Franklin Hoffman my Great Grandfather's Obit.

Frank Hoffman Was Well Liked And Respected

Posted 10 Sep 2014 by dailynews5

Centerville Daily Iowegion And Citizen – May 03, 1940 – Page 6

Frank Hoffman Was Well Liked And Respected

Moravia, Iowa . — Frank Hoffman, the seventy-nine-year-old Appanoose county pioneer who died out in Wheatland, Wyoming, Tuesday, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Hoffman. He came to this country with his parents, from Pennsylvania , shortly after the close of the civil war.

  When young Frank was ready to set up a home of his own he wedded Elizabeth DuVall. That was fifty-eight years ago. Elizabeth was a sister of William DuVall, commonly known as “Bill”, and Robert DuVall, called “Bobby.” Both were well known in this locality.

  Elizabeth wah a cousin to Henry DuVall. And the thought of Henry starts a train of happy childhood memories.

  Henry, another Appanoose county pioneer will long be remembered by youngsters of that period for his generous hospitality in allowing them to ride beside him in the cab of his monstrous steam engine. For Henry owned a steam engine threshing outfit.

  The thrills that raced gloriously from tip to toe on those all-too-rare occasions, are experienced again in fancy. Hanging perilously onto the cab of that magic steam-driven machine as it puffed over the rutted, dusty roads or bumped along through the rough stubble ground in wheat fields, was an un-paralled adventure. Often was Henry matching speed with an approaching rain storm which threatened the harvest.

  The Frank Hoffmans lived on a farm about two miles east of Moravia, the farm that was later occupied by Robert DuVall. They were parents of three children: Grace, Robert and Lee. 

  The thrills that raced gloriously from tip to toe on those all-too-rare occasions, are experienced again in fancy. Hanging perilously onto the cab of that magic steam-driven machine as it puffed over the rutted, dusty roads or bumped along through the rough stubble ground in wheat fields, was an un-paralled adventure. Often was Henry matching speed with an approaching rain storm which threatened the harvest.

  The Frank Hoffmans lived on a farm about two miles east of Moravia, the farm that was later occupied by Robert DuVall. They were parents of three children: Grace, Robert and Lee. Grace became the wife of Dan Scott. They went to Wyoming several years ago where she passed away, at Wheatland, in 1937. Lee lives at Slater, Wyoming, and Robert's home is about five miles northwest of Moravia.

  Mrs. Hoffman died in 1904. Sixteen years later Mr. Hoffman went to Wyoming where he shared the home of his grandson , Frank Scott, in Wheatland.

  Father Sanford Hoffman was a very religious man. He was a member of the old Methodist church in Moravia. Back in those days ones religious ardor was measured some what by the length and fervor of the prayers offered at the midweek prayer meeting . Old timers recall Sanford Hoffman as a zealous Christian character in every respect.

  Frank Hoffman's uncle Hague was Moravia’s most popular pioneer doctor H.H. Hoffman M. D. Most all the mid-century native-born residents of this vicinity were ushered in to the world by this good physician.

  Frank Hoffman is remembered by old friends as a quiet, conservative citizen. A highly respected man who held on, to the last, to that which was good.

My Mother talked of this Grandfather often and with great respect and loved his personality.  I love the story of when Grandad Lee married as the best. GGrandpa Frank had a supper funny way with words and life.