M[artin]. P. HOFFMAN resides on section 18, and is one of the leading agriculturist of Middle Fork Township. He was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, October 15, 1841. His parents were Absalom HOFFMAN, a native of Ohio, and Nancy (CONRAD) HOFFMAN, a native of Indiana. He was the eldest of eleven children. When he was quite young his parents removed to Tippacanoe County, Indiana, where he was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools.

During the late [Civil] war he enlisted August 8, 1862, in Company G. Seventy-second Mounted Infantry, and participated in the battle of Chickamauga and all the historical engagements from Chattanooga to Atlanta. He was honorably discharged July 6, 1865 [mustered out of service on July 24, 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee], and returned to his home.

In 1870 he came to Ringgold County, and settled upon his present farm in Middle Fork Township. It was then in a wild unimproved state. He now owns 440 acres of land, and it is recognized as one of the best farms in the township. He has a good well-furnished house, out-buildings for stock, a good orchard, and is extensively engaged in stock-raising and feeding.

He was married December 19, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth BISHOP, born in Montgomery County, Indiana, and daughter of John BISHOP. Mr. HOFFMAN is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics is a Republican.

NOTE: Martin P. HOFFMAN died on April 12, 1915. Elizabeth (BISHOP) HOFFMAN was born on December 28, 1831, and died April 25, 1922. Martin and Elizabeth were interred at Middle Fork Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Absalom HOFFMAN, who has been identified with the interests of Tippecanoe County Indiana many years, was born in Ross County Ohio January 20, 1815, a son of Jonas HOFFMAN, who was a native of Kentucky, and an early settler of Ross County.

Our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits until fourteen years of age when he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed several years.

He was married 08 Nov 1840 to Miss Nancy CONRAD, a daughter of Joseph CONRAD, deceased, and of the eleven children born to this union eight still survive: Martin A., who was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion; William, David, Owen, Edward, Sophia, Mary and Easter. Two sons, named Silas J. and Absalom, died after reaching maturity.

Mr. HOFFMAN came with his family to this county in the fall of 1840, and settled on section 28, Lauramie Township, where he has since made his home. His land when he settled on it was almost entirely unimproved, but by hard work he has brought his farm under a fine state of cultivation. He has hauled much grain to LaFayette, and one time took a load of corn there which he sold for 12-1/2 cents a bushel, receiving for the load just 75 cents less than he was paid for hauling a load of pork for another party the same year. He sold wheat there for 30 and 35 cents per bushel, receiving his pay in trade. He received $35 for a horse; sold cows for $6 each, and calves for $1. He bought eighty acres of land at one time, paying for the same but $40. He has met with success in his agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 116 acres. In connection with his general farming, he devotes some attention to stock-raising. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and among the respected citizens of Lauramie Township.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 345, 1887.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana Pp. 524-27. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago. 1888.

American Civil War Soldiers Database, ancestry.com

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z