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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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Nicklas Hoffman.

Nicklas Hofmann, who owns four hundred acres of excellent land in Prussia township, has been successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising for many years and is well known and highly esteemed throughout Adair county.  He was born in Germany, on the 8th of September, 1843, of the marriage of George and Barbara (Hoffman) Hofmann, who, although of the same name, were not related.  The father was a farmer and stonemason by occupation but after removing to America with his family in 1852 purchased land in La Salle county, Illinois, which he farmed until his demise in 1854.  His wife also passed away in that county.

Nicklas Hofmann was about nine years of age when he accompanied his parents to America and he continued to reside in Illinois until 1872.  While living in that state he followed agricultural pursuits but for one year after his removal to Adair county was employed at Casey on railroad construction, working on a gravel train.  The following year his financial condition was such that he was able to purchase eighty acres of raw prairie land on section 14, Prussia township.  He broke the sod and took up his residence upon his farm, which he brought under cultivation as soon as possible.  He has continued to reside there since and through additional purchases of land has brought his holdings up to four hundred acres.  In 1909 he gave up the active work of the farm and turned the management of his place over to his sons, who carry on general farming and stock-raising, feeding both cattle and hogs.  The farm is excellently improved and as the land is naturally productive, it yields a good annual income.

In 1869 Mr. Hofmann was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Bittner, a daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Engle) Bittner, both of whom were born in Germany.  They emigrated to America in the same year as the parents of our subject and first located in Illinois, but later came to this county and purchased land in Prussia township which the father operated.  Both passed away in this county.  To Mr. and Mrs. Hofmann have been born nine children:  Emma, the wife of Joseph Roberts, a farmer of Walnut township;  John, who is following agricultural pursuits in Prussia township;  William, a carpenter living in Greenfield;  Charles, who is assisting in the operation of the home place;  Herman, a farmer of Prussia township, who married Miss Annie Baker;  Frank and Oscar, who, together with their brother Charles, farm the homestead;  Lucy, the wife of August Ferber;  and Lizzie, the wife of Charles of Charles Kramer.

Mr. Hofmann is a democrat and for two terms served as road supervisor, but he has never been an office seeker.  Both he and his wife hold membership in the German Lutheran church and their influence is always cast on the side of righteousness and justice.  During the many years that he has resided in Adair county Mr. Hofmann has gained the sincere respect of all who have come in contact with him, as he has measured up to high standards of manhood in all relations of life.

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