BIOGRAPHIES: Jacob Peter HOFFMAN, Prairie Farm, Barron County, WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Vic Gulickson 15 August 2000 ==================================================================== Jacob Peter Hoffman, miller, merchant and farmer, ranks well among the leading and substantial men of Prairie Farm Village. He was born in Jackson Township, Washington County, Wis., Nov. 15, 1851, the son of Peter and Catherine (Smith) Hoffman. These good people were born in the Rhine region in Germany, and were there reared and married. They came to this country as young people, being just 31 days on the water. They settled on a farm in the woods in Jackson Township, Washington County, this state, and here started to establish their fortunes. Milwaukee, their trading point, was twenty-six miles away, and he often made the trip there afoot, bringing home provisions on his back. In time he built up a good farm. He took his part in the affairs of the community and served for some twenty years as clerk of his school district. He was also active in the German Lutheran Church. Jacob Peter was born in a log cabin on his father's farm, and attended a log schoolhouse in the neighborhood. This was a real pioneer school, built by the early settlers with their own hands. The benches were hewed out of rough logs, and all the furnishings were most primitive. When he was a young man his father bought a flour mill at Young America, Washington County, Wis. There young Jacob Peter learned the milling trade. In 1876 he decided to start out for himself. He came to Chippewa Falls, in Chippewa County, this state, on the railroad, and then walked to Rice Lake, where he secured a homestead. This he sold some time later. The first winter he worked in the woods. In the spring of 1877 he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co. in their mill at Rice Lake, acting as second miller, and having charge of the establishment nights. In the fall of 1877 he was sent to Prairie Farm, to take charge of the Knapp, Stout & Co. mill. He remained in this employ for nearly eighteen years. In 1893 the Prairie Farm Milling Co. was organized, took over the mill, and converted it into a roller mill, of which Mr. Hoffman remained in charge. He was the president of the company, F. F. Tibbetts was vice-president, and George E. Scott, the merchant, was secretary and treasurer. In 1900, Mr. Hoffman sold out to Mr. Scott, and engaged in the general mercantile business at Prairie Farm, with a flour and feed establishment in connection. The firm name was J. P. Hoffman & Son. In 1910 the place was burned down, and Mr. Hoffman did not resume the business. In the meantime, he had purchased a farm in Section 27, Prairie Farm Township, and had moved his family on it. There he lived and farmed while in business in the village. He had a good place, which he brought to an excellent stage of development. In 1914 he sold out and moved to the village, where he erected the pleasant home where he now lives. In 1891, Mr. Hoffman helped to establish the Prairie Farm Co-operative Creamery Association, and served for some years as its treasurer. He also has other interests. He has been prominent in the endeavor to secure railroad facilities for the village. He and his family are loyal in their support of the Evangelical Church, and Mr. Hoffman has been clerk of its Sunday School for some twenty years. Fraternally, he is a member of the Maccabees. He has done his duty in every way as a good citizen and is held in the highest regard. Mr. Hoffman was married July 14, 1879, at Hokicon, in Dodge County, this state, to Louisa Weisensale, who was born in Kliman Township, Dodge County, this state, Feb. 13, 1854, daughter of Martin and Fredericka (Lindemur) Weisensale, natives of Saxony, Germany, who came to America in 1853 and settled in Dodge County. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have one son, Louis E., who was born in Prairie Farm Township, May 5, 1880, attended the local schools, and is now a prominent lumberman of Clara City, South Dakota. He married Eva C. Roemhild and they have one child, Floyd L. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 825-826.