George W. Hoffman
Oct. 20, 1809-Jan. 6, 1886
Niles Republican, Thursday, January 7, 1886, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Death of Geo. W. Hoffman
The many friends in this city and county of Geo W. Hoffman will regret to hear of the death, in Detroit, yesterday morning, of that estimable gentleman. Mr. Hoffman had been in poor health for a year or more, and his death is no surprise. Mr. Hoffman was one of the earliest residents of Niles, having settled here in 1833, and spent the best part of his life in this city. He was a leading man here in the early days in society, in business, and in the Presbyterian church, of which he was a Ruling Elder for many years. He was a noble, good, pure, true man, in the best sense. We have neither the time nor the facts at hand to give a notice of his life that would do justice to his memory, but hope to have a sketch of his life for next week's paper. His remains will be brought here this evening, and will be deposited in Silver Brook cemetery tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. The funeral will take place from the residence of Mr. W.G. Ferson.
Niles Republican, Thursday, January 14, 1886, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Death of Geo. W. Hoffman
Yesterday morning George W. Hoffman, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Detroit, breathed his last, after a long and exceedingly painful illness, which he bore with incredible fortitude and patience. Mr. Hoffman, who was one of the Hoffman's whose name is historic, was a son of Lieut. Col. Hoffman, who served with distinction in the war of 1812-1815, and was a brother of Gen Wm. Hoffman who was several time breveted for gallantry during the Mexican war, who was Commissary General of prisoners during the war of the rebellion, and who died about a year ago. Mr. Hoffman was born in New York City, Oct. 20, 1809, but while very young accompanied his father to Sackett's Harbor, N.Y., where the latter was stationed. Col. Hoffman was ordered from Sackett's Harbor to Sault Ste. Marie, with part of the second United States Infantry, and thence in 1822 to Mackinac, and was accompanied by his entire family. In 1824, Mr. Hoffman left Mackinac, and as a civil employe of the government went to Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis, Mo, where he remained until 1826, when he was sent to Fort Leavenworth, at that time 25 miles west of any white man's cabin. he was sent back to Jefferson Barracks in 1827, and then was in 1833 transferred to Fort Winnebago, Minn., where at the time were stationed Maj. (since then General) Twiggs, Gen. (then Captain) Hardey, and Second Lieut. Jefferson Davis, all of the first United States Infantry. In 1830, Mr. Hoffman returned to Sackett's Harbor where his father was again stationed, and here terminated his military experience. In the spring of 1831, Mr. Hoffman went to New York and purchased a stock of goods, which he brought with him to this State, transporting them by water through Lakes Erie, St. Clair, Huron and Michigan and up the St. Joseph river to Niles, where for many years he was a prominent business man. In 1857 Mr. Hoffman came to Detroit as Cashier of the Detroit & Milwaukee Railway and remained here until 1866 when he went to New York as secretary of the Corn Exchange Insurance Company. In 1871 he returned to this city as general State agent for the Aetna Fire Insurance Company and representative of several of several other first class companies, retaining these agencies until about three years ago, when he retired from active business. He was married twice, his second wife, who survives him, having been Mrs. Elizabeth R. Hurd, a cousin of Senator Palmer of this city. He also leaves four children, George B. of Yankton, Dakota; Charles W. of Bozeman, Montana; Mrs. Wm. P. Northrup of Buffalo, N.Y. and Miss Carrie H., who makes her home with Mrs. Northrup. He also has two brothers and two sisters who survive him. Mr. Hoffman was long an elder in the Fort Street Presbyterian church and was noted for his kindness of heart, his consistent Christian faith, his charity and uniform consideration for the feelings of others. In no sense of the word a public man, he was one who was so generally known, loved and respected, that his name will long be respected and cherished. The insurance agents of the city will meet at 119 Griswold street at 9:30 this morning to take action concerning his death, and to make the necessary arrangements for attending his funeral, which will take place at the Fort Street Presbyterian Church at 11 o'clock. The remains will, in the afternoon, be taken to Niles for interment. Detroit Free Press, Jan. 7, 1886.
Mr. Hoffman, although he had not resided in this city for nearly thirty years, had been so thoroughly identified with its history, and his visits here, have been so frequent that we almost looked upon him as a citizen temporarily absent. He came to Niles almost before a blow had been struck or the ground broken for the planting of a thriving community, and we are told that from the first, he was anxious that the foundation should be laid deep and broad, that it should be known as a centre of Christianity, morality, education and culture, rather than to become notorious as a fast border town. While he felt a deep interest in all our churches, his chief labors were with the Presbyterians. He was a member of the building committee of that church and was for many years and up to the time of his removal to Detroit a prominent ruling elder. He was seldom absent from any of the meetings and he made his voice to be heard in the prayer circle and in the Sunday school where he was an officer and teacher. His love for the church and for the town never grew cold while life lasted. His feeling address at the semi-centennial celebration of the church and the Sabbath school last March will long be remembered by those who heard it. He was active in the erection of the Union school buildings--in fact took a deep interest in everything which tended to advance the best interests of the town, religious, moral, social or practical. He was Judge of Probate 1840, was clerk of the village 6 terms, Justice of the Peace for many years, and his name will be handed down to posterity associated with our streets, and with several of the additions to our city. His remains arrived from Detroit last Thursday evening, and were conveyed to the house of Wm. G. Ferson, the funeral taking place at 10 o'clock Friday morning, and although no public notice had been given, the parlors we completely filled by the old friends of the deceased. His daughter Lottie and her husband, W.P. Northrup of Buffalo, N.Y. and Mrs. Mary Wheeler Buchanan of Chicago, were present. Mrs. Hoffman was to ill to come.
