John Hoffmeyer

John Hoffmeyer, farmer, section 24, Osceola Township, was born May 8, 1833, in Perth Co., Ont. His parents were born im Germany, where his father pursued the vocation of millwright. They emigrated fro the fatherland in early life, settling in Canada. The father died there about 1863. In 1866 the mother became an inmate of the family of her son. She died in 1883, aged 81 years.

Mr. Hoffmeyer was a pupil in the common schools until he was 19 years old. He began his career of independence as a teamster, which was his business about three years. In the fall of 1855 he went to Toledo, Ohio, where he obtained employment in the ship-yards. He continued to work there and as a carpenter two years. In 1857 he went to work in the machine shops of the railroad at Toledo, and in the switch-yard, and was appointed fireman on the Michigan Southern Railroad. Six months of service in that position was succeeded by an appointment as engineer for the same corporation, in which capacity he operated two years. He next engaged as engineer on the cleveland Railroad, where he was occupied three years. In 18--, associated with another man, he purchased a canal boat. After 18 months of canal experience he disposed of his interest in inland navigation property and returned to Toledo, where he again engaged in the ship-yards. One year later he came to Osceola County and labored a year in the saw-mills of D.A. Blodgett. At the end of that time he located on the Muskegon River, at a point now included in Osceola Township. This was in 1866, and he was the first settler in the township, his nearest neighbor being 16 miles distant. He secured his farm under the regulations of the homestead law, including 160 acres of land. He is now the owner of 270 acres of land in Osceola Township and 510 acres in the county. He had a choice and valuable farm, now comprising 110 acres of improved and cultivated land. He is a decided Republican and radical in his political views. He has officiated five years as Justice of the Peace and held several other official positions in Osceola Township.

He was married Oct. 7, 1855, in Toledo, to Mary A. Dane. They have had eight children. Two died when infants. Edward, Frank, charles, Laura, Alonzo and Ella M. are living. Mrs. Hoffmeyer was born Sept. 28, 1833, in England, which was the native country of her parents, Richard and Ann Dane. The family came to Ontario in 1841, where the father died about 1850, and the mother July 25, 1884. The death of the father left a family of six children dependent upon the exertions of the older members. Mrs. Hoffmeyer was the oldest and devoted herself to the maintenance of the family until her marriage.

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