Biography of Frank A. Hoff, pages 471/472.  History of DeKalb County, 
Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 1914.



Frank A. Hoff

There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of 
the successful man there are always lessons, which might well be 
followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize 
the opportunity that come in his path.  The essential conditions of 
human life are ever the same; the surrounding of individuals differ but 
slightly, and when one man passes another on the highway of life to 
reach the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out 
before him, it is because he has the power to use advantages which 
probably encompass the whole human race. Today among the prominent 
citizens and successful business man of Auburn stands Frank A. Hoff.  
The qualities of keen discrimination, sound judgement and executive 
ability enter very largely into his makeup and have been contributing 
elements to the material success which has come to him. Frank A. Hoff, 
of Auburn, Indiana, to whom belongs the distinction of having been in 
business continuously longer than anyone else here, was born in Aiz-la-
Cappelle, or Aachen, Germany, on September 11, 1855.  His early 
education was secured in his native land and in 1874, at the age of 
eighteen years, he came to America, over which he traveled extensively 
for four years, having located at Fort Wayne, Philadelphia in 1876, and 
at St. Louis in 1877.  In 1878 he came to Auburn and engaged in the 
grocery business, with which he has been identified continuously since, 
with constant and increasing success.  He has a well established trade, 
his splendidly stocked store being located on Seventh street running 
through to Eighth street, and being recognized as one of the principal 
business house of this city.  His eminent business qualities, sterling 
integrity and genial manner have gained for him the confidence and 
friendship of all who have dealings with him and no man in the 
community stand higher in the general esteem than he.  In 1878, after 
locating in Auburn, Mr. Hoff married Mary J. Neireter, who was born and 
reared at Fort Wayne, Indiana.  To them have been born the following 
children: Minnie K.; M. Jeannette; Emma E. is the wife of Frank 
Darling, of Fort Wayne, and they have two children, Robert Hoff and 
Jewell Jeannette; John P., who is a resident of Auburn, and who is 
sheriff of DeKalb county,  married Lottie Wolford, and they have one 
daughter, Mary Josephine; Clara J.; Carl W., and Marie J.  Mr. Hoff and 
the members of his family are all identified with the Catholic church 
and in the social life of the community they are prominent figures, 
being highly esteemed for their genuine worth.



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com