Biography of Hon. John H. Hoffman, page 37.  History of Northeast Indiana; 
LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial 
supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. 
McIntosh.  The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.

   Hon, John H. Hoffman.  During the greater part of his active career 
covering more than half a century, John H. Hoffman has been identified with 
business and other interests connected directly or indirectly with the 
public welfare.  At Ligonier he is known as a merchant, farmer and banker, 
is also a former postmaster, and represented his county in the Legislature 
in the sessions of 1917 and 1919.
   He was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, November 7, 1845, son of George R. 
and Sarah (Cramer) Hoffman.  His parents were both born in Pennsylvania, his 
father in 1808.  After their marriage they lived for several years at 
Gettysburg, but in 1842 came to Indiana and located in DeKalb County.  
George R. Hoffman spent his active life as a farmer, and was also 
prominent in politics, serving as county recorder and in other county 
offices.  He was a member of the Lutheran Church.  In a family of six 
children John H. and his brother George H. are the only living survivors.  
His brother has long been prominent in South Dakota, where he still 
resides, and had the distinction of being the first lieutenant governor of 
that state.
   John H. Hoffman grew up on his father’s farm in DeKalb County and had a 
common school education. At the age of sixteen he left home and school to 
enlist in Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry.  He was in the army nearly a year.  
He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh in 1862, and that closed his actual 
service.  Toward the close of the war he re-enlisted, but was never called 
to the front.  After the war Mr. Hoffman attended school and for several 
years was a teacher.  He removed to Ligonier in 1868 and from 1869 to 1873 
was a teacher in local schools.  Since 1872 Mr. Hoffman has been perhaps 
chiefly known as a factor in mercantile affairs at Ligonier through the 
book, stationery and office supply business.  He became sole proprietor of 
his store in 1873, and two generations of patrons have bought their books 
and stationery from him.
   He is also one of the directors of the Farmers and Merchants Trust 
Company of Ligonier and is vice president and director of the Ligonier 
Refrigerator factory.  He owns a farm and gives much of his time to its 
management.
   Mr. Hoffman married Miss Mary C. Eldred.  She was born in Stark County, 
Ohio, and when a girl came to Huntington County, Indiana, and in 1865 to 
Ligonier.  Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have no children.  Mrs. Hoffman is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  He has long been affiliated 
with the Grand Army of the Republic, with Post No. 125.  He is a past 
grand of the Independent Order of Odd Follows, past chancellor of the 
Knights of Pythias, and has sat in the Grand Lodges of both orders.  Mr. 
Hoffman gave eight years to the management of the Ligonier postoffice, 
serving under Harrison and McKinley.  He has also served as town clerk and 
treasurer of Ligonier.  He was elected a member of the Legislature in 1916 
and re-elected in 1918.  This is the only case in Noble County in which a 
representative to the Legislature has been elected for two successive terms.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com