Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 1309:

HOFFMAN, GEORGE - engine inspector for the Wabash Railroad, is another of the efficient men whom the above mentioned corporation has gathered among its employees. For some years he has been stationed at the round house in Springfield, where he has proven his worth and demonstrated his thorough understanding of mechanics. He was born in Erie, Pa., January 4, 1850, and belongs to the well known family of Hoffman, of whom so many representatives appear in this volume. Mr. Hoffman was educated in the public schools of Erie, but in 1865, left to become fireman on the Pennsylvania Railroad. On December 1, 1866, his ability was recognized by promotion to be engineer, but in 1877, being in the strike of that year, he came west, and the following year entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton as engineer, running out of Bloomington. November 9th of that year removing to Springfield he entered into the employ of the Wabash Railroad, first as engine "tramer," then as night foreman, later becoming stationary engineer, and in 1908 was given his present responsible position, for which he is so well fitted.

On February 12, 1882, Mr. Hoffman was married in Erie, Pa., to Bridge Kerfy, of that city. They are members of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Their children are as follows: Ella, at home; Lucy, a teacher in the Enos public shool; Lillian, George and Helen, all at home. Mrs. Hoffman died in 1896, leaving behind her a sorrowing family, for she was a devoted wife and mother and a kind and sympathetic neighbor.

Mr. Hoffman is a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, being a devout Roman Catholic, in political faith a Democrat, and belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, which he joined in 1867, the order of Maccabees and Yeomen of America. John Hoffman the father of George Hoffman, was a German by birth, who came to the United States in 1844, locating first at Lyons, N. Y., where he worked on the Erie Canal, but later went to Erie, where he died. His wife who bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Collins, was also born in German, but came to the United States in girlhood. Her death also occurred at Erie. There were thirteen children in this family, of whom George Hoffman is the only one surviving.