BIO: John HOFFA Jr., Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  261

  JOHN HOFFA, JR., a grain dealer and coal merchant of Coburn, Centre 
county, is one of the most energetic business men of that thriving 
town.  He was born in Kelly township, Union county, Penn., April 4, 
1870, a son of Cyrus Hoffa, who is a wealthy and prominent business man 
of that locality, the present manager of the Buffalo Milling Co., of 
Lewisburg.  The paternal grandfather, Jacob Hoffa, was a native of 
Berks county, Penn., where he worked at his trade of cabinet making, 
and also engaged in the lumber business.  He died in Reading, at the 
advanced age of eighty-two years.
  Cyrus Hoffa was born in 1838, about four miles east of Milton, Penn., 
and was the fourth in order of birth in the family of four sons and one 
daughter.  He secured a good education, being a student for a time at 
Gettysburg College.  On reaching man's estate he married Miss Margaret 
Auten, a daughter of Robert Auten, and to them were born seven 
children: Regina, at home; Franklin, who died at the age of two years; 
Carrie, wife of Dr. Ralph Steans, a practicing physician of 
Mifflinburg, Penn., Hattie A. and Maize E., at home; John, the subject 
of this sketch; and Robert A., bookkeeper in a bank of Lewisburg.  The 
mother of these children departed this life in 1872, and was buried in 
Fallmer Church cemetery, in Northumberland county, Penn.  For his 
second wife the father wedded Lizzie Angel.  After his first marriage 
Mr. Hoffa located upon the farm where our subject was born, and where 
he still makes his home.  Upon the place was standing a gristmill of 
forty-barrel capacity, which he operated, and he later became 
identified with the grain business at Lewisburg, carrying same on in 
connection with his farming and milling interests.  He is connected 
with other enterprises in Lewisburg, although he still makes his home 
in Kelly township, being director of the Union National Bank, and also 
of the Milton Trust Company of Milton, Penn.  Prominent in milling 
circles, he is the efficient secretary of the State Millers 
Association, and is one of the most substantial and reliable business 
men of Union county.  His political support is always given the men and 
measures of the Democratic party.  In May,1896, he made a trip to 
Europe, spending several months in visiting its principal cities and 
points of interest.
  The primary education of John Hoffa was secured in the district 
schools, after which he attended a select school at Bloomsburg, Penn., 
for a time, and completed his education by a business course in the 
Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N.Y.  During his vacations 
he aided in the work of the home farm, and while still in his "teens" 
engaged in the flour and feed business in Lewisburg.  In August, 1891, 
he came to Coburn to take charge of the grain elevator for the Buffalo 
Milling Co., of Lewisburg, and has since been identified with the 
business interests of the place.  He is also successfully engaged in 
dealing in coal on his own account, and although young in years is one 
of the most energetic and enterprising business men of the community.
  On January 17, 1892, in Mifflinburg, Penn., Mr. Hoffa was united in 
marriage with Miss Altha M. Reedy, a native of Buffalo Cross Roads, 
Penn., and a daughter of Levi Reedy.  To this union has been born a 
daughter, Margaret, March 23, 1895.  Mr. and Mrs. Hoffa are both 
members of the Presbyterian Church, and hold a high position in social 
circles.  Mr. Hoffa is a strong Democrat in politics, and cast his 
first Presidential vote for Cleveland in 1892.