HoffmanHistory
Home

 

 

 wpe3.jpg (11514 bytes)

 

Little is known about the origins of our Hoffman ancestors - other than they were from Germany. Based on information that has been researched, some speculative information has come to light in recent days, however, speculation is just that - speculation. As continued research progresses, we hope to find more information on our Hoffman family.

The purpose of this website is to share the information we have about our Hoffman immigrant ancestor, and hopefully, someone out there can add pieces to our puzzle on our Hoffman family.

What we Know

Oscar Hoffman, our immigrant ancestor, was born on October 15, 1834, a couple days from New York City, according to the family stories. The censuses between 1860 and 1910 show various places of birth from "at sea", "New York, and "Germany". Oscar was adopted shortly after coming to America by Moses and Mary Cadwallader from McConnelsville, Morgan County, Ohio. According to a letter written by Oscar's granddaughter, Hazel Linville Wollerman, Oscar's parents were friends with the Cadwalladers. Based on that information, we are hopeful we can find more information on Oscar's parents.

We have been able to place Moses and Mary Cadwallader in Tiffin between 1830 and 1837. They then appear in McConnelsville, Ohio on the 1940 census. A letter in the Tiffin, Ohio post office addressed to a "Frederick or Philip" Hoffman is listed in the July, 1837 newspaper requesting someone to claim it. We believe Philip was Oscar's father, but have found no proof - only circumstantial evidence.

Frederick Hoffman and his family came to the USA from Meisenheim Germany in the summer of 1833 and stayed in Baltimore until the fall.  They met William Lang's family aboard the ship. William Lang was a friend (and the same age) to Frederick's son John. According to an historical document from 1880 that William Lang wrote, Frederick Hoffman's family arrived in Tiffin, Ohio and opened the first German Inn and held the first German Christmas party at the Inn in 1833. We have found and copied the deed that was indeed signed on December 24, 1933.

Is is any coincidence Oscar named one of his son's William Lang Hoffman? We don't know. We do know, however, that Frederick had a brother name Philip born the same year as a Philip Hoffman that arrived in Baltimore on September 30 of 1933. Could this be Oscar's father? Is this why Frederick stayed in Baltimore when he arrived in the states instead of immediately traveling to Tiffin? Hopefully, we can soon find the answers.

During the past year, Hoffman cousins from Oscar's line have been able to "meet"  - thanks to the internet! Information about Oscar has been shared and cousins have reunited. As we continue to find more information about Oscar, we will post it here to share with all of Oscar's descendants.

One other tidbit of information. Oscar had an older sister that was adopted by a family in Tiffin, Ohio. Nothing is known of her. If we can find the ship manifest, we can possibly find other Hoffman relatives!

Thanks go to Don Mason and Fred Wollerman for their very special contributions to the Hoffman family history. A very special thanks to Jim Hoffman for following me around Ohio to the libraries, deed offices, and more in search of Oscar's parents.

 

Family Stories

The Hoffman family story of Oscar's youth is a fascinating one. A number of family members have shared the story of Oscar going with the Cadwalladers out West with the 49's. Because Oscar had similar features to the indians, he was accepted by the indians and sent ahead of the group to make friends with the indians. Our cousin Don Mason tells a story of Oscar being captured at one point and trading his red vest for his freedom. My Aunt Annis and father tell me a story of Oscar taking a picture of Sitting Bull. According to my Aunt Annis, Grandma Cook (Edith Hoffman Cook) took her to the library at Columbus University to see the photograph, where it hung back in the 1940s. Hopefully, we can find the photograph.

Important Links

http://www.handfamily.org/xxwillis.htm   - Annis Cheadle's Family Information

Hoffman Pictures

wpe4.jpg (141857 bytes)

With the assistance of a number of Hoffman descendants, we have put the names with the pictures. To the best of our knowledge, the names are correct. I'm thinking this picture was taken sometime between 1900 and 1910.

Oscar and Annis (Cheadle) Hoffman, Edith (Hoffman Cook) w/ Richard in back, Oscar and Frank Howard Cook, Alice Hoffman Linville, Sarah (Carter) Hoffman & Lyman Hoffman w/ Helen and Lawrence in front; Ruth Cook and unknown man behind; Louis Linville holding daughter Hazel (Linville) Wollerman; Harlen Hoffman, Magdalena and Elisha Hoffman in back, Infront of Harlan is Elisha & Magdalena's daughter Annis, William Lang Hoffman, and Elisha & Magdalena's daughter Frances.

Notes: Edith's husband, Frank Harvey Cook, does not appear to be in the picture. 

Other Pictures of Oscar:

 ggg grandpa hoffman and g grandma sells.jpg (536420 bytes)       oscarphiliphoffman.jpg (673156 bytes)      HoffmanMaterialDonMason006.jpg (260617 bytes)