Back to Jakob Hoffer b. 19 June 1875 son of III. Martin Hoffer b. 1832 m. 8 May 1856 Glueckstal/ Od. to Katharina Schlichter 6 Oct 1837, dau. of Friedrich Schlichter and Elizabeth Dorothea Kammerer. Issue: [All born Neudorf / Od. S. Russia]
This information is copyrighted. Copied here with permission.
Hoffer Family Genealogy (M. Hoffer)
Published by the Odessa Digital Library - 3 Jun 1996
http://www.odessa3.org
This document may be freely used for personal, nonprofit
purposes or linked by other WWW sites. It may also be
shared with others, provided the header with copyright
notice is included. However, it may not be republished
in any form without permission of the copyright owner.
Copyright 1995, Marvin C. Hoffer
Greetings to Family, Relatives, and Genealogists:
Traditionally the human animal begins to question his origin only after
becoming older and the best opportunities have passed. I fit that mold; but
began to gather information on the Hoffer family in the mid-50s. This became a
spastic effort until about 1973 when the "Big Search" began for me. This book
is the product of that effort
I had a compulsion to learn the family history quickly and secure photos of
grandparents and aunts and uncles. There are those in each family who are
willing to help, which they did. Others did not care to participate. Without
the able, and the only source, help of my cousins, and aunts and uncles, this
little bit of published history would remain a dream. My thank you to those of
you who made it possible -- you know who you are as you read this. It was a
"once in a lifetime" opportunity and effort.
It has been a long, difficult journey from Germany beginning about 1808 to the
South Russia steppes, the area north of Odessa and the village of Neudorf, to
the Northwest Territories, and the plains of South Dakota and Nebraska in 1898.
In this Hoffer historical sketch I have included photos for the present and
future generations to enjoy and discuss; some information about the Neudorf
Region of South Russia to give the reader a brief understanding about the
struggle and joys in that world; a bit on the origin (although not absolutely
confirmed) of the Hoffer settlers; their German language dialect; some
mythology, songs, sayings and philosophy common to the Neudorf village and the
life of our Hoffer ancestors; plus some bits of lore about our grandparents.
I have tried for accuracy, but the destruction of church records by the Russian
communists and the other impediments to backtracking to Germany has resulted in
some errors. In addition, I have no doubt made some errors in dates, locations,
and name spellings of the persons included herein. Note that some persons could
not, or would not, provide data so I have left blanks for future generations to
complete. I welcome any and all data additions and corrections.
For the record, I am the oldest son of John and Maria Rieger Hoffer. Having
lived in Colorado, Massachusetts, California, North Dakota, and Montana during
the past 25 years has made genealogy a "long-distance" project, but enjoyahle.
This is the first and only family history for our Hoffer family, to my
knowledge. Hopefully some of you will continue to improve and add to it so that
our future families can share in this knowledge. It has been difficult,
frustrating, time-consuming, tedious, expensive, but very satisfying to
complete. "Studie, lernen, und/erfreuen euere Erbschaft." Study, learn, and
enjoy your heritage.
Marvin C. Hoffer
Dedicated to my father - JOHN J. (JOHANN) HOFFER
MARTIN HOFFER was born in 1835 at Neudorf, South Russia*, married Margarete at
Neudorf, South Russia*. He died at Reliance, S.D.* and is believed to be buried
in that area possibly in a Lutheran country church cemetery where the
congregation is now disbanded.
MARGARETE was born 1841 at Neudorf, South Russia*, died at Reliance, S.D.*. It
is believed she was buried there in the same cemetery as Martin Hoffer.
Martin Hoffer's father (name unknown) was born in Germany, and his mother (name
unknown) was born in Russia according to the 1905 South Dakota state census.
Margarete Hoffer's father was born in Germany as was her mother according to
the 1905 S.D. state census.
Martin and Margarete Hoffer came from Neudorf, South Russia in 1901 to an area
near Reliance, S.D. Their post office was Dirkstown, S.D. Martin was 70 years
of age in 1905, so was born in 1835; and Margarete was 64 years of age in 1905,
so was born in 1841.
Martin and Margarete Hoffer were the parents of Jakob Hoffer, my (Marvin Cleo
Hoffer) grandfather.
MICHAEL SCHAEFFER was born, married Christina Ludefell at Neudorf, South
Russia.*
CHRISTINA LUDEFELL
Michael Schaeffer and Christina Ludefell were the parents of Eva Schaeffer
Hoffer, my (Marvin Cleo Hoffer) grandmother.
*Assumed based on limited records, but unconfirmed.
Corn-husking in South Russia
JAKOB HOFFER, born June 19, 1875 at Neudorf, South Russia, married Eva Schaeffer
January 13, 1889 at Neudorf, South Russia. Jakob died December 1, 1951 at Grand
Island, Nebr. and is buried at Grand Island, Nebr.
EVA SCHAEFFER, born August 1, 1876 at Neudorf, South Russia, died June 24, 1960
at Wishek, N.D., buried at Grand Island, Nebr.
Eva Schaeffer Hoffer married Jacob Job in 1957 at Napoleon, N.D. and lived in
Napolean, N.D. until her death.
I. EVA HOFFER born September 15, 1895 at Neudorf, South Russia, married
Claude Frank Drew at Portland Oregon.
CLAUDE FRANK DREW, born at New York, died at Scappose, Oregon. Claude had
two sons by a previous marriage. No children by marriage to Eva Hoffer.
II. JOHN J. HOFFER Please refer to the last family entry at the end of this
book for data.
III. CHRISTINA HOFFER born May 10, 1899 at Reliance, South Dakota, married
Frank Tuenge December 1, 1921 at Bresha, South Dakota. Christina died
February 9, 1988 at Grand Island, Nebraska.
FRANK TUENGE, born at Schlesswig Holstein, Germany in 1878, died April 18,
1962 at Grand Island, Nebr.
Children
A. FRANCIS PAUL TUENGE, born June 11, 1923 at Grand Island, Nebr., married
June Woods in 1947 at Jacksonville, Fla.
JUNE WOODS, born at Elmhurst, Ill.
Children
1. FRANCIS PAUL TUENGE, Jr., born July 19, 1948 at Jacksonville, Fla.,
married Cheryl Rambach at Jacksonville, Florida.
CHERYL RAMBACH
Children
a. TRAVIS TUENGE, born August 25, 1975 at Jacksonville, Florida.
2. RAYMOND MARK TUENGE, born August 15, 1949 at Jacksonville, Fla.,
married Luann Roundtree on at Jacksonville, Florida.
LUANN ROUNDTREE
Children
a. LISA TUENGE, born April 26, 1970 at Jacksonville, Florida.
3. CHARLES KEITH TUENGE, born March 24, 1950 at Jacksonville, Fla.,
married Jackie King at Jacksonville, Fla.
JACKIE KING
4. THOMAS NEAL TUENGE, born September 19, 1956 at Jacksonville, Fla.,
5. KENNETH LAWRENCE TUENGE, born April 18, 1957 at Jacksonville, Fla.,
married Kim Berrington on October 16, 1982 at Jacksonville, Fla.
KIM BERRINGTON
A. FRANCIS PAUL TUENGE, SR., married Violet Estelle on September 1, 1973
at Jacksonville, Fla.
VIOLET ESTELLE, born June 7, 1928 at Jacksonville, Fla.
No Children of This Marriage
B. MARIAN TUENGE, born September 1930 at Grand Island, Nebraska, married
Daniel Wiser at St. Paul, Nebraska.
DANIEL WIESER
Children
Threshing grain by hand in South Russia, slow, hot, and long.
IV. EMMA HOFFER born May 4, 1901 at Reliance, S.D., married Ray Cleland
December 25, 1925 at Chamberlain, S.D.
RAY CLELAND, born October 22, 1892 at Bloomington, Ill., died February 16,
1960 at Chamberlain, S.D., buried at Chamberlain.
Children
A. DONALD EUGENE CLELAND born September 4, 1931 at Chamberlain, S.D.
married Barbara Jean Leiferman September 22, 1952 at Chamberlain, S.D.
Died January 6, 1986 at Pierre, S D., buried in Calvary Cemetary at
Pierre, S.D.
BARBARA JEAN LEIFERMAN, born August 26, 1931 at Chamberlain, S.D.
Children
1. MICHAEL DONN CLELAND, born December 21, 1958 at Sioux Falls, S.D.,
married at Pierre, S.D.
Children
a.
2. GREGARY DONN CLELAND, born October 23, 1962 at Sioux Falls, S.D.
3. CAREY DONN CLELAND, born May 23, 1964 at Sioux Falls, S.D.
4. TIMOTHY DONN CLELAND, born November 27, 1965 at Sioux Falls, S.D.
5. CHRISTOPHER DONN CLELAND, born February 27, 1969 at Sioux Falls,
S.D.
6. JEFFERY DONN CLELAND, born November 27, 1973 at Pierre, S.D.
B. RICHARD DEAN CLELAND born December 11, 1934 at Chamberlain, S.D.,
married Vivian Lee Thomas June l9, 1955 at Kimball, S.D., Divorced
198?
VIVIAN LEE THOMAS, born July 21, 1933 at Kimball, S.D.
Children
1. LORRI LEE CLELAND, born May 4, 1957 at Mitchell, S.D., married
Donald Meager, Divorced
DONALD MEAGER
Children
a. JESSICA LEE MEAGER, born July 26, 1976 at Mitchell, S.D.
1. LORRI LEE CLELAND, married Kevin Swenson
KEVIN SWENSON, born October 20, 1954 at Sioux Falls, S.D.
2. LEAH JO CLELAND, born October 11, 1958 at Mitchell, S.D., married
James V Mahoney January 2, 1982 at Houston, Texas.
JAMES V MAHONEY
B. RICHARD DEAN CLELAND
Children
1. LEASA JENELL CLELAND, born March 19, 1963 at Chamberlain, S.D.
C. FLOYD LEE CLELAND born August 3, 1937 at Chamberlain, S.D., married
Esther Marie Erickson November 25, 1957 at Lake Mills, Wisc.
ESTHER MARIE ERICKSON, born July 19, 1937 at Vivian, S.D.
Children
1. GARY RAY CLELAND, born August 6, 1959 at Wisc.
2. PATRICK RICHARD CLELAND, born March 29, 1961 at Chamberlain, S.D.,
married Dina Mitchell January 24, 1986 at Sturgis, S.D.
DINA MITCHELL, born January 19, 1969
Children
a. AMANDA LEE CLELAND, born April 25, 1986 at Sturgis, S.D.
3. KELLY JAMES CLELAND, born March 2, 1962 at Chamberlain, S.D.,
married Lori Vollmer March 15, 1986 at Sturgis, S.D.
LORI VOLLMER, born September 10, 1961 at Rapid City, S.D.
D. RUTH ELISABETH CLELAND born August 19, 1941 at Chamberlain, S.D.
V. JACOB HOFFER born February 26, 1906 at Reliance, S.D., married Josephine
Rosella Pollock May 4, 19)37 at Grand Island, Nebr.
JOSEPHINE ROSELLA POLLOCK, born March 19, 1415 at St. Paul, Nebr. died in
January of 1978 at Hood River, Oregon.
No Children
V. JACOB HOFFER Married Minerva Rose Sukut July 10, 1982 in Hood River, Ore.
MINERVA ROSE SUKUT, born April 11, 1909 at West Fargo, N.D.
No Children
VI. GEORGE HOFFER, born August 9, 1905 at Reliance S.D., died April 21, 1983
at Oroville, Calif. Buried at Marysville, Calif. Not married
Farm implements advertised in Odessa, South Russia 1890
VII. KATHRYN HOFFER born June 29, 1907 at Reliance, S.D., married Herman Emuel
Wojciechowski November 4, 1931 at Kimball, S.D.
HERMAN EMUEL WOJCIECHOWSKI, born May 31, 1900 at Kimball, S.D., died
September 22, 1984 at Platte, S.D., buried at Platte, S.D.
Children
A. RAYMOND EUGENE WOJCIECHOWSKI born February 8, 1932 at Kimball, S.D.,
married Sharon Kay Holmes February 14, 1964 at Plankington, S.D.
SHARON KAY HOLMES, born September 20, 1944 at Plankington, S.D.
Children
1. STEVEN ALLEN WOJCIECHOWSKI, born January 10, 1965 at Chamberlain,
S.D.
2. DORIS ANN WOJCIECHOWSKI, born July 11, 1967 at Chamberlain, S.D.,
died July 11, 1967.
3. DAVID LEE WOJCIECHOWSKI, born February 1, 1972 at Chamberlain, S.D.
4. DENNIS DAN WOJCIECHOWSKI, born June 3, 1976 at Chamberlain, S.D.
5. JOAN ANGELA WOJCIECHOWSKI, born February 25, 1980 at Chamberlain,
S.D.
B. LAURA MARIE WOJCIECHOWSKI born September 8, 1934 at Kimball, S.D.,
married Donald Matthew Weires November 23, 1953 at Kimball, S.D.
DONALD MATTHEW WEIRES, born September 19, 1926 at White Lake, S.D.
Children
1. ROBERT DONALD WEIRES, born August 11, 1956 at White Lake, S.D.
2. MARJORIE LYNN WEIRES, born November 27, 1957 at Reliance, S.D.
3. RONALD MATTHEW WEIRES, born October 7, 1958 at Letcher, S.D., died
December 19, 1958
JAKOB HOFFER OBITUARY
"Grand Island (Nebr.) Daily"
Sat. Dec. 1, 1951
Jakob Hoffer, 76, retired farmer and former employee of the American Crystal
Sugar Co., died late Sat. afternoon in a local hospital. His home was at 424,
East 14th, Grand Island.
Mr. Hoffer was born in Neudorf, South Russia, June 19, 1875, to Mr. and Mrs.
Martin Hoffer. It was there that he received his schooling and grew to manhood.
He was married to Miss Eva Schaeffer at Neudorf January 13, 1898. In March of
that year the young couple emmigrated to Canada, and, after a short stay there,
moved to a homestead in Lyman County, South Dakota. For 31 years they resided
there, then moved to Crawford, Nebr. Four years later, they came to Grand
Island. During the time, when his health permitted, Mr. Hoffer was employed at
the sugar factory.
Mr. Hoffer was confirmed in the Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Hoffer and 13 of their 14 children survive. They are John of Java, S.D.;
Jacob, Jr., Hood River, Ore.; George, Oroville, Calif.; Fred, Medford, Ore.;
Carl, Grand Island; and Leonard, Portland, Ore.; seven daughters, Mrs. Claude
Drew, Scappoose, Ore.; Mrs. Frank Tuenge, Grand Island; Mrs. Ray Cleland,
Chamberlain, S.D.; Mrs. Herman W. Wojiechowski, Kimball, S.D.; Mrs. Albert
Traxel, Reliance, S.D.; Mrs. Glenn Davis, Grand Island; and Mrs. Elmer Gavin,
Omaha. Also surviving are 24 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, his parents, and 14 brothers and
sisters.
Arrangements for the funeral await word from relatives at a distance. The
Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is in charge.
VIII. MARIE MAGDALENA HOFFER born December 3, 1908 at Reliance, S.D., married
Albert Traxel April 24, 1928 at Chamberlain, S.D.
ALBERT TRAXEL, born December 7, 1900 at South Russia, died May 22, 1985
at Cambridge, Minn., buried at Chamberlain, S.D.
Children
A. EUGENE TRAXEL born 1929
B. LARRY TRAXEL
C. LYLE TRAXEL born April 21, 1930 at Lyman Co., S.D., died same day and
location.
D. EDNA MARIE TRAXEL born March 1, 1931 at Reliance, S.D., married Leo
Nickolas Wolf June 11, 1952 at Chamberlain, S.D.
LEO NICKOLAS WOLF, born July 15, 1924 at Reliance, S.D. Died
September 13, 1954 at Chamberlain, S.D.
E. ALTA MAE TRAXEL born October 25, 1940 at Reliance, S.D., married
Kenneth J Kapaun June 6, 1965 at Chamberlain, S.D.
KENNETH J KAPAUN, born August 13, 1940 at St. Paul, Minn.
Children
1. ALLEN KENNETH KAPAUN, born September 15, 1968 at Cambridge, Minn.
2. NORMAN EUGENE KAPAUN, born June 16, 1970 at Cambridge Minn.
EVA SCHAEFFER HOFFER OBITUARY
Friday, June 24, 1960
Mrs. Eva Schaeffer Hoffer (Job), 83, a former Reliance, S.D. resident died
Friday, June 24, 1960 at the Wishek, N.D. hospital. She had been residing at
Napoleon, N.D.
Funeral services were conducted in the Lutheran Church at Napoleon and on
Tuesday afternoon, June 28, services were also held at 2 pm in the
Apfel-Butler-Geddes Funeral Home in Grand Island, Nebr. with Rev. W.F. Wichman,
pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in charge. Burial was in the Grand Island
cemetery.
Mrs. Hoffer (Job) was born August 1, 1876 in Neudorf, South Russia to Mr. and
Mrs. Michael Schaeffer. She and Jakob Hoffer were married at Neudorf and came
to U.S. in 1898, settling at Reliance, S.D. They moved to Crawford, Nebr. in
1932 and then to Grand Island in 1936. Mr. Hoffer died Dec. 1, 1951.
She and Jacob Job were married in 1957, and they had since made their home in
Napoleon, N.D.
Surviving are six sons, John Hoffer, Java, S.D.; Jacob, Fred, and Leonard
Hoffer, Hood River, Ore.; George Hoffer, Oroville, Calif.; and Carl Hoffer,
Grand Island; seven daughters, Mrs. Eva Drew, Scappoose, Ore.; Mrs. Frank
Tuenge and Mrs. Glenn Davis, Grand Island, Nebr.; Mrs. Ray Cleland,
Chamberlain, S.D.; Mrs. Herman Wojciechowski, White Lake, S.D.; Mrs. Albert
Traxel, Reliance, S.D.; and Mrs. Elmer Gavin, Omaha. A sister, Mrs. Christine
Gehnert, Kulm, N.D., 27 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren survive.
IX. FRED HOFFER born October 9, 1911 at Reliance, S.D., married Agnes Jensen
in 1931 at St. Libory, Nebr.
AGNES JENSEN, born in 1931 at St. Libory, Nebr.
Children
A. ANN KATHRYN HOFFER, born June 3, 1931 at Central City, Nebr., married
Lloyd Garman in 1950 at Jacksonville, Ore.
LLOYD GARMAN, born at Porterville, Calif.
Children
1. LORETTA GARMAN
2. JANIS GARMAN
3. VINNIE GARMAN
4. JOSEPH GARMAN
B. HENRY G HOFFER, born October 8, 1936 at Portland, Ore.,
C. MARIE FRANCIS HOFFER, born July 8, 1941 at Santa Clara, Calif.,
married Walter Owens in 1956 at Reno, Nevada.
WALTER OWENS, born at Oroville, Calif.
Children
1. DAVID OWENS
2. DONNA OWENS
3. DEENA OWENS
IX. FRED HOFFER married Myrtle Land at Reno, Nevada in July, 1960.
MYRTLE LAND, born April 22, 1911 at Jewett, Texas.
THE FRANCONIAN MIGRATION
from J.S. Height
The second massive wave of German immigration to Russia occurred in the years
1808-09. It could be called the Rhine-Franconian migration for the majority
came from the Rhineland plains of Baden, Alsace, and the Palatinate. Only a
small number of immigrants came from Wurttemberg, for all immigration from that
country was prohibited by King Friedrich for 8 years from May 29, 1807 to March
15, 1815.
The majority of the immigrants walked or rode by wagon to Ulm, Germany to the
Danube River where they boarded "Ulmer Schachtel" or "Ulmer crates", the
tediously slow, flat-bottomed barges. The 90-ft., open craft took ten days to
float with the current to Vienna, Austria. Following that was a long, overland
route by wagon to the Black Sea in Russia. The 4-5 week trip covered 485 miles,
and ended in Radzivilov, South Russia where they were quarantined for a month
and more. Disease was very common, as was death.
The other immigrants that left Germany traveled to Russia by a completely
different, entirely overland route. The Franconian travelers used their own
wagons and horses to travel through Saxony, Silesia, and Galicia in southern
Poland to the Russian port of entry at Radzivilov. Six weeks travel from
Leipzig to the Russian port was common. Most settled in the new colonies of the
Beresian and Glueckstal districts which included Neudorf.
This large immigration required the settlement of 23 new colonies by 1809.
Included were the four Lutheran villages in the Glueckstal district: Glueckstal
(1808), Kassel (1808), Bergdorf (1809), and Neudorf (1809). The Rieger family
came from Glueckstal; and the Hoffer family from Neudorf.
X. LENA HILDA HOFFER born August 7, 1913 at Reliance, South Dakota, married
Glenn R. Davis July 18, 1942 at Kearney Nebraska.
GLENN R. DAVIS, born October 19, 1910 at Morrisville, Missouri.
No Children
XI. CARL ARTHUR MARTIN HOFFER born March 20, 1917 at Reliance, S.D., married
Pauline Pearl Reimers May 31, 1941 at Grand Island, Nebr.
PAULINE PEARL REIMERS, born January 21, 1924 at Dannebrog, Nebr.
Children
A. ROSE HOFFER, born September 23, 19,41 at Dannebrog, Nebr., died
September 23, 1941 at Dannebrog, Nebr.
A. PEARL HOFFER, born September 23, 1941 at Dannebrog, Nebr., died
September 23, 1941 at Dannebrog, Nebr.
B. SHIRLEY JEAN HOFFER, born October 21, 1942 at Bridgeport, Nebr.,
married Clarence W Nielsen March 3, 1962 at Grand Island, Nebr.
CLARENCE W NIELSEN, born September 25, 1939 at Mason City, Nebr.
Children
1. STACY W NIELSEN, born August 17, 1962 at Grand Island, Nebr.
2. CARL A NIELSEN, born March 23, 1965 at Grand Island, Nebr.
3. SCOTT C Nielsen, born November 28, 1969 at Grand Island, Nebr.
4. CHANNEY LYNN NIELSEN, born February 21, 1975 at Grand Island, Nebr.
5. SADIE JO NIELSEN, born November 4, 1977 at Grand Island, Nebr.
6. CANDICE KAY NIELSEN, born October 3, 1979 at Grand Island, Nebr.
7. STEPHEN J NIELSEN, born October 4, 1981 at Grand Island, Nebr.
C. KARLEEN KAY HOFFER born June 19, 1946 at Grand Island, Nebr., married
Gerry Lee Schmidt December 28, 1968 at Grand Island, Nebr.
GERRY LEE SCHMIDT, born February 27, 1938 at Riverton, Nebr.
Children
1. WILLIE LEE SCHMIDT, born May 25, 1970 at Grand Island, Nebr.
2. MARTY CARL SCHMIDT, born May 18, 1973 at Grand Island, Nebr.
3. JODY ALLEN SCHMIDT, born February 4, 1977 at Grand Island, Nebr.
Died February 4, 1977 at Grand Island, Nebr.
4. KYLEE KAY SCHMIDT, born July 10, 1978 at Grand Island, Nebr. Died
March 10, 1981 at Grand Island, Nebr.
5. CHRISTOPHER LYNN SCHMIDT, born March 2, 1982 at Grand Island, Nebr.
6. SUNNIE KARLEEN SCHMIDT, born July 16, 1984 at Grand Island, Nebr.
D. JERRY LEE HOFFER born February 24, 1948 at Grand Island, Nebr., married
Roxanne Schultz January 1, 1969 at Cairo, Nebr.
ROXANNE SCHULTZ, born April 6, 1950 at Sioux City, Iowa.
Children
1. KENNETH LEE HOFFER, born July 18, 1969 at Grand Island, Nebr.
2. CHAD NATHAN HOFFER, born November 17, 1971 at Grand Island, Nebr.
3. SHAWN MICHEAL HOFFER, born December 21, 1975 at Grand Island, Nebr.
XII. LEONARD DAVE HOFFER born June 13, 1918 at Lyman Co., S.D. married Cleora
Maxine Davis September 18, 1948 at Reno, Nev.
CLEORA MAXINE DAVIS, born November 2, 1913 at Morrisville, Missouri.
No Children
XIII. OLINDA HOFFER born May 11, 1916, married Elmer Gavin in 1945
ELMER GAVIN, born at Warsaw, North Carolina.
Children
A. ALVIN EUGENE GAVIN, born June 17, 1933 at Grand Island, Nebr., married
Carol Ann Meyer May 5, 1962 at Grand Island, Nebr.
CAROL ANN MEYER, born May 31, 1939 at Grand Island, Nebr.
Children
1. CATHERINE O'LINDA GAVIN, born May 19, 1953 at Omaha Nebr., married
George Johnson at Omaha, Nebr.
GEORGE JOHNSON
2. CAROLINE JEAN GAVIN, born April 12, 1955 at Omaha, Nebr., married
Roehr
ROEHR, born at Omaha, Nebr.
3. ALVIN PRESCOTT GAVIN, born June 3, 1958 at Omaha, Nebr.
4. SUZETTE MARIE GAVIN, born January 17, 1962 at Omaha, Nebr.
B. HERMAN WILLIAM GAVIN, born at Grand Island, Nebr., married Rose at
Omaha, Nebr.
ROSE, born at Omaha, Nebr.
Children
1. STEVEN WILLIAM GAVIN, born December 16, 1961 at Omaha, Nebr.
2. JEFFREY SCOTT GAVIN, born December 12, 1966 at Omaha, Nebr.
3. BRENDA MARIE GAVIN, born December 9, 1969 at Omaha, Nebr.
4. MARK ALLEN GAVIN, born January 24, 1972 at Omaha, Nebr.
C. HAROLD ALLEN GAVIN, born Octoher 3, 1937, at Grand Island, Nebr.,
married Marlene Ruth Anderson June 20, 1959 at Omaha, Nebr.
MARLENE RUTH ANDERSON, born January 24, 1940 at Omaha, Nebr.
Children
1. TODD ALLEN GAVIN, born July 27, 1961 at Omaha, Nebr.
2. ALAN ELMER GAVIN, born December 18, 1963 at Omaha, Nebr.
3. SCOTT FRANCIS GAVIN, born March 20, 1965 at Omaha, Nebr., married
Lori Millard at Omaha, Nebr.
LORI MILLARD
4. JAMES ANDREW GAVIN, born December 11, 1967 at Omaha, Nebr.
D. MARION GAVIN, born November 17, 1938 at Grand Island, Nebr., married
Eugene Barber
EUGENE BARBER
Children
1. DALE BARBER, born February 1, 1958 at Omaha, Nebr.,
Children
a. DALE J BARBER, born at Omaha, Nebr.
b. CHRISTOPHER M BARBER, born at Omaha, Nebr.
c. LORA R BARBER
2. CHRISTOPHER BARBER, born February 27, 1959 at
Children
a. DEANNA M BLACKERAN, born December 25, 1980
3. RITA BARBER, born April 25, 1960 at Omaha, Nebr., married Oregon at
Omaha, Nebr.
OREGON
Children
a. EVA M OREGON, born October 9, 1980 at Omaha, Nebr.
b. CLIFFORD A OREGON, born October 2, 1981 at Omaha, Nebr.
c. MARION SERRAND, born April 21, 1986 at Omaha, Nebr.
4. BRIAN BARBER, born October 5, 1964 at Omaha, Nebr.
5. RONNIE BARBER, born September 20, 19,66 at Omaha, Nebr.
E. LOIS LOUISE GAVIN, born November 13, 1940 at Dannebrog, Nebr., married
William Anton Clark December 28, 1956
WILLIAM ANTON CLARK, born December 31, 1938 at died January 11, 1975
at Omaha. Nebr.
Children
1. WILLIAM CLARK, born July 25, 1957 at Topeka, Kansas, died January
9, 1974 at Omaha, Nebr.
2. RICHEY ALAN CLARK, born May 11, 1959 at Topeka, Kansas, married
October 31, 19?? at Massachusetts.
3. SUSAN ANNA CLARK, born December 14, 1960 at Topeka, Kansas
4. TERRY JAMES CLARK, born June 10, 1962 at Topeka, Kansas, married
July 20, 1987
5. DUANE ANTHDNY CLARK, born July 28, 1963 at Topeka, Kansas
6. LISA JEAN CLARK, born March 27, 1968 at Omaha, Nebr.
E. LOIS LOUISE GAVIN, married Robert Henry Stieren March 5, 1975 at
Omaha, Nebr.
ROBERT HENRY STIEREN, born June 7, 1944 at West Point, Nebr.
Children
1. CARL PATRICK STIEREN, born January 12, 1976 at Omaha, Nebr.
F. JOHN WOODCOCK
Note: John Woodcock (above) is the son of Olinda Hoffer and Albert William
Woodcock, as are the other five children of Olinda. John Woodcock did not
change his born name after Olinda married Elmer Gavin.
Albert William Woodcock was born in Maine and died at Stillwater, Wisconsin.
Windmills in German villages in South Russia. Powerful, steady means to
grind grain into flour.
II. JOHANN (JOHN) HOFFER born May 19, 1898 at Wolseley, Northwest
Territories, Saskatchewan, Canada, married Maria (Marie) Rieger
November 20, 1927 at Akaska, So. Dakota. Died February 21, 1963 at
Bowdle, S.D. Hospital, buried in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery at Java, S.D.
MARIA (MARIE) RIEGER, born August 5, 1907 at Akaska, So. Dakota.
A. FRIEDA OLINDA HOFFER born March 23, 1928 at Java, S.D. (on farm),
married Carl Wesley Queen December 21, 1946 at Belleville, Kansas.
CARL WESLEY QUEEN, born July 13, 1922 at Douglasville, Georgia.
No Children
B. MARVIN CLEO HOFFER (Details of this family listed at end of this
chapter.)
C. ALBERT JOHN HOFFER born January 31, 1938 at Java, S.D. (Parent's Home),
married Wilma Clydette Stillman October 26, 1957 at Ypsilanti, Mich.
Divorced
WILMA CLYDETTE STILLMAN, born September 6, 1937 at Luxora, Arkansas.
Children
1. JOHN STANLEY HOFFER, born January 29, 1959 at Kansas City, Mo.,
married Heather Mannering Leroy October 1, 1970 at Augsburg, W.
Germany.
HEATHER MANNERING LEROY, born June 23, 1959 at Minneapolis,
Minnesota.
Children
a. ERICH WAYNE HOFFER, born August 16, 1980 at Eschwege, W. Germany.
b. MARCUS ANDREW HOFFER, born May 2, 1982 at Eschwege, W. Germany.
c. SARAH ELISE HOFFER, born March 25, 1985 at Shakopee, Minn.
d. PETER KEITH HOFFER, born May 4, 1987 at Savage, Minn.
2. GARY KEITH HOFFER, born December 20, 1960 at Hamilton Air Force
Base, Calif., married Lisa Horvath September 21, 1985 at Honolulu,
Hawaii.
LISA HORVATH, born May 14, 1959 at Dover, Delaware.
3. GENE WAYNE HOFFER, born January 26, 1964 at Hamilton Air Force
Base, Calif., married Dawn at June 16, 1984 at Dover, Delaware.
Divorced
DAWN, born December 8, 1963 at Iowa.
3. GENE WAYNE HOFFER, remarried Mary
MARY
Children
a. A daughter was born of this marriage July 26, 1987
C. ALBERT JOHN HOFFER Remarried Norma Ann Francis Stewart Hubert November
15, 1979 at Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.
NORMA ANN FRANCIS STEWART HUBERT, born February 27, 1943 at Glasgow,
Scotland.
Children
1. MELONY ANN HUBERT, born April 25, 1965 at Milford, Delaware.
D. GARY ERVIN HOFFER born December 4, 1943 at Java, S.D. (Parent's Home),
married Frances Illene Dunham September 9, 1967 at Fresno, Calif.
FRANCES ILLENE DUNHAM, born December 17, 1938 at Fresno, Calif.
No Children
E. CARL RICHARD HOFFER born June 10, 1945 at Java, S.D. (Parent's Home),
married Helen Virginia Bowman June 20, 1970 at Fresno, Calif.
(Episcopalian Church).
HELEN VIRGINIA BOWMAN, born January 23, 1947 at Fresno, Calif.
Children
1. TAMERA MARIE HOFFER, born December 2, 1970 at Fresno, Calif.
2. KIMBERLY KIRSTEN HOFFER, born June 2, 1975 at Fresno, Calif.
B. MARVIN CLEO HOFFER born January 3, 1936 at Java, S.D. (Parent's Home),
married Jean Ann McKnight June 23, 1963 at DeSmet, S.D., American
Lutheran Church.
JEAN ANN McKNIGHT, born January 26, 1941 at Webster, S.D. (Peabody
Hospital).
Children
1. CHRISTOPHER JON HOFFER, born September 17, 1964 at Redding, Calif.
(Mercy Hospital)
2. AMY ANN HOFFER, born July 28, 1967 at Redding, Calif. (Mercy
Hospital)
3. TIMOTHY JOHN HOFFER, born February 16, 1975 at Redding, Calif.
(Mercy Hospital)
HOFFER GERMAN LANGUAGE-DIALECT ORIGIN 1/
Based on the above data source and others it appears that the Hoffer heritage
stems from Lower Alsace, today in West Germany.
It is generally assumed that the majority of Evangelical settlers in the
Cherson area of South Russia were from Wurttemberg, but a closer examination of
the available historical evidence indicates that it was only a scant majority.
Of the 1,375 pioneer families that were settled in the 16 mother colonies,
about half were from Wurttemberg. These spoke the Swabian dialect of High
German. The other major linguistic group was "frankisch" (Franconian) who came
from the Upper Rhine, namely from the Rhine Palantinate, from north and central
Baden, and from Lower Alsace. The linguistic composition of the 16 Evangelical
mother colonies can therefore be determined on the basis of the ethnographic
origin of the immigrant settlers. In the Glueckstal volost (district) only the
village of Glueckstal was predominantly Swabian: Bergdorf was half Swabian,
half Franconian; Neudorf was at least two-thirds Franconian, and Kassel must be
regarded as a Franconian settlement.
Based on the German language, I (Marvin C. Hoffer) learned from my father John
J. Hoffer, I say, as he did, the following: Kiehchle (cookies), Brodwarscht
(bread sausage), Karrich (church), Owed (evening), and Fleddermaus (butterfly).
This compares with the Swabian dominated dialect of my mother (Maria Rieger
Hoffer) whose heritage stems from the neighboring South Russian village of
Glueckstal.
The only Hoffer listed by Height (p. 85) as a Pioneer Settler of Neudorf was
Peter Hoffer. His hometown was Niederseebach in the district of Weissenburg, in
the country of Alsace, today in West Germany. The Franconian dialect of High
German was spoken there. It is my summary opinion that the Hoffer High German
dialect is Franconian.
1/ J.S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 1975.
The "Ulmer Schachtel"...the barges of Ulm. On these primitive craft, thousands
drifted down the Danube to Vienna, to Pest, and ultimately Odessa, So. Russia.
As many as 430 emigrants packed onto one barge, death and hardship was standard
fare. It often took 15 terrible months to reach their new home on the steppes,
having buried thousands along the route.
SELECTED NURSERY RHYMES, PROVERBS, SONGS, DITTIS, AND GERMAN DRY HUMOR (Source:
1-19, J.S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe)
1. Rega, Rega-Tropfe, Rain, rain, raindrops,
die Buba muss mer klopfa, the boys they must be spanked,
die Madle muss mer schona, the girls we have to spare,
wie die Zitrona. like lemons rare.
2. The following is intriguing in that it may reflect the pre-emigration
historical association with Frenchmen and women by Germans who emigrated to
South Russia.
Wenn Wasser Wein war, If water were wine,
Wu Wotte Welsche Weiver Windle where would French women wash
wasche? diapers?
3. Do helft koi Maulspitze, Puckering the lips isn't enough,
's muass pfiffe soi. you've got to whistle.
4. Du hosch guat "hu" schreir, It's easy for you to shout "Giddap,"
wenn du selber net mitziege when you don't have to help pull.
muasch.
5. Sachte mit dr Braut, das sie Go gently with the bride, lest
net stolpert. she stumble.
6. Wo di Weiber im Haus d'Hose a When housewives wear the pants,
hen geht unser Herrgott the good Lord backs out the door.
hintersche zur Tur 'naus.
7. Friede ernahrt, Unfriede Peace nourishes, discord devours.
verzehrt.
8. Der Jugend Tat, der Alten Rat. The young take action, the old
give advice.
9. Lass mich moine Kuachle indoim If you'll let me bake my cookies
Schmalz backe, no darfsch du in your lard, you can cook your
doin Speck in moim Kraut kocke. pork in my sauerkraut.
10. Hoffen und Harren macht manchen Hoping and waiting makes many a
zum Narren. man a fool.
11. Liaber a Laus im Kraut wie Better a louse in the kraut than
gar koi Fliesch. no meat at all.
12. Geduldige Schafla gehm viel Many meek sheep will go into one
en oin Stall. barn.
13. Wer nex tut, macht koine Fehler. He who does nothing makes no mistakes.
14. Wer koi Knoblauch g'fressa hat, He who has eaten no garlic,
der stinkt net. doesn't stink.
15. Der Horcher an der Want hort The listener at the wall hears his
seine eigene Schand. own disgrace.
16. Der isch arm wie a Kirchemaus. He's as poor as a church mouse.
17. Trickener Marz, nasser April, A dry March, a wet April, and a
und kuhler Mai, bringen viel cool May bring much wheat and
Frucht und viel Heu. much hay.
18. Den Kalender machen die Leut, People make the calender; God
das Wetter macht der lieber makes the weather.
Gott.
19. Fruhregen und alte Weibertanz Early rains and old women'
dauern nicht lang. dances don't last long.
20. Engel nun Komm, mach mich fromm, Angels, now come, make me good,
das ich zu dire im Himmel nun so that to you I will come.
komm.
Bedtime prayer learned by Marv Hoffer as a child.
21. Sprich und Du bist mein Speak and you are my friend. Sing,
mitmensch. Singe, und wir sind and we are brothers and sisters.
Bruder und Schwestern.
Theodor Von Hipple, 1771-1843.
Threshing with stone rollers in the German colonies of South Russia.
This was repeated by early settlers in U.S. (Karl Stumpp)
A DESCRIPTION OF THE TOWN OF NEUDORF, SOUTH RUSSIA 1/
The colony was founded in 1809, and 100 houses were constructed of stamped
(rammed) earth. It was located in the Karamanova Valley which runs into the
Dniester Valley near Grigoriopol. In 1848 the colony owned 15,687 acres (5,810
dessiatines, 2.7 acres equals 1 dess.) of land with only limited level areas.
The colony of Glueckstal lies to the west of Neudorf.
The eastern half of the village property had black humus soil and was very
productive even during dry years. The western half soil had sand mixture, and
was much drier. Winter rye, winter wheat, lentils, barley, maize, and potatoes
grew well. Other grains and vegetables did less well, and flax did poorly.
In 1809 there were about 500 dessiatines (1,350 acres) of wooded valleys of
oak, ash, linden, apple, pear, alder trees, and shrubs. There were no nearby
stone quarries. However most of the original stamped earth homes were replaced
by stone homes supplied by quarries 8 miles distant near the Dneister River.
The colony site was surveyed by the Russian government, and Councilor
Rosenkampf commented on the beautiful setting and asked for a village name
suggestion. Someone suggested the name Neustadt, Rosemkampf replied: "We are
not going to build a city, but only a village. It shall be called Neudorf."
There were originally 100 families of pioneer settlers (259 males, and 431
females). Twenty-eight families came from Wurrtemberg, 37 from Alsace, 7 from
Palatinate (Plalz), 11 from Baden, 2 from Saxony, 3 from Prussia, 11 from
Hungary, and 1 from Warsaw. Some families had moved to Grusinia and Bessarabia
before 1848.
The settlers came from what today is Germany without leaders in 1809-O9, and
were housed in Liebental with other colonists until spring -09. When the
colonists arrived there were three isolated farms, three wells, and three acres
of vineyards. The settlers received 91,424 rubles from the Russian Imperial
Crown for subsistence, settlement and seed. Most of the colonists were very
poor day laborers and draftsmen and brought only about 500 rubles among them of
their own money.
Most of the settlers were draftsmen and without agricultural knowledge. This
resulted in tremendous hardships for all. Education was limited due to general
existence hardships, poor instructors, and no assistance from the Russian
government.
Neudorf lay in the "Black Valley." It consisted of 3 main streets and a side
street. The populations were 1816 - 591, 1858 - 1,685, 1881 - 2,760, 1890 -
3,388, 1903 - 1,956, 1907 - 1,951, 1915 - 1,755, 1926 - 1,891, and 1943 -
2,401. The villagers lived in house and yard lots (see village map). There were
over 200 farms ranging from 40 to 160 acres each. Craftsmen in 1914 were 5
cabinet makers, 5 shoemakers, 4 wainwrights, 3 blacksmiths, a tailor, and a
baker. The village owned 1,154 horses, 1,196 cows, 564 colts and calves, 362
sheep, and 820 pigs.
Community losses occurred from epidemics in 1831, -34, -44 of smallpox; in -37
and -43 from measles; and in -46, young and old alike, from "neural fever"
(possibly menengitis); and in -31 from cholera. In 1823-27 locusts decimated
grain fields and meadows. In -29 a hail storm destroyed all crops, and smashed
all the north building windows. Crops were almost nonexistent in 1833 and -34.
Livestock disease of -28 destroyed 1,400 cattle, and 400 in -44. Over 400 sheep
died in 1845 and -46. In 1843 the colonists killed over 10,000 field mice in 4
months. Failed crops where only seed was harvested occurred in 1813, - 14, -22,
-23, -32, and -35. Good years were 1816, -18, -37, -38. The winter of 1847 was
unforgettable for its great drought so that 675 cattle died of starvation for
lack of feed. There was plenty of hardships, and some productive years.
In 1814 a schoolhouse was built by the community and two bells were purchased.
Encouraged by Mayor Michael Bollinger, the village built a church in 1825 at a
cost of 15,000 rubles. The Evangelical Lutheran Church built in 1825 was
enlarged in 1866. It had a massive tower and slender steeple, had 500 seats and
room for 800 people. In 1900 a beautiful two-manual organ manufactured by the
Rieger Brothers in Jagerndorf was installed for 1,800 rubles. Much shrubbery
and trees surrounded the church. The combined school and prayer hall of the
Reformed Congregation was an attractive two-story structure. The school and
prayer hall of the Baptists was built in 1912 for 5,000 rubles.
In 1840 newly elected Mayor Johann Schauer directed the construction of a new
school, and the old one remodeled for the schoolmaster. The church grounds were
enhanced with a wall and trees. A community granery was built in 1837 which
helped the village poor. The most productive business of the village was
growing livestock and grapes which provided a good village income during the
poor grain crops. Fruit trees only survived the steppe environment for about
15-20 years.
A very good village philosophy existed that should any man suffer a fire loss
he was compensated by the collective contribution of the settlers, each giving
according to his means. In the event of a physical injury the same collection
was made for doctor's services
The Evangelical Lutheran school was a fine, large building near the church.
This and the Reformed church school were served by five teachers who instructed
365 students. Among the teachers were: Jakob Ritter, Jakob Heer, Karl Haring,
and Phillip Bender.
Neudorf had a co-op store, two privately owned stores, a beer hall, three
dairies, two steam-powered flour mills, three oil (flax seed?) presses, and a
cement tile factory. Among the notable mayors of the town were: Johannes
Gienger, Johann Maier, and Karl Schauer (1903).
The average home and associated buildings in Neudorf, 1915 was built of stone
which was readily available. The roofs were covered with tile, sheet metal and
at times reeds. They were painted in various colors. Most of the colony was of
huge buildings. The family house and horse-cow barn were under one roof with an
interior door leading directlyfrom the house to the barn. The house was
separated on the street side by a stone fence or wall. Pig stalls, corn cribs,
and other farm buildings were located in the "back yard." Note that the farmers
lived exclusively in the colonies, and had no farm or farm buildings on or near
the land they cultivated as is the practice in North America. A "summer kitchen"
was located adjacent to the house on the "street side," and consisted of a
cooking stove and baking oven. There were no "side-walks" so you must use the
street.
The homes were painted white inside with wide or narrow blue stripes. Some wall
paper was used. Rooms were draped with inexpensive pictures and portraits of
relatives. Furnlture was locally made. Musical instruments such as the reed
organ, zither, and accordian were found in many homes. Colony attire was not
decorative, but simple and functional.
The work ethic was seemingly paramount to the colonists. "Arbeit machen der
Leben sus." Work makes life sweet. All ages and both men and women worked
almost continuously, except for Sunday. The urge to acquire worldly treasures
was very evident. There was little time for intellectual and spiritual
treasures.
The enclosed map of Neudorf shows the home locations of ten Hofers and six
Hoffers. On the corner of Mittelgasse (middle street) and Krauzgasse (main
street), lot #132 lived a Jakob Hoffer. Across the street lived Ludwig Hoffer
(lot #131). Katherina Hoffer lived at lot #103, and a second Ludwig Hoffer
lived at lot #157. A second K. (Katherina?) Hoffer lived at lot #216, and a J.
(Jakob?) Hoffer lived on lot #142 at the corner of Mittlegasse and
Kirchenkreuzgass (church main street).
It is possible that the Jakob Hoffer may be our Grandfather and Father. Nowhere
on the map is a Martin Hoffer home shown, but a M. (Martin?) Hofer is listed on
lot #32. The spelling of Hoffer with one F and two FF confuses this historical
search. There is no absolute evidence that our family is shown as residing in
Neudorf, however as of the date (unknown) of this map, it is almost certain
that one of the six Hoffers listed was of our heritage.
1/ Map and most of this text from J.S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 1975.
JACOB AND EVA HOFFER IMMIGRATION
FROM RUSSIA TO CANADA AND U.S.
AND ASSOCIATED BITS OF HISTORY
The following is information that I gleaned over the past 24 years. I can not
attest to complete accuracy, but believe it should be presented or will be lost.
Jacob Hoffer of Hood River, Oregon told me in 1983 that my grandfather, Jakob
Hoffer, and his wife, Eva, lived in Canada for about two years after they
arrived from South Russia in 1898. There, Jakob Hoffer worked at a mill,
possibly a lumber mill. Jacob was unsure of these facts.
The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, Clues, Part 2, 1983
ed., pages 31-32 provided me with information I used to secure filmstrip No.
C4518 from the Canadian Public Archives, 395 Wellington St., Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada K1AON3 which contained the S.S. Palatia ship (steamer) immigration data.
The S.S. Palatia arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada May 13, 1898 at 6 pm
having sailed from Hamburg, Germany May 1, 1898.
The S.S. Palatia ship roster lists the following: Hofer (one F), Jacob, 23,
farmer, Eva, 33, wife; Eva, not over one year of age. The possibility that
these people were our grandparents and Aunt Eva Hoffer Drew is good. However,
Grandpa Hoffer was born June l9, 1875 and Grandma Hoffer was born August l,
1876, so Grandpa was 13.5 months older than Grandma Eva. He was not 10 years
younger than she. I personally reviewed the handwritten pages of the ship's
roster done by some unknown English-speaking clerk of the Canadian Immigration
Service. That might have been an error of a clerk trying to understand German
speaking immigrants, or through translation, confusion, at that time.
Subtracting Grandpa Hoffer's birth year 1875 from the avowed immigration to
Canada year of 1898, the result is 23. That is the age given on the Palatia
ship roster for Jacob (Jakob) Hofer (Hoffer).
The S.S. Palatia was a German twin-screw steamer of 4,271 tons. It had a
passenger space for 2,420 persons. On the May 1-13, 1898 trip from Hamburg,
Germany to Halifax (and apparently on to New York) it carried 382 adults, 243
children 1-14 years, and 73 infants (less than one year) for a total of 698
persons, plus crew. The S.S. Palatia was of the Hansa Line. The ship's master's
name was R. Karlama. A note on the archival filmstrip stated that "all persons
to Winnipeg, Manitoba."
The Jakob Hofer (Hoffer) on this trip owed the ship company $5.00 for some fee.
No other information availablle.
There is enough positive data here to cause me to believe that the persons
Jacob 23, Eva 33, and Eva, less than one year were our grandparents and aunt.
Unanswered is the confusion over Eva Hoffer's age of 23, not 33 as listed on
the ship's roster.
The 1905 South Dakota state census listed the following persons: Jacob Hoffer,
28, 7 years in U.S. and S.D.; Eva Hoffer, 27, same time in U.S. and S.D.; Eva,
8 years, same times; John, 7 years, same times; Jennie ("nickname" for
Christina), 5 years, born in U.S.; "Amelia" ("nickname" for Emma), 3 years; and
Jacob, 1.5 years.
Also listed were: Martin Hoffer, age 70 years, 4 years in U.S., came in 1901
from So. Russia; and Margaret, age 64 years. These two persons are the parents
of Jakob (Jacob) Hoffer, my grandfather.
In addition, there were listed the family: Fred Hoffer, age 32, 4 years in
U.S., came in 1901; Christina age 36, same times in the U.S.; Pred age 10,
John, 6 years, Jacob, 5 years, and Michael, 3 years. All came to U.S. in 1901
from So. Russia. Fred was a brother to Jacob, my grandfather, and a son of
Martin and Margaret Hoffer, my great-grandparents.
George Hoffer, son of Jacob and Eva Hoffer was born in 1905 (after the S.D.
census) when the railroad was built to Reliance, S.D. (per Emma Hoffer Cleland).
My grandfather, Jacob Hoffer, also had a brother named Martin, who had the
children: Katherina, Jacob, Christina, Lydia, John, Barbara, Pauline, Amy,
Emil, and Arthur. Martin's wife's name was Barbara. No date on this family's
arrival in U.S. from Russia.
Emma Hoffer Cleland told me that "our grandfather" (Martin Hoffer) lived
1/2-mile east from our Dad's (Jacob Hoffer) place.
Jacob Hoffer had a sister named Margaret who was married to Fred Hieb, who
lived 1 mile southeast of Jacob Hoffer's farm. The Hieb children were: Pauline,
Gottlieb, Louie, Amy, Kahterine, Dan, Frieda, Sam, and Ella. His wife's name
was Christina (per Emma Cleland).
In 1905 S.D. Census card No. 340 listed the father of Martin Hoffer, my
great-grandfather, as born in Germany, and his mother as born in Russia. Their
names are unknown, as they were not listed on the census card. So my
great-great-grandfather was born in Germany and his wife in Russia.
No Hoffer family member could recall any Hoffer relatives living in Canada
which might have been the reason for Jacob and Eva Hoffer living in Wolseley
(east of Regina), Northwest Territories (now Province of Saskatchewan), Canada
when they arrived from So. Russia and while my father Johann (John) Hoffer was
born at Wolseley.
My grandfatherls (Jacob Hoffer) obituary states that he was preceeded in death
by an infant son, parents and 14 brothers and sisters.
The State of S.D. Historical Resources Center, Pierre provided me with
homestead records and 1905 census records. On the land plat was shown a church
and cemetary in Section 10, T103 (104?), R 74 W about 1.25 miles northeast of
Jacob Hoffer Homestead. Possibly some Hoffers are buried there. Church no doubt
gone.
The following history was provided by Fred Hoffer, Medford, Oregon on March 4,
1989:
Great-grandfather, Martin Hoffer, homesteaded an 80-acre or larger homestead
south and west of Reliance, S.D. about 9 miles from town and built a sod house.
Fred Hoffer recalls playing in it after Martin Hoffer died.
Fred Hoffer said both Martin and his wife, Margarete, were dead by the time he
was born in that he doesn't recall them.
Both must be buried in a country church cemetary in that immediate area. There
was a Lutheran Church. The Hoffers belonged to the Lutheran Church which was
located about 3 miles north and east of the Hoffer homestead. They may be
buried in the cemetary there.
There was also a Reformed Church about 1.5 miles from the homestead. Direction
unknown.
The nearest town to the homestead was McGill, S.D., later name changed to
Lyman, S.D. No such towns on S.D. maps about 1975.
HISTORICAL NOTES ABOUT CZAR PETER AND EMPRESS CATHERINE OF RUSSIA
Lutheran Pastor Gluck in Marienburg, Russia had a young women named Martha
Skovronska working for him in the pastor's house nursery. She was 17 and the
orphaned daughter of Lithuanian peasants. She had been brought to Russia as a
slave. When the Russians attacked Marienburg, she was taken to Moscow as a
concubine. Tsar Peter's best friend and confidant got her and transferred her
to Peter. After living with her for some months in 1703 Peter was looking for a
replacement for Anna Mons, a German wine merchant's daughter and one of Peter's
mistresses. Martha took on the Orthodox faith, changed her name to Catherine,
and bore the Tsar 3 children. In 1707 Peter dropped his wife Eudoxia and
secretly married Martha (Catherine). Catherine was plump and appealed to the
Russian Muscovite taste. Peter loved her because she was vulgar and good
natured and could swear and drink like a man. She and Peter's close friend
Menshikov developed control over Peter. Peter used slave labor from all over
Russia to build Petersburg in the swamps at the mouth of the Neva River. It
claimed over 200,000 slaves over a 20-year period. Peter was a fanatic,
vicious, warped and mad by standard. Peter publically married Catherine in 1710
after he lost the war with Turkey. Peter brutally killed his son and heir
Alexis after torture, deciet, then killed many persons associated with Alexis
as well.
Peter and Catherine sired 11 children, all died but Anna and Elizabeth.
Catherine was crowned Empress in 1724 inside the Kremlin. Peter died in 1725.
He may best be judged by his view of his Russian countrymen: "They are animals,
whom I have dressed to look like men."
Source: The Romanovs by Virginia Cowles, Harper and Row, 1971, Page 44.
German farmer plowing in South Russia, slow, hard labor for man and
horse.