Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 990 - 993

JOSHUA HOFF, one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Attica Township, residing on section 19, is a native of Maryland, having been born in Washington County, Dec. 5, 1836. His parents, Jacob and Susanna (Spielman) Hoff, were both natives of the same State, and of German ancestry. His father was born Sept. 19, 1808, and his mother July 21, 1815. The former was a miller by trade, but also during his life ran a distillery, and later on a farm, and the subject of our sketch was reared upon the latter, where he received the elements of an agricultural education.

            In the common schools of Ohio Joshua was led through the flowery paths of knowledge, his father having moved to that State with his family when our subject was only ten months old. The household was established in Ashland County, and there the gentleman of whom we write remained until he had almost attained his twentieth year, when he removed to DeWitt County, Ill. Remaining in the latter place, engaged in farm labor by the month, until 1865, he then enlisted in Company K, 152d Illinois Volunteers, but saw no active service, and was not called upon to participate in any of the sanguinary contests which marked the great Civil War. He received, however, a special commendation upon his neatness and soldiery appearance from Gen. N. A. M. Dudley, who commanded his brigade. He was mustered out of the service, and received his discharge in September, 1865, and returned to DeWitt County, where he took up his agricultural pursuits, finding employment by the month.

            While a resident of that portion of the Prairie State, Mr. Hoff was united in marriage, Feb. 28, 1867, with Miss Emily Barnett, a native of Vinton County, Ohio, born Dec. 3, 1847, and daughter of Valentine and Barbara (Smith) Barnett, who were natives of Ohio, of German descent. After his marriage our subject rented a tract of land, and entering upon its tillage, made his home in DeWitt County until 1876, when he moved to Kansas, and settling in Sedgwick County, rented land for the succeeding five years. At the expiration of that time he traded a span of mules for the 160 acres where he at present lives. He has the place well improved, and in a good condition of cultivation, and although the architect of his own fortune, is in comfortable circumstances. In politics he is a Republican, and adheres closely to party lines, and has held the position of Treasurer of the School District for some two years. He and his family enjoy the respect of all who know them, and they are greatly beloved by all for their genial hospitality. Mr. and Mrs. Hoff have been the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are living. The record of them is as follows: Alice was born July 15, 1868, and married Lewis Ayers, Oct. 11, 1886, and is a resident of Reno County, this State; Samuel, whose birth occurred Oct. 14, 1869, died April 25, 1871; Lucy was born March 18, 1871, and married Jesse Beaver, Feb. 29, 1884, and lives in Cherry Vale, this State; Franklin Oscar was born Dec. 5, 1872; Sarah, Jan. 26, 1874; Susanna, whose birth took place Aug. 13, 1875, died Aug. 12, 1876; Frances' birth occurred Sept. 2, 1878; Ivan was born Sept. 3, 1880; John B., Aug. 1, 1883, and May Belle, May 8, 1885. Of two infant daughters who died unnamed, the first was born and died Aug. 2, 1877, and the other Sept. 3, 1887.

             As a relic that will be prized by his children, and by their descendants, the text of the general order complimenting Mr. Hoff is hereby attached:

Headquarters Second Brigade,

First Sub-div. Mid. Tenn.

TULLAHOMA, TENN., May 14, 1865.

Joshua Hoff, Company K, 152d Illinois Volunteers, is excused from all duties except afternoon drills for one week, he being one of the most neat and soldierly appearing men on picket guard mounting to-day.           

By command of

Brevet Brig. Gen. N. A. M. DUDLEY.

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