Cornelius Hoffius Page 587-588 - Cornelius Hoffius, whose law offices are established in suite 507-11 of the Michigan Trust building in Grand Rapids, has made a record of successful achievement in his chosen profession and has the distinction of having served eight consecutive years as prosecuting attorney of Kent county – a record that in duration has been unequalled by any other incumbent of this office in the entire history of the county, and a record that significantly indicates the ability and loyal stewardship of Mr. Hoffius, as well as the popular appreciation of the same. Mr. Hoffius is of Dutch stock, born August 5, 1881. He was a lad of six years when his parents came to the United States and established their home in Grand Rapids. His father, Martin Hoffius, and his mother, whose maiden name was Marie DeDrew, are both deceased. After completing his studies and graduating from the Grand Rapids high school, Mr. Hoffius gave eighteen months of service as a reporter for the Grand Rapids Press, and for six months he was similarly associated with the Grand Rapids Herald. Through such journalistic work Mr. Hoffius provided in appreciable degree the funds that enabled him to complete a course in the law department of the University of Michigan. While a student at the university he supplemented his income by serving as correspondent for various Michigan newspapers, including the Grand Rapids Herald. From the university he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1904, and June 1 of that year he was admitted to the Michigan bar and to practice before the supreme court of the state. Returning to Grand Rapids, Mr. Hoffius forthwith commenced the practice of his profession. He was soon called into official service as assistant prosecuting attorney of Kent county, a position which he held in 1905-06. In 1910-11 he was a member of the charter commission which drafted a new city charter for Grand Rapids. In 1916 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Kent county, which office he retained eight consecutive years, an unprecedented record, and voluntarily retired from office. He gave a most careful and vigorous administration as public prosecutor of the county and successfully prosecuted some of the most important criminal cases known in the history of the county. Since his retirement from office he has devoted himself closely to his private practice, and the scope and importance of the same marks him distinctly as one of the representative members of the Kent county bar. Mr. Hoffius is a member of the Michigan State Bar Association and the Kent County Bar Association. His political alignment is in the ranks of the Republican party. He and his wife have membership in the Fountain street, where is being erected for its use, a building 60 by 100 feet in including the Mystic Shrine and is also a member of the Elks and Modern Woodmen of America. In his civic and social connections he is a member of the Grand Rapids Association of Commerce, the Knickerbocker Society, the Peninsular and University Clubs, and the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan. On August 27, 1908, Mr. Hoffius wedded Miss Rose Kass, daughter of D. J. Kass, whose family was long and prominently associated with the Michigan lumber industry. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffius have one son, Richard Stuart, aged eleven years.

Transcriber: Nancy Myers
Created: 13 December 2002