Person:Nicholas Hoffman (4)

NICHOLAS HOFFMAN (1844-1931)

A year after the death of Barbara, he married her aunt, Louise. They resided in the same Dyer home, until 1884 when they bought a farm north of Dyer (now 215th Street). In addition to working the farm with the help of his children, he operated a small shoe repair shop in his home. (The home was still standing in the 1980's, although surrounded by scores of newer homes on the land where corn and other crops grew.)

Nicholas and the two Louises left the farm in 1908 and moved to 1919 Hart Street in Dyer, where he continued his shoe repair business. They added a kitchen, downstairs bedroom and two upstairs bedrooms. Meanwhile, his son, Johnny, and wife Nora, rented the farm and operated it until 1925. They then bought and occupied the 1919 Hart Street residence. Nicholaus retained one bedroom and storeroom until his death. Alice still retains the original 1816 (when Indiana became a state) title to the property. The house was sold in 1952.

He and Louise are buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, as are many members of the Hoffman family.

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1880 US Census: Nicholas Hoffman Family

 Household:

Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace 
Nicholas HOFFMAN   Self   M   Male   W   35   PRU   Schumaker   PRU   PRU  
Mary HOFFMAN   Wife   M   Female   W   28   IL   Keeping House   PRU   PRU  
Barbara HOFFMAN   Dau   S   Female   W   9   IN   School   PRU   P
Jacob HOFFMAN   Son   S   Male   W   7   IN   School   PRU   PRU  
Mary HOFFMAN   Dau   S   Female   W   6   IN   School   PRU   PRU  
Matilda HOFFMAN   Dau   S   Female   W   3   IN      PRU   PRU  

Note: The wife's name "Mary" is either a census error or part of her given name.

Source Information:

 Census Place St. John, Lake, Indiana 
 Family History Library Film   1254291 
 NA Film Number   T9-0291 
 Page Number   521A