Hoffman Surname

Middle names are common in Germany, and it was common for German parents to give their children 2 or more middle names for their children. Many times these children chose one of their middle names to use as a given name.

Johann Andreas Hoffmann was born at an unknown date and location. He died on December 11, 1788 in Groß Lafferde, Peine, Hanover, Germany ¹⁵.

In about 1755, he moved to Groß Lafferde in Hanover. For 33 years, he was the church-caretaker (opferman) for the Lutheran church in Groß Lafferde. He died two days after falling from a ladder and succumbing from injuries to his arm and head. He was married twice.

His origins are unknown, but a guess is that he was from somewhere in Hanover, possibly born during the 1720s or 1730s. He was not from Groß Lafferde, where he lived as an adult. It's a guess that he might have been related to a man named "Heidenreich Christian Hoffmann" (described as a church-caretaker in Lavelsoh) who was a godfather to his first son in 1759 (perhaps church-caretaker was something of a family profession?). It's also possible he was related to a Sophia Oldendorp, who was described as either a sister/daughter when she was a godmother to two other children.

They had four children:

1	Johann Heinrich Christian Hoffmann was born on September 16, 1759 in Groß Lafferde, Peine, Hanover, Germany 15. He died on about February 12, 1760 in Groß Lafferde, Peine, Hanover, Germany 15.
2	Ilse Sophia Elisabeth Hoffmann was born on April 6, 1761 in Groß Lafferde, Peine, Hanover, Germany 15.
3	Johann Heinrich Conrad Hoffmann was born on April 27, 1764 in Groß Lafferde, Peine, Hanover, Germany 15.
4	Johanna Maria Elisabeth Hoffmann was born on April 13, 1768 in Groß Lafferde, Peine, Hanover, Germany 15.

They had two children:

5	Johann Heinrich August Conrad Hoffmann
6	Sophia Christina Rebecca Hoffmann was born on August 27, 1782 in Groß Lafferde, Peine, Hanover, Germany 15.

Johann Heinrich August Conrad Hoffmann was born on May 7, 1776 in Groß Lafferde, Peine, Hanover, Germany ¹⁵. He died on September 4, 1842 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany ¹³.

Father: Johann Andreas Hoffmann
Mother: Maria Dorothea Elisabeth Milius

He apparently went by his middle name, August. He was born and raised in Groß Lafferde, where he was orphaned in 1788 at the age of 12. At some point in his youth (between 1788 and 1799) he moved to Oedelum (a village about 6 miles away), and remained there for the duration of his life. He was a carpenter.

They had two children:

1

Sophia Dorothea Maria Christina Hoffmann was born on December 7, 1801 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13. She died on November 28, 1874 in Schellerten, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 14. She married Johann Melchior Ludolph Reinhard on October 4, 1827 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13. He was born circa 1801 and died on December 17, 1866 in Schellerten, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 14. They had children: Johann Heinrich Melchior August Reinhardt (1827-) Johann Heinrich Melchior Conrad Reinhardt (1832-) Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Reinhardt (1835-) Johanna Sophia Christina Juliana Reinhardt (1838-) After their marriage in 1827, they settled in Schellerten (a village near Oedelum), where they remained until their deaths. Her husband apparently went by his middle name, Melchior. He was a tenant farmer.

2

Friedrich Behrend Heinrich Christoph Hoffmann

Friedrich Behrend Heinrich Christoph Hoffmann was born on February 22, 1807 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany ¹³. He died on February 27, 1870 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany ¹³.

Father: Johann Heinrich August Conrad Hoffmann
Mother: Ilse Marie Sophie Wolpers

Friedrich apparently resided in Oedelum for the duration of his life. By occupation, he was a carpenter (tischler), a trade he probably learned from his father. He died from asthma.

They had nine children:

1	Johanna Dorothea Maria Christina Hoffmann was born on October 26, 1829 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13. She died after 1862. She married Johann Heinrich Christian Borsum on November 14, 1851 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13. They had children: Johanna Caroline Marie Sophie Borsum (1854-) Johann Herman Wilhelm Borsum (1857-) Johann Heinrich Carl Borsum (1862-)
2	Johanna Maria Sophia Hoffmann was born on December 29, 1832 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13. She died on January 12, 1896 in Clauen, Peine, Hanover, Germany 16. She had a relationship with a man (or men) she did not marry* She had illegitimate children: Johanna Maria Sophia Hoffmann (1852-1853) Johanna Maria Sophia Hoffmann (1855-aft. 1878) She married Heinrich Christian Wilhelm Hartje on February 28, 1861 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13. He was born on February 8, 1831 13. He probably died after 1907 in Clauen, Peine, Hanover, Germany. They had children: Heinrich Conrad Wilhelm Hoffmann (Hartje) (1858-) Johann Carl Fritz Hartje (1861-aft. 1895) md. 1st Emma Sophia Maria Heimberg md. 2nd Eleanore Christine Johanne Strube Johanna Dora Minna Hartje (1863-aft. 1895) Eduard Heinrich Wilhelm Hartje (1867-1880) Wilhelm Heinrich Eduard Hartje (1869-1889) stillborn son Hartje (1872-1872) She went by her middle name, Sophia. She was documented as having three illegitimate children (in 1852, 1855 and 1858). In the first two baptisms, the father's name was not listed, but in the third, the father was described as Heinrich Christian Wilhelm Hartje; the man she later married in 1861. Could all three illegitimate children have had the same father? Durin their first few years of marriage, they lived together in her hometown of Oedelum. Then sometime between 1863 and 1867, they moved to his neaby hometown of Clauen, where they remained.
3	Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Hoffmann
4	Johann Christoph Herman Hoffmann was born on April 13, 1837 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13. He died after 1858. He went by his middle name Herman. In August 1857, he was a godparent for the baptism of his nephew Johann Herman Wilhelm Borsum. In September 1858, he was a godfather to his nephew Heinrich Conrad Wilhelm Hoffmann (Hartje).
5	Johann Heinrich Hoffmann was born on April 2, 1839 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13. He died on April 4, 1839 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13.
6	Friedrich Christian Andreas Hoffmann was born on October 23, 1842 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13. He died on March 30, 1844 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13.
7	Johann Carl Julius Hoffmann was born on November 21, 1844 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13. He died after 1862. He went by his middle name, Carl. In December 1862, he was a godfather to the baptism of his nephew Johann Heinrich Carl Borsum.
8	Johanne Sophie Elisabeth Hoffmann was born on July 10, 1846 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13. She died after 1870. She had a relationship with a man (or men) she did not marry. She had two illegitimate children: Dorothea Emilia Ida Hoffmann (1866-) Ernst Heinrich Hoffmann (1870-) She went by the name "Minna".
9	Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Hoffmann was born on September 10, 1850 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13. He died after 1873. He married Johanne Dorothea Marie Wulfs on July 6, 1873 in Oedelum, Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany 13.

4th Generation: "Henry" Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Hoffmann was born on June 4, 1835 in Oedelum, Hanover, Germany. He died on June 21, 1906 in Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 2. He is buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. Father: Friedrich Behred Heinrich Hoffmann Mother: Maria Christina Uepkendanz Throughout his life, he used his middle name "Heinrich", which became "Henry" while living in the US. Henry was raised in Germany and as a youth he decided to come to America. His reasoning for this is unknown, as he is the only member of his family known to have made the trip. He was probably the "Heinrich Hoffmann" who was godfather to the baptism of his niece Johanna Maria Sophia Hoffmann in March 1852. In the mid-1850s, Henry made the voyage over the Atlantic Ocean to the United States. He was probably the "Heinrich Hoffmann", carpenter from Hanover, who arrived in New York City from Bremen on December 26, 1855 on the ship "Von Stein". (In 1868, when he applied for citizenship he indicated that he arrived in America in December 1853 - however my guess is that he was just off by the year.) After arriving in New York, he went out west and settled in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. There, he was married on October 18, 1859 to Sophia Streu, also a recent German emigrant. In 1859 and 1860, they were living in Greenfield Township in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. By 1865, they had moved to adjacent Franklin Township, where they took out a mortgage to purchase land. They sold their land there in October 1870 and moved west to Mankato, in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. There, they lived and farmed in Mankato Township, just outside of the city of Mankato. Henry lived in Mankato Township for the rest of his life. Eventually, he owned his land and became quite successful. He also appears to have owned land in nearby Lime Township, and also in the city of Mankato. Henry and his family were Lutherans, members of the German Evangelical Church. Henry submitted his declaration to become a citizen on October 29, 1868, while living in Wisconsin. His citizenship was finalized 30 years later, on June 11, 1898. Henry wrote his will on January 29, 1906, and left his estate (valued at about $19,500) to his 12 surviving children and 3 grandchildren (children of his deceased daughter Ida). He died from heart disease on June 21, 1906, at his home in Mankato Township, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He was 71 years old at the time of his death. He was buried in the Glenwood Cemetery in Mankato. His widow afterwards moved to the city of Mankato, where she died in 1922. Obituary, Mankato Free Press, Jun. 21, 1906, Pg. 5, Col. 2: "HENRY HOFFMAN DEAD Father of Twelve Children Passes Away Henry Hoffman, a well known farmer, died at his home in Mankato township, one mile east of the city, at 9:30 o'clock this forenoon of insufficiency of the heart's valves. He was born in Hanover, Germany, June 4th, 1834 (sic), and emigrated to this country about 1857. He first located at Milwaukee, Wis., and remained there nine years. In 1867 (sic) he came to Blue Earth county and has lived here ever since. He is survived by his wife and twelve children, the latter being the following: Mrs. Bertha Gusso, Mrs. Amelia Talbert, Mrs. Lizzie Graham, Mrs. Laura Hyslop, and William, Henry, Herman, George, John, Alfred, Rudolph and Edward. All live in this county except Mrs. Graham, who lives at Fairmont. The deceased has many friends who will regret his death. Funeral services will be held at the family residence at two o'clock Saturday afternoon." Henry married Sophia Maria Christiane Streu on October 18, 1859 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., Wisconsin 1.

Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman

1	Bertha Sophia Hoffman was born on February 28, 1861 in Milwaukee Co., Wisconsin. She died on January 8, 1938 in St. Clair, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. She is buried in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, McPherson Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She married Henry Gusso on May 8, 1880 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (He was born on August 24, 1859 in Wisconsin and died December 11, 1933 in St. Clair, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He is buried in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, McPherson Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had no children.	Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman
2	Amelia Marie Johanna Hoffman was born on October 25, 1862 in Milwaukee Co., Wisconsin. She died on December 7, 1945 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. She is buried in the Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery, Lyme Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She married John Felber on November 22, 1887 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (He is buried in the December 12, 1857 in Ohio and died on April 14, 1914 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He is buried in the Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery, Lyme Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Amelia Bertha Felber (1888-1960) md. Edwin Ernest Lehnert Elizabeth Sophia Felber (1890-1977) Mathilda Marie Felber (1891-1974) md. John William Laube Anna Barbara Felber (1893-1975) md. 1st. William Frederick Kindler md. 2nd. Gustave William Lehnert Bertha Anna Felber (1897-1971) md. Albert Emil Seefeld John Alfred Felber (1898-1990) md. Lyda Lillian Hanel	Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman
3	William Henry Hoffman was born on October 18, 1864 in Milwaukee Co., Wisconsin. He died on September 29, 1932 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. He is buried in the Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He married Lena Henriette Funk on January 31, 1889 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (She was born on February 12, 1869 in Minnesota and died on October 23, 1944 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She is buried in the Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. They had the following children: Grace Ida Hoffman (1889-1953) md. Oscar Seltenreich infant Hoffman (1889-1889) Martha Amelia Hoffman (1891-1984) md. Julis Herman Arthur Seltenreich Sarah Mary Hoffman (1894-1986) md. Fred A. Seltenreich Jennie Louise Hoffman (1896-1986) md. Delbert Chauncey Edwards Nora Elsie Hoffman (1899-1994) md. Ivan Alfred Macbeth Elmer William Hoffman (1903-1962) md. Mildred Ethel Edward Edna Leona Hoffman (1910-1993) md. Robert Karl Miller	Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman
4	Henry William Hoffman
5	Elizabeth Minnie Hoffman was born on January 3, 1869 in Franklin Township, Milwaukee Co., Wisconsin. She died on March 5, 1945 in Fairmont, Martin Co., Minnesota. She married Frank LaValle Graham on July 1, 1888 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (He was born on December 30, 1863 in Wisconsin and died on March 22, 1939 in Fairmont, Martin Co., Minnesota.) They had one child: Laura Jane Graham (1895-1988) md. Herbert Conrad Schweppe	Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman
6	Herman Jacob Hoffman was born on January 26, 1870*. He died on May 11, 1940 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. He is buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He married Magdalena "Lena" Barbara Mock on November 6, 1894 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota (She was born on November 26, 1871 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota and died on October 31, 1961 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She is buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Joseph Leo Hoffman (1895-1958) md. Agnes Caroline Antonson Leo John Hoffman (1897-1965) md. Celestine Ann Thissen Alfred John Hoffman (1899-1977) md. Mildred Carmen Moore Clarence Hoffman (1902-1902) Arthur Phillip Hoffman (1903-1955) md. Lydia Caroline Bartsch Robert Henry Hoffman (1909-1989) md. Julia Emogene Horan * Herman's birthdate is listed in multiple sources as January 26, 1870; and all known sources also record his birth in Minnesota. This is problematic because his parents were still documented as residents of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin in July 1870 (1870 census enumeration) and also in October 1870 (deed from when they sold their land there). Herman is also absent from the census enumeration in July 1870. One possibility is that his documented birthdate was off and he was really born after the family moved to Minnesota (perhaps on January 26, 1871?). However that doesn't leave too much time between the birth of next child George in July 1871. A different possibility is that Herman was not their biological child and was adopted. This would have happened sometime after the Hoffmans moved to Minnesota, probably in the early 1870s.	Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman
7	George Jacob Hoffman was born on July 11, 1871 in Mankato Township, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He died on October 11, 1946 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. He is buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He married Ella Sarah Polzin on December 6, 1905 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (She was born on June 18, 1883 in Minnesota and died on January 29, 1947 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She is buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had one child: Seth Walter Hoffman (1915-1972) md. 1st. Dorothy Marie Smithson md. 2nd. Helen Louise Lindoe Minor	Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman
8	Ida Amelia Hoffman was born on February 17, 1872 in Mankato Township, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 5. She died on March 8, 1899 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 5. She is buried in the Tivoli Cemetery, Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She married Fredrick William Lamm on December 9, 1890 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (He was born on July 12, 1866 and died on July 30, 1958 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He is buried in the Tivoli Cemetery, Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Rudolph Fred Lamm (1891-1977) md. Marcella Ann Bregel Julia Sophia Lamm (1893-1977) md. George Frederick Cords John Henry Lamm (1896-1967) md. Eleanor Gre. Strand infant Lamm (1898-1898)	Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman
9	Infant daughter Hoffman was born and died on February 17, 1872 in Mankato Township, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.
10	Alfred August Hoffman was born on August 10, 1876 in Mankato Township, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He died on January 13, 1930 in Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. He is buried in the Tivoli Cemetery, Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He married Mary Elizabeth Jane Haslip on May 3, 1905 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (She was born on January 13, 1886 in Minnesota and died on January 19, 1960 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She is buried in the Tivoli Cemetery, Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Roy Harold Hoffman (1906-1999) md. Olga Clara Etta Flitter Glen Allen Hoffman (1911-1995) md. Catherine Margaret Reitz Lenertz Mildred Jane Hoffman (1915-1996) md. Conrad Wilhelm Johnson Deloris Ruth Hoffman (1921-2001) md. Richard Laurence Miller Arlene Helen (1923-2019) md. James Burton Sandeen Aldean Maybelle Hoffman (1925-1962) md. Percy M. Anning	Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman
11	John Phillip Hoffman was born on August 12, 1878 in Mankato Township, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He died on April 3, 1954 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. He is buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He married Theresa Mary Macho on November 24, 1908 in New Ulm, Brown Co., Minnesota. (She was born on October 8, 1879 in Vienna, Austria and died on July 29, 1941 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She is buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Harold Matthew Hoffman (1910-1982) md. Harriet Elizabeth Schunamen Walter Nick Hoffman (1911-1989) md. Marjorie Eleanor Gronquist infant male Hoffman (1913-1913) Clifford John Hoffman (1915-2002) md. Jimmye Vee Lowe Marcella Marie Hoffman (1919-1994) md. Albert Lawrence Paffrath Lucille Mary Hoffman (1926-2001) md. James Thomas Crager	Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman
12	Rudolph Henry Hoffman was born on December 22, 1879 in Mankato Township, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. He died on January 10, 1968 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. He is buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He married Mary Catherine McCall on August 22, 1906 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (She was born on August 22, 1881 in Minnesota and died on October 31, 1962 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She is buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: John Clarence Hoffman (1907-1980) md. Magdalena Pauline Vermeersch Henry Bernard Hoffman (1913-1972) md. Velma Elizabeth Mathwig Rosemary Catherine Hoffman (1916-1945) md. Frank Charles Wenner md. Frank Wenner Margaret Lucille Hoffman (1919-2004) md. Harry Frederick Stanke	Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman
13	Edward Peter Hoffman was born on February 26, 1882 in Mankato Township, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. He died on December 30, 1972 in Arlington, Sibley Co., Minnesota 4. He is buried in the Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery, Lyme Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He married Minnie Paulina Ernestine Kindt on November 20, 1912 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (She was born on July 18, 1892 in Erfurt, Elslenben, Germany and died on January 18, 1952 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She is buried in the Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery, Lyme Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Edward Henry John Hoffman (1914-1978) md. Alice Irene Pearson Harriett Minnie Hoffman (1915-2011) md. Alvin Rehbein Lorraine May Hoffman (1918-1995) md. Stanley Edwin Plumb Geneva Sophia Hoffman (1919-2011) md. Elmer Delton Ford Raymond Leroy Hoffman (1921-2010) md. Marjorie Jessealea Owens Muriel Lois Hoffman (1923-2013) md. Wilmar Arnold Auringer Gerald Ralph Hoffman (1931-2002) md. Margaret Anne Jensen Joanne Lugene Hoffman (1934-1993) md. James R. Klaseus	Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman
14	Laura Catherine Hoffman was born on April 14, 1884 in Mankato Township, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She died on April 14, 1923 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. She is buried in the Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery, Lyme Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She married Robert Thomas Boyd Haslip on November 21, 1905 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (He was born on February 13, 1880 in Minnesota and died on August 3, 1954 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He is buried in the Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery, Lyme Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had the following children: Lester Clifford Haslip (1907-1958) md. Viola Esther Lamson Erma Esther Haslip (1909-1991) md. Roy Elmer Lamont Richard John H. Haslip (1910-1979) md. 1st. Eleanor Theresa Resner md. 2nd. Darlene Dorothy Henrietta Haslip (1912-1993) md. Leland Whitney Ford Edith Amelia Haslip (1913-1969) md. George Thomas Baumgartner Edwin Hale Haslip (1914-1985) md. 1st. Evelyn Addelman md. 2nd. Leona Muenchow June Laura Haslip (1916-2013) md. Clayton Eugene Krise Ervin Thomas Haslip (1918-1984) md. Evelyn Mary Addleman Audrey Sophia Haslip (1920-1995) md. Joseph John Funfsinn Marjorie Lorraine Haslip (1922-1994) md. Eldo William Merritt	< Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman

5th Generation: Henry William (or Jacob)* Hoffman was born on August 25, 1866 in Franklin Township, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin 6,7. He died on September 13, 1907 near St. Clair in McPherson Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 7. He is buried in the Tivoli Cemetery, Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. Father: Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Hoffmann Mother: Sophia Maria Christina Streu Henry spent the first part of his life with his family in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. In 1870, when he was 4 years old, he and his family moved west to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where they settled on a farm in Mankato Township, just east of the city of Mankato. Henry spent the rest of his formative years in the vicinity of Mankato. It was while living there that he met and became engaged to Christina Kling who lived in the area. They were married on November 13, 1888 in Mankato Township. Henry and Christina lived together in Mankato Township where they farmed part of the land owned by his parents. It was during this time period that their four children were born. In 1904 they moved to nearby McPherson Township where they lived near the village of St. Clair. At some point by the end of his life, Henry also lived briefly at Smiths Mill, another small town in Blue Earth County. Henry worked as a farmer during the summer and during the winter he worked for his brother-in-law C. W. Miller who was an ice man. It was while doing this during the winter of 1906-1907, that Henry was injured in his hand. He developed blood poisoning and became seriously ill. Although his demise was not immediate, he never fully recovered from his experience. Nearly a year later, on September 12, 1907, Henry died at his home near St. Clair, Minnesota from the effects of Bright's Disease. He was only 41 years of old. His widow never remarried and continued living in the vicinity of Mankato until her death in 1954. Henry was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America (a fraternal organization) as well as a member of the Congregational Church. * Family history indicates his middle name as Jacob, while contemporary records indicate his middle name was William. In practice though, he did not use a middle name or middle initial. Obituary, Mankato Free Press, September 20, 1907, Pg. 3: "Henry Hoffman of McPherson died at his home there last night as a result of blood poisoning which he suffered from last winter. It will be remembered that while working for C. W. Miller, the ice man, in this city, one hand was slightly injured and blood poisoning developed and he was very seriously sick for some weeks, part of the time in a hospital. The deceased was born Aug. 25, 1866, and leaves a wife and four children. His mother is also living, and seven brothers and four sisters, all in Mankato or vicinity. He was a member of of the Modern Woodmen of America, and had many friends who will greatly regret to hear of his death. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at two o'clock at the Congregational church at St. Clair, Rev. E. L. Heermance of this city officiating. The internment will be made at the Tivoli Cemetery." Henry married Christina Margarethe Kling on November 13, 1888 in Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 12.

Photo courtesy of Carole Hoffman

1	Ernest Henry Hoffman was born on August 27, 1889 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 7. He died on January 2, 1966 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. He is buried in the Woodland Hills Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He married Lydia Laube on November 17, 1914 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (She was born on April 6, 1882 8 in Minnesota and died on October 8, 1975 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. She is buried in the Woodland Hills Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had one child: June Beanthany Hoffman (1920-1998) md. Milo Eugene Gruber
2	Howard Christian Hoffman was born on January 7, 1891 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 7. He died on December 5, 1971 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. He is buried in the Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He married Clementine Etta Morrison on June 28, 1913 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (She was born on February 2, 1885 in Minnesota 4 and died on July 6, 1962 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. She is buried in the Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. They had one child: Betty Jane Hoffman (1920-1988) md. William Dewey Carlson
3	Dora Sophia Hoffman was born on January 25, 1894 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 7. She died on October 13, 1975 in St. Clair, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota 4. She is buried in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, St. Clair, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. She married Roy Richard Hubmer on September 7, 1915 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. (He was born on March 17, 1894 in Minnesota and died on May 7, 1981 in Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. He is buried in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, St. Clair, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.) They had two children: Pershing Roy Hubmer (1918-1996) md. Living Living
4	Bertha Mary Hoffman

6th Generation: Bertha Mary Hoffman was born on May 25, 1897 in Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minnesota 8,9. She died on March 8, 1995 in Oregon City, Clackamas Co., Oregon 8,9. She is buried in the Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon. Father: Henry William Hoffman Mother: Christina Margarethe Kling Bertha spent the first years of her life on a farm in Mankato Township, just east of the city of Mankato. In 1904, she moved with her family to a farm near the village of St. Clair in nearby McPherson Township. They also lived briefly in the nearby small town of Smith Mill in Janesville Township. It was while living in St. Clair in 1907 that Bertha's father died, when she was only 10 years old. Then in 1908, Bertha moved with her mother and siblings to a farm in nearby Decoria Township. Bertha attended school at Kennedy Bridge School just over the township line in Mankato Township. She probably graduated from this school in about 1912. In 1912, Bertha moved with her mother to the city of Mankato where they purchased a house at 207 West Fourth Street. After moving to Mankato, Bertha began attending the Minnesota State Normal School in Mankato with the goal of becoming a teacher. She was a student at the school between 1912 and 1916, but apparently did not graduate from the program. After this, she began working as a school teacher. According to family history, she taught school at the one-room schoolhouse that she had attended as a child (probably the Kennedy Bridge School). In 1919, she was working as a school teacher. In 1920 though, she was doing "book work" for the Mankato Cement Works company. Meanwhile, Bertha became engaged to a young man named Neil Bixby. Neil Bixby was originally from the area but had moved with his family to Oregon in 1909. After his World War I service ended in 1919, he briefly returned to Minnesota where his brother and sister were living. It was probably in that situation that he and Bertha began dating and eventually decided to get married and move out west. Sometime between January and April of 1920, Bertha and Neil moved out west to Portland, Oregon and were married in April in Vancouver, Washington. During the first five years of marriage, they lived with Neil's parents in a rented house in Portland and also in rural Washington County, Oregon. Then, in about 1925 they purchased a house in the Parkrose neighborhood of Portland where they remained for about 20 years. The Bixbys were financially comfortable and raised a loving family. In 1944, Bertha's only son Deane died fighting in World War II. His death was a tremendous loss to the whole family and especially to Bertha. In about 1945, they sold their Parkrose home and moved to a different house in Portland. Then in 1950, they sold their Portland home and purchased a new house in the town of Milwaukie in Clackamas County, Oregon. They were still living in this house in 1985, when Neil died. Bertha was then quite elderly and could not support herself in her house by herself. A few years after her husband's death (in about 1989) she moved into an apartment in Milwaukie. She lived there until about 1993, when she went to a nursing home in Oregon City, Oregon, where she spent the remainder of her life. Bertha died on March 8, 1995 in a hospital in Oregon City, Oregon. She was just two months shy of her 98th birthday. Bertha married Neil Francis Bixby on April 19, 1920 in Vancouver, Clark Co., Washington 7,11.

Photo courtesy of Ryan Wadleigh

For information on their children, see his page.

1. Marriage Certificate of Henry Hoffman and Sophia Stroy, 1859, Milwaukee Co., WI
2. Obituary of Henry Hoffman, Mankato Free Press, June 21, 1906
3. Obituary of Sophia Hoffman, Mankato Free Press, March 23, 1922
4. Minnesota Death Index, Minnesota Historical Society
5. Tombstone Inscriptions, Tivoli Cemetery, Mankato Twp., Blue Earth Co., MN
6. Obituary of Henry J. Hoffman, Mankato Free Press, September 20, 1907
7. Genealogical dates and records, by Patricia Plymale, c. 1987
8. Social Security Death Index
9. Obituary of Bertha Bixby, The Oregonian, March 10, 1995
10. Information and research of Carole Hoffman at (no current e-mail address)
11. Marriage certificate, Clark Co., WA
12. Marriage certificate of Henry Hoffman and Christina Kling, Blue Earth Co., MN, 1888, Pg. 152
13. Oedelum Parish Registers, Bockenem-Hoheneggelsen, Hanover, Lower Saxony, Landeskirchliches Archiv der Evangelisch-lutherischen Landeskirche Hannovers
14. Schellerten Parish Registers, Bockenem-Hoheneggelsen, Hanover, Lower Saxony, Landeskirchliches Archiv der Evangelisch-lutherischen Landeskirche Hannovers
15. Groß Lafferde Parish Registers, Groß Lafferde, Olsburg, Hanover, Lower Saxony, Landeskirchliches Archiv der Evangelisch-lutherischen Landeskirche Hannovers
16. Claen Parish Registers, Clauen, Olsburg, Hanover, Lower Saxony, Landeskirchliches Archiv der Evangelisch-lutherischen Landeskirche Hannovers