BIOGRAPHY: George S. and William H. HOFFMAN, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, 
Pennsylvania.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, 
pages 439-440
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 HOFFMAN SONS. - GEORGE S. AND WILLIAM H. HOFFMAN, - Lewistown, Mifflin 
county, Pa., are sons of William B. and Frances (Strunk) Hoffman, and their 
fathers' successors as dealers in lumber, coal, wood, and building 
materials. Wilhelm Hoffman, the great-grandfather of these brothers, came to 
American from his native place, Hesse Cassel, Germany, in colonial times. 
His son, Christian Hoffman, served in the United States army through the war 
of 1812. He was a carpenter, and resided first in Carlisle, and afterwards 
in Lewistown, Pa. He had a family of four children, one of whom, a daughter, 
died aged seven years; the others were: William B.; Frederick J.; and 
Christian J. William B. Hoffman, father of the "Hoffman Sons," was born in 
1812, at Carlisle, Pa. He attended school there until he was about twelve, 
when his parents removed to Lewistown. In the new home, he went to school 
for a short time, and then learned carpentry with his father, with whom he 
worked until he reached his majority. He then became a contractor and 
builder on his own account, and was thus engaged until 1860, when he went 
into the lumber business, and in 1864 added the retail coal trade, 
continuing to combine the two interests until 1867. His next change was to 
relinquish the lumber trade, and add a flour, feed and grain business to his 
dealings in coal. In this form the business was continued during the 
remainder of his life. Mr. Hoffman was one of the pioneer contractors and 
builders, and one of the first in the lumber trade in Lewistown. Without 
capital to start upon, except his own strong arm, clear judgment and 
cheerful determination, he made his way through life, established a 
reputation for fairness and punctuality in meeting his engagements, and 
amassed a well-merited competency. He was not only active and enterprising 
in the conduct of his own affairs, but was public-spirited and serviceable 
as a citizen. He was a member of the borough council of Lewistown, and of 
the school board; he also served as chief burgess. He was for years a deacon 
in the Evangelical Lutheran church, of Lewistown.
  In 1840, William B. Hoffman married Frances Strunk, of Lancaster county, 
Pa. Of their four children, one Ellen Monemia, died at the age of seven; 
their survivors are: Henry C., of Milroy, Pa., married Hattie Blymeyer, and 
has three children; George S.; and William H. William B. Hoffman died May 
14, 1872. His wife, who was born in June, 1816, died January 18, 1896. Her 
parents were George and Susan (Coldren) Strunk. Their children were: Frances 
(Mrs. Hoffman); Elizabeth (Mrs. Isaac Sides); John, married Mrs. Wakefield, 
a widow; Harriet, wife of Rev. Mr. Bland; Henry C., married Fanny Taylor; 
William; Edward B., married Amelia Cassel, of Colon, Mich.; George, married 
Mary Schul; Joseph, married Letitia Owens; Mary (Mrs. Joseph Durst); 
Rudolph, married Ellen Bair; and Albert R., married Catherine Alexander. 
Mrs. Susan Strunk died, and Mr. Strunk was married again, to Sarah 
Alexander, a widow; they had two children: Ella; and Jane.
  George S. and William H. Hoffman both received their early education in 
the common schools, and both took an academic course at Lewistown Academy. 
George S. Hoffman, who was born January 4, 1843, in Lewistown, was for six 
years after the completion of his school education clerk for Mr. F. J. 
Hoffman, his uncle. He then became a partner with this father and brothers 
in the firm of Hoffman & Sons, dealers in coal.  In 1870, he and his 
brother, William H. Hoffman, became jointly interested in the sale of grain 
and coal. At the time of their father's death, in 1872, they succeeded to 
his business, then arrived on in the south ward of Lewistown, where they 
continued it until 1889. But, losing much of their stock and other property 
by the flood in October of that year, they removed to the premises which 
they now occupy, where they have established a large and prosperous trade in 
lumber, coal &c. George S. Hoffman is decided in his support of Republican 
principles, serving the party with zeal and activity. He has been chairman 
of the Republican county committee, and has served the township in various 
offices, among them the important posts of councilman, chief burgess and 
president of the school board. He was elected to the State legislature in 
1884, in a strongly Democratic district, and was member of the legislative 
committees on agriculture, manufactures, printing and public buildings. His 
sound and clear judgment, combined with a manner dignified, but unassuming, 
gave his view weight among his colleagues.
  Neither of the partners is married. Hon. George S. Hoffman and his eldest 
brother, Henry C. Hoffman, are members in good standing of Lewistown Lodge, 
No. 97, I.O.O.F., of which the former was for six years secretary. He is, 
like his father, faithful in his attendance upon the services of the 
Evangelical church of Lewistown. All the brothers are members of the same 
denomination.