In the year 1885 there arrived in Detroit a young man of thirty years who was destined to heroine a prominent figure ia connection with the coal trade of the city both as a mine operator and as a shipper. Back of bis initial experience in business here there were many interesting and sometimes sieitiag experiences, for he had been a cabin boy on the high seas, had lived ia Mexico and tbe southwest and had been with Custer in his rampnigning attains the Indians. Jules O. Hoffman was here in the state of New York, January 30, 1855, his parents being Frederick nnd Mario (Liebel) Hoffman, who had two children, and there were also two half sisters. The father waa born in tbe slate of New York and devoted his life to merchandising.

In the acquirement of his education Jules Q. Hoffman attended the public and high schools to the age of seventeen years, when, ambitious to provide for his own support, he began life as a cabin boy on the high seas. Later he went to Mexico, spending a short time in the southern republic, and then following Horace Greeley's advice, be went west, spending teu years beyond tho Mississippi. For two years be was a scout under General Custer and this gave him broad experience ia life on tbe plains and particularly in the warfare methods of the Indians. He was also at one time engaged ia the cattle business ia New Mexico and eventually came to Detroit, where be arrived ia 18855. It was not long afterward that he was married and turned his attention to tbe coal trade here, developing a business of substantial proportions and winning gratifying prosperity as the years passed. He not only engaged in shipping but also in the operation of coal mines, and his business affairs were most wisely and successfully conducted. On the 21st of August, 1885, Mr. Hoffman was married to Miss Marie K. Dubois, representative of a prominent Detroit family, and they became parents of two daughters, Mary C, who is the wife of Elwood Croul; and Adele C, and one son, Jules G. Jr. The last named was born April 21, 1995, in Detroit, and after attending the public and high schools was graduated from the latter M a member of the class of 1912. On the 1st of November of the same year he became identified with the First National Bank, Sequently he resigned and became associated with E. E. Maccrone & Company, brokers, remaining with them until April 17, 1917, when he enlisted for service in the World war, continuing on active duty until April 17, 1919, when he was discharged with the rank of lieutenant. He again took up the brokerage business, in which he has continued and has also taken over the management of the coal business and the interests of the estate of his father.

Mr. Hoffman was prominent in Masonic circles, attaining the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He served as master of Union Lodge and also as high priest of King Cyrus Chapter. He was likewise well known in club circles, belonging to the Detroit Athletic Club, the St. Clair Fishing and Shooting Club and the Audubon Club. He gave stanch support to the republican party, at all times keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day and standing ready to support any project which he deemed of value to the city, the commonwealth or the country. He whs secretary of the police board during the years 1898 and 1899, but be never sought to figure prominently in public life, preferring to concentrate his energies and attention upon bis business affairs, which were wisely and carefully directed. He rejoiced in his success by reason of what it enabled him to do for his family and he always found his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare and comfort of his wife and children. It waa on the 6th of June, 1920, that he was called to his final rest.

Detroit in history and commerce: a careful compilation of the history ... By James J. Mitchell 1891