HIRAM N. HOFFMAN
Page 564
HIRAM N. HOFFMAN
Page 564
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HIRAM N. HOFFMAN. The finely improved farm owned and occupied by this well-known resident of Mason County is situated on section 18, Allen's Grove Township, and consists of one hundred and ten acres of choice land. Our subject it a son of Eli and Elizabeth (Chance) Hoffman, natives of New Jersey, the former of Swedish descent and the latter of English ancestry. They were married in New Jersey, and there the father died in 1845, after having become the parent of twelve children. Three now survive: Oration T., who resides in Sumner County, Kan.; Eunice W. C., the wife of James Sweeney, of Allen's Grove Township; and Hiram N. In 1852, the mother was again married, becoming the wife of James Mickle, a native of New Jersey. The year of their marriage they came to Illinois and settled in Pleasant Plains, Sangamon County, where Mr. Mickle died in 1853. In February, 1854, the mother came to Allen's Grove, Mason County, where the preceding fall she had purchased one hundred and sixty acres. After remaining there about three years, she came to the place where Hiram N. now lives. The latter remained with his mother until he was twenty-three, when he married Miss Sarah A. Cox, the daughter of L. D. and Mary W. (Ryker) Cox. She was born in Jefferson County, Ind., October 20, 1844, and is one of a family of ten children. The following are now living: John J., of Havana; Jared R., Warren L. and Theodore E., all of Jefferson County, Kan.; L. D. of Pennsylvania Township, this county; Mahersa A., the wife of Samuel C. Hoffman, of Nevansville, Iowa, and Mrs. Hoffman. The union of our subject and his wife has resulted in the birth of eleven children, nine of whom are now living, namely: Clara L., the wife of Charles Tomlin, of Tazewell County; Ezra R., who married Miss Belle Marts and lives in Jefferson County, Kan., Lorenzo C., Sarah A., Hiram O., Rebecca M., Reuben W., Elsie B. and Eunice B., all of whom are with the parents. These children have all been given food opportunities for acquiring an education, and also received such home training as will make them honored citizens wherever their lots may be cast. At the time of coming to this state, it was in the primitive condition of nature, and our subject endured all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. When he and his good wife commenced housekeeping, their residence was a one story frame structure, 14x20 feet in dimensions, and divided into two rooms. Now the passer-by will notice an elegant two-story residence, with barns and outbuildings that compare favorably with the best in the township. The fields show care and good management on the part of a thorough and practical farmer, who keeps up with the times in modern agriculture and farm machinery. In their religious connections Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are members of the Baptist Church at Mason City. In politics he is a Democrat, but has always declined public office, preferring to give his time and attention to his private affairs. All enterprises for the good of the township and county receive his warm support, and he is numbered among the substantial men of the community. The family is held in high esteem in social circles, and among the people of the county none are more respected than they. |