BIOGRAPHIES: John P. HOFFMAN, Barron, 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 16 August 2000 ==================================================================== John P. Hoffmann, superintendent of the Inderrieden Canning Co.'s plant at Barron, was born in Manitowoc County, August 24, 1866, son of Charles and Mary (Vanderbloemen) Hoffmann. The father was a native of Germany, who came to America in 1854, locating in Michigan where he was engaged for some time in railroad construction work. He then engaged in farming near Manitowoc, Wis., buying 80 acres of wild land without buildings and away from any road. The prospect was dreary, but he had little money and was unable to purchase an improved place. In time he developed a farm and his latter years were spent in comparative comfort. His death occurred about 1894. His wife, Mary, was born in Holland, came to this country in 1850, her parents, like the Hoffmanns, settling on land near Manitowoc, Wis., where they developed a farm. She died in 1878. John P. Hoffmann was reared on the home farm and acquired a common school education. At the age of 17 he began an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade under Daniel Boehmer of Manitowoc, with whom he served three years. In 1890 he started out for himself as a builder and contractor and was thus engaged until 1899. He then entered the employ of the Vaudrieul Canning Co. at Two Rivers, Wis., and remained with that concern subsequently for nine years. He then became superintendent at Rice Lake for the Waukesha Canning Co., which, after a while, went into the receivers' hands and was later taken over by the Inderrieden Canning Co. of Chicago. Mr. Hoffman remained with the latter company for a year at Rice Lake and was then transferred to Barron, where he has been general superintendent of their plant since 1912. He was married Nov. 12, 1888, to Catherine Neuman, who was born in Missouri, July 11, 1870, daughter of Philip and Barbara Neuman, later residents of Two Rivers, Wis., where Mrs. Neuman is still living, Mr. Neuman being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann are the parents of seven children: Mary, born Aug. 15, 1889; Clara, May 14, 1891; Louis, Sept. 6, 1893; Josephine, Jan. 17, 1895; Philomena, March 6, 1898; John, Sept. 18, 1900; and Gertrude, May 29, 1902. Mary is now Mrs. Adolph Berg of Maple Grove Township, Barron County. Clara is the wife of Lawrence Hessel of Cameron, Wis. Louis resides in Barron, where he is warehouse foreman for the Inderrieden Canning Co. He served in the world war, being inducted Aug. 2, 1918, and was sent to Camp Taylor, Ky., where he was trained, and was appointed sergeant, attached to Battery F, First Regiment, F. A. R. D. He was discharged Dec. 13, 1918. Josephine is now Sister Catherine in the St. Francis convent at Green Bay, Wis. Philomena and Gertrude are residing at home with their parents. John, who was graduated from St. Lawrence College, Fond du Lac County, Wis., now resides at home and is employed by his father in the canning factory. The family are members of the Catholic parish at Barron. In politics, Mr. Hoffman is a democrat he is secretary of his parish and is fraternally affiliated wth the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Foresters. Mrs. Hoffmann has five brothers and two sisters living, namely: John, Philip, George, Joseph, Julius, Elizabeth and Mary. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pg. 107.