LEWIS F. HOFFMAN, [pages 1286-1287] of Randolph township, Montgomery county, Ohio, is a son of one of the early pioneers. His ancestors were of strong Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. His great-grandfather came to the United States from Germany in about 1750, when he was sixteen years of age. The tradition is that two brothers came to American at that time, and that their services were sold to pay their passage across the sea, as was often the case in those early days.
George Hoffman, grandfather of Lewis F., was born June 21, 1775, was married in Perry county, Pa., to Elizabeth Limpard, and their children were as follows: Philip, Joseph, John, Catherine, Barbara, Martha, Jesse, Lewis, Levi and George. The father, George Hoffman, was a farmer and also manufacturer of woolen goods in Pennsylvania, and in 1819 removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, with his wife and children, making the journey with a team on five horses and a big wagon. He settled in Randolph township, one mile south of Harrisburg, where he bought land. He cleared this land from the woods, and experienced all the hardships and deprivations of pioneer life, becoming a most substantial farmer, owning 300 acres of productive land. George Hoffman lived to be nearly sixty-four years of age, dying April 1, 1839. He was a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was among the first to preach at Concord, before there was any church building erected in that part of the country, the meetings being held in his house. He was cone of the founders of the church at Concord, and was accustomed to preach in all parts of the county. He died on his farm, regretted by all who knew him as a man of great worth and usefulness.
Joseph Hoffman, father of Lewis F., was born in Pennsylvania in 1801, and was about eighteen years of age when he drove the team brought to Ohio in 1819. Receiving his education in the subscription schools of his youthful days, he was brought up to farm labor and became a good farmer and business man. In his early life he was a teamster, and hauled flour, whisky, etc. His first wife was Sarah Worman, and by her he had the following children: Eliza, David, Anna, Levina, Solomon, Mahala, Jess, Levi and Sarah. After his first marriage Mr. Hoffman settled in Randolph township, on 106 acres of land, which he bought of his father, and by toil and economy he added to this farm of eighty acres, so that he had a good farm of 186 acres, which he partially cleared from the woods, and upon which he erected a comfortable dwelling. After the death of his first wife he married Mary Fry, by whom he had two children, Lewis F. and William R. Mr. Hoffman was a practical and successful farmer. He also followed teaming to Cincinnati, and afterward to Dayton for some time. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics was in his early life an old-line whig and later a re publican. His two sons, Lewis F. and William R., entered the one hundred days’ service, in company A. One Hundred and Forty-seventh regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. Their time having expired, William R. re-enlisted for one year, and died while in service, at Columbus, about sixty-two years, leaving the record of a busy and useful career.
Lewis F. Hoffman was born on his father’s farm, November 15, 1842, and received the common-school education of the time, which was of a higher order than that obtainable in the boyhood of his father or of his grandfather. On May 2, 1864, he enlisted in company A, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, for one hundred days, and was discharged from the service, by reason of expiration of his term of enlistment, in August, 1864. His service was rendered at Arlington Heights, and on the farm of the Confederate leader, Gen. Lee, and he saw quite active service during Gen. Early’s raid on Washington.
On September 24, 1867, he married Miss Mary A. Maugens, who was born January 10, 1847, near Tippecanoe, Miami county, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Olive (Jenkins) Maugens, the former of whom was born in Frederick county, Md., of German ancestors. John Maugens was a son of David and Catherine (Blickenstaff) Maugens. The Maugens family is an ancient one in Maryland. The children of David and Catherine Maugens were Elizabeth, John and Mary. David Maugens was a well-to-do farmer, and lived to a great age. John Maugens came to Ohio when a young man, was married in Miami county, and his children were David K. and Mary A. Mr. Maugens, who was a capable and enterprising citizen, died in Miami county when his daughter, afterward Mrs. Hoffman, was nine months old. Olive Jenkins, his wife, was a daughter of Esquire David Jenkins, a pioneer of Miami county. David Jenkins was twice married, his first wife being Rosetta Russell, and his second wife Ann Pierson. Mr. Jenkins was a well-known pioneer and a justice of the peace for forty years. In early times the elections were held at his house.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman settled on the home farm of fifty-four acres, which he has greatly improved and brought to an advanced condition of productiveness, and upon which he is engaged in the raising of nursery stock. His children are as follow: Homer K., born November 10, 1868; Theodore C., born November 10, 1871; Albert, born May 31, 1876; and Howard, born September 7, 1882. In politics Mr. Hoffman is a republican, and has six times been elected trustee of Randolph township, serving nine years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Hoffman takes great interest in educational affairs, and has served on the school board for six years. Fraternally he was formerly a member of St. John lodge, of the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of Little York lodge, No. 696, I. O. O. F., and has filled all the chairs. Mr. Hoffman is a progressive and capable citizen, standing high in the estimation of his friends and neighbors.
