George Hoffman

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-277198 
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lot 11 Con. 4 Wellesley Township
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-277194
• Immigration: 1845
• Immigration: 1848, , USA
• Occupation: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; tailor
• Occupation: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lot 11 Con. 4 Wellesley Township
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Retired: 1901, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

John Hoffman.

This gentleman is probably as well known as any other farmer in this section, and has done as much towards opening up of the wilderness that existed in this section over half a century ago. He was born in the Province of Hessen, Germany, in 1825, and came to America in 1848, landing first in the city of Quebec. From there be reached Hamilton via steamer, and from Hamilton he started on foot for Preston, completing the journey in the course of a day and night. He remained in Preston over night, and the next day, Pentecost Sunday, he walked to Philipsburg, where he found friends. Being a shoemaker by trade be secured a situation with the late Christoph Doering, who was then conducting quite an extensive business, consisting of a general store, tannery and shoe shop. Here he worked for eight years, and where he was foreman. In October, 1856, he moved to the farm he now occupies, the extent of the estate being three hundred acres and lying two miles to the north of Wellesley village. There was then only seventy acres cleared. We can imagine that he did not have an easy time of it when he began life here. He was compelled to pay interest at the rate of seventeen per cent and found money scarce at that. Flour was then worth nine dollars per barrel and wages 75 cents a day. There were no mercantile establishments and mills nearer than Hawksville.

He was married in 1852 to Regina, daughter of the late Christian Hill. They have a family of three, all sons. The eldest, Henry, is working on the home farm and is still single. The second, George, is living on 150 acres of the estate adjoining. The third, Jacob, is working on the home place Mrs. Hoffman, now in the 68th year of her age, has been for some time suffering with asthma and is now in an almost helpless condition. Mr. Hoffman, who has been an active and industrious man all his life from the time he was old enough to do anything, retired to private life last New Years, and is now enjoying the fruits of his many years of labor. He has been a life-long Reformer and is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is also identified with the Tempkars of Jerusalem, a sect founded by Christian Hoffman in 1868-55, who died in Jerusalem in 1891. The subject of this sketch has been eminently successful as a farmer and has always taken a keen interest in that which he thought might be of most benefit to the farming community. He is exceedingly hospital and kind to those who have occasion to visit his home - his latch string always hanging on the outside. For one of his weight of years he has a remarkably retentive memory, and to converse with him is a pleasure to the person who loves to listen to interesting and thrilling reminiscences of the past. Mr Hoffman is his own biographer and is now engaged in writing his own biography. He has already filled twenty pages of foolscap paper. It is neatly and closely written in German, and relates important episodes in his life, having reference to all the cities, towns and villages of the old country where he had worked at his trade, shoemaking.

Since writing the foregoing I learn that Mrs. Hoffman died in her chair while her husband was sitting at his desk near her.


Waterloo County Chronicle, 8 Dec 1898, p. 8

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As we go to press we learn of the death of John Hoffman which took place at his home yesterday (Wednesday. [sic] Deceased who reached the advanced age of 82 years and 7 months was well known throughout the district having lived in this vicinity for many years. The funeral will take place from residence of Jacob Hoffmann, section line, on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment in Rush's cemetery.

Wellesley Maple Leaf, January 16, 1908

John — Regina Hill. Regina (daughter of Christian Hill and Catharina "Catherine") was born CALC 8 Nov 1830, , Germany; died 24 Nov 1898, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Rushes Cemetery, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197826597
• Name: Regina Hoffman
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-277196
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lot 11 Con. 4 Wellesley Township
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-130820 
• Occupation: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Shoemaker
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Christian married Catharina "Catherine" 1827. Catharina was born 1794, , Germany; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharina "Catherine" Hill
• Name: Catherine
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-225676
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran