Fulton County IN Archives Photo Tombstone.....Hoffman, Emma Schroeder 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Laurie Lewis lewishouse@rtcol.com November 9, 2011, 9:05 am

Cemetery:           Akron IOOF/Akron Cemetery
Name:               Emma Schroeder Hoffman

Date Of Photograph: October 2011
Photo can be seen at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/fulton/photos/tombstones/akronioofakron/hoffman821gph.jpg
Image file size: 142.1 Kb

March 1, 1896 
February 13, 1935

NW Sect. Row 3

Additional Comments:
Thursday, February 14, 1935

A mother and her son were killed instantly and a daughter died later in 
Woodlawn Hospital here and the father was slightly injured when an auto in 
which the family were riding was rammed by an eastbound Chicago and Erie 
railroad passenger train at a crossing two and half miles southeast of Akron 
shortly before 9 o'clock Wednesday evening.
The dead are:
Mrs. Emma [SCHROEDER] HOFFMAN, 40 years old.
DeVon HOFFMAN, aged 10.
Willodean HOFFMAN, aged 12
The injured are:
Ralph HOFFMAN, aged 40, minor cuts and bruises.
The dead and injured are members of the Ralph HOFFMAN family who lived on a 
farm two and half miles southeast of Akron. The Erie railroad bisects the 
Hoffman farm which lies 600 feet from the main road and the home is reached by 
a lane. The lane from the home leads to a bridge over the westbound Erie track 
and onto the east bound track which is on the level of the roadway. The 
Hoffman home is 150 feet from the overhead bridge.
The Hoffman family at the time of the accident were on their way to Akron with 
cream to be delivered to a creamery there. The family also planned to get a 
son DuWayne [HOFFMAN], aged 15, who had been attending a Brethren Sunday 
School party at the home of a friend.
Mr. Hoffman drove his car directly into the path of the Erie passenger train. 
The train was the crack New York Flyer No. 2 which is due here at 8:20 p.m. 
and which was running on time. Mrs. Hoffman was riding in the front seat of a 
Model A Ford sedan with her husband while DeVon and Willodean were in the back 
seat.
Mrs. Hoffman's body was found 150 feet east of the crossing while the body of 
her son was closeby. These bodies were on the south side of the track. The 
body of Willodean was found 200 feet east of the crossing. It had rolled down 
a 35 foot embankment and was lying on the West bound track right of way.
Mr. Hoffman saved his life by jumping from his car. He ran to his home where 
he called his neighbors Harley BUCHER, C. B. HERENDEEN and Charles ILER. These 
men with other neighbors gathered the dead and injured. Mrs. Hoffman and her 
son were taken to an undertaking parlor at Akron.
Miss Willodean Hoffman was taken to a doctor's office in Akron where after an 
examination it was deemed necessary to bring her to the Woodlawn Hospital. The 
girl had suffered a fractured skull and internal injuries. She was brought to 
the hospital at 10 o'clock and died at 1:10 a.m. today without regaining 
consciousness. Mrs. Hoffman died from a fractured skull as did both of the 
children.
The Erie train was in charge of Conductor Newt ROBY, Marion, Ohio, the oldest 
conductor on the Erie and at one time a resident of this city, and Engineer 
William O'LAUGHLIN of Huntington. The train was stopped at the Anthony Cross 
crossing one-half mile east of the private crossing at the Hoffman farm. The 
debris of the Hoffman car was still on the pilot of the engine.
The train crew backed to the Hoffman crossing where they rendered all aid that 
they could to the stricken family. The train did not leave until nearly an 
hour after the accident had occurred. Erie officials from Huntington came to 
the scene of the tragedy immediately.
Sheriff Boyd PETERSON and Coroner Dean STINSON were called to the scene of the 
accident. In the presence of Sheriff Peterson and a neighbor Hoffman said, "I 
don't know how I got out. I did not hear the train whistle or I did not see 
the train until I was ready to jump." Hoffman should have been familiar with 
the movements of the Erie passenger trains.
Hoffman was a fireman on the Erie for 14 years retiring two years ago to go 
onto the farm after his father Charles HOFFMAN died. He was in charge of the 
local engine which turned here. The accident is is believed was caused by a 
fog which blanketed the territory or to vapor which had collected on the glass 
of the car which thus obstructed Hoffman's vision. The view of the Hoffman 
crossing however is unobstructed.
Mr. Hoffman was born and reared on the farm where the tragedy occurred which 
claimed the lives of three members of his family. He had lived in Huntington 
until two years ago. DeVon and Willodean were born while the Hoffman family 
resided in Huntington.
Willodean was born on July 28, 1922 and DeVon on November 2, 1924. Mrs. 
Hoffman was born in Michigan on March 1, 1896 and came to Akron 17 years ago. 
Her maiden name was SCHROEDER. The Hoffman family are members of the United 
Brethren Church at Akron. The funeral arrangements have not been completed.
Coroner Dean STINSON plans to hold his inquest within a few days possibly 
after the funeral of the three victims of the accident. At that time members 
of the train crew and Mr. Hoffman will be questioned as will others who 
arrived at the scene a short time after the tragedy occurred.



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