an English cotton commission house. He only lived for about eight years after moving to New Orleans. His widow still resides in the suburbs of that city, and is seventy-four years old. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are now living, two sons and three daughters, our subject and Charles F. being the sons. Charles F. is in the banking business in New Orleans, also agent for Brown Bros. & Co., of New York. One daughter, Mrs. Rosalie Avery, is in Nebraska. The other two daughters are in New Orleans — one Mrs. W. Bourdette, whose son is cashier in above bank; and a maiden daughter at home. One subject was educated in the high schools of the city of New Orleans, and after leaving school he began clerking in the house of Samuel Nicholson & Co. He afterward engaged in the exchange brokerage business. Mr. Hoffman was in the city of New Orleans at the time of its capture, but left immediately after for New York, where he had a position offered him with the same house for which he had been at work in New Orleans. He remained in New York for three years and then returned to New Orleans and remained there until 1869, when, his health failing, he desired more of an outdoor life. A friend gave him a letter of introduction to Daniel Davie, of this county. Mr. H. came here and liking the country decided to remain, so the first year he stayed with Mr. E. N. Clark, and learned more of the fruit business, and in 1870 bought his present farm of eighty acres, and has been engaged in farming and fruit-raising since. On his farm he has a peach orchard of fifteen acres, an apple orchard of twelve acres, besides small fruits, and also meadow land. The West Fork of Drewery Creek flows through his farm, and when he came to it there were undrained flats, causing malaria; but these he has drained and made into meadow land, and thereby made them profitable and added to the healthfulness. He has found that the climate has had the desired effect on his health. On his farm he has splendid springs of running water, and also has found outcroppings of black marble. In 1874, he was married in this county to Miss Ellen Tweedy, daughter of James M. Tweedy (see sketch, Alto Pass Precinct). The result of this union was four children, three of whom are now living — Carrie, Charles T. and Maggie. She died in March, 1881, and August 31, 1882, he was again married to Miss Nora A. Smith. She was born in this county, on Hutchins Creek, daughter of Alexander Smith. He is one of the charter members of Cobden Lodge, Knights of Honor, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Cobden. His wife is a member of the Christian Church. In politics, he is a Democrat, but voted for Grant for his first term.
Extracted 26 Apr 2020 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, pages 130-131.
| Jackson | Williamson | |
| MO |
 |
Johnson |
| Alexander | Pulaski |
