Christian Hoffman

b. 15 August 1882, d. 13 February 1977

Christian Hoffman, 1882-1977
  • Christian Hoffman was born on 15 August 1882 in Ohio.
  • He was known as Christ.
  • George H. Hoffman and Louisa Lehnert appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio, at 412 Perry Street. Other members of the household included Christian Hoffman, Clara Hoffman, Louise Hoffman and Margaret M. Hoffman.
  • He was a blacksmith, according to the 1900 census.
  • The following appeared on 18 October 1900 in the Sandusky Daily Star: Mr. and Mrs. George Hoffman and family of six children leave Monday for Buffalo, where they will make their future home. their many friends will regret their departure and will wish them a pleasant journey. The Christian Endeavor society of Emanuel Evangelical church, of which Miss Clara Hoffman is a members, gave a farewell reception in her honor last evening. Rev. J. G. Ensslin, the pastor, delivered a short talk, and Miss Held made a few remarks, appropriate to the occasion, bidding farewell and God speed to Miss Hoffman. During the evening dainty refreshments were served and there were several musical selections rendered.
  • A photographic portrait was made of George and Louisa Hoffman and family, about 1903.
    George and Louisa Hoffman and family, about 1903
  • Christ Hoffman purchased Fred Phillips' horseshoing business in 1903:
         F. S. Phillips, Practical Horse Shoer
         966 Ellicott Street
    I hearby agree to sell to Christian Hoffman my horseshoeing business, located at 966 Ellicott St. Buffalo, N.Y.
    Also equipments for one fire.
    For the sum of $95 to be paid
    Thus:           $50 cash on or before March 1
                        $20 to be paid by 2 weeks work in said shop.
                        $25 within 28 days
                        $95 total
    This to take effect March 1, 1903.
         Fred S. Phillips
    I agree to buy aforesaid business at aforesaid price & agreement.
         Christian Hoffman.
    Christ Hoffman purchases Fred Phillips' horeshoing business, 1903
  • Christ Hoffman had the following reference from his apprenticeship:
         Sandusky, Ohio, March 14, 1903
         David Bruckner, Blacksmith, Horseshoer and Wagonsmith
         Corner Tiffin Avenue and Monroe Street
    To whom it may concern,
         The bearer of this, Mr. Christ Hoffman, was in my employ as apprentice for three years from March 14, 1898 to Apr. 4, 1901. I always found him a good workman, honest, diligent and faithful in the discharge of his duties and I cheerfully recommend him as a competent horseshoer, and know him to be responsible to the full extent of his engagements.
          Very respectfully, David Bruckner.
    Christ Hoffman, 1903 reference from blacksmith, horseshoer & wagonsmith David Bruckner
  • He married Anna Maria Christina Borth, daughter of Frederick Christian Borth and Margaretha Kammerer, on 9 May 1906 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 213 Grape Street, at the home of the bride's parents, with Rev. E. F. Bachman officiating.
  • The following appeared in the Buffalo Courier: The marriage of Miss Anna Mary Borth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Borth, to Mr. Christian Hoffman was solemnized Wednesday evening at the home of the bride's parents in Grape Street, the Rev. E. F. Bachman officiating.
         The bride wore white French lawn trimmed with lace and carried a bouquet of white roses and lilies of the valley. She was attended by Miss Eleanor Doehnert, maid of honor, gowned in white dotted Swiss trimmed with Valenciennes lace and carrying roses. The two bridesmaids, Miss Lucy Hoffman and Miss Margaret Borth, wore white dotted mull and carried pink carnations. The best man was Mr. George Borth; the groomsmen were Mr. H. Berner and Mr. George J. Barnett andMiss Louise Eimer played the Lohengrin wedding march.
         The bride's table at the wedding supper was laid for twenty-two. Among the out-of-town guests were Mr. J. Kammerer and Miss Marcie Kammerer
    of Toronto, Mr. and Mrs. M. Bloy of Cleveland, Mr. John Kammerer, Miss Ada Kammerer, Miss Lucille Kammerer, Mrs. A. Vorwerk and Mr. F. Hartwig of Niagara Falls, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Eimer, Miss Louise Eimer, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ford, Mrs. O. Young, Mrs. A. Hoffman, Miss Hoffman and Mr. M. Mayle of Niagara Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have gone on an eastern trip and will be home after July 1st aat No. 141 Eaton Street.
  • Christian Hoffman and Anna Maria Christina Borth appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 756 Glenwood Avenue living not far from Mate's cousin Addie Gaise.. Other members of the household included Ruth Mary Hoffman and Esther Louise Hoffman.
  • He was self-employed as a blacksmith making horseshoes, according to the 1910 census.
  • Christ Hoffman was photographed at his horseshoeing shop on Ellicott Street in Buffalo, about 1911.
    Christ Hoffman (center) in front of his horseshoing shop on Ellicott Street in Buffalo.
    Christ Hoffman (at anvil) in his horseshoing shop on Ellicott Street in Buffalo.
  • Christian Hoffman registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in Erie County, New York, while living with his wife Anna Mary at 756 Glenwood in Buffalo, and self-employed there at 409 Ellicott as a horseshoer.
  • Photograph of the Hoffman Garage during the early days, about 1919.
    Early days at the Hoffman Garage in Buffalo, about 1919
  • Christian Hoffman appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Buffalo, New York, at 756 Glenwood Avenue. Other members of the household included Ruth Mary Hoffman, Esther Louise Hoffman, Christian Charles Hoffman, Edith Dorothy Hoffman, George Daniel Hoffman and Carol Elizabeth Hoffman.
  • He was proprietor of a garage, according to the 1920 census.
  • The following appeared on 7 April 1924 in The Evening News: [Died] In North Tonawanda, April 5, 1924, George Hoffman, Jr., husband of Jenny Snowden Hoffman, son of George Hoffman and the late Louise Hoffman, brother of Peter Christian and Mrs. William H. Kessel, Mrs. Arthur Oehler of Buffalo, N. Y., and Mrs. Howard Brewer of Lockport, N. Y. Deceased was a member of Typographical Union No. 9. Funeral services from the late residence 25 Ward Road, North Tonawanda, N. Y., Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock and from Kenmore Baptist church at 2 o'clock. Friends invited to attend. Sandusky, O., papers please copy.
  • Christian Hoffman and Anna Maria Christina Borth appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Buffalo, New York, at 756 Glenwood Avenue. Other members of the household included Ruth Mary Hoffman, Esther Louise Hoffman, Christian Charles Hoffman, Edith Dorothy Hoffman, George Daniel Hoffman and Carol Elizabeth Hoffman.
  • He was proprietor of a garage, according to the 1930 census.
  • Hoffman's Market Garage on Ellicott Street was photographed during a 1930s Buffalo winter.
    Hoffman's Market Garage on Ellicott Street, 1930s
    Hoffman's Market Garage on Ellicott Street, 1930s
  • The following appeared on 25 July 1939 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: [Died] In this city, July 22, 1939, Louise Hoffman Oehler, beloved wife of Arthur O. Oehler; mother of Irving A., Marion L. and Jane U. Ohler; sister of Mrs. William Kessel, Mrs. Howard Brewer of Lockport, N. Y., Peter and Christ Hoffman. Funeral services from the family residence, 75 East Northrup Place, Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Friends invited to attend.
  • Christ and Mate Borth had a photographic portrait made during the 1940s.
    Christ and Mate Borth Hoffman
  • Christ and Mate Hoffman were photographed with some of their family, about 1955.
    Christ and Mate Hoffman family gathering, about 1955
  • The following appeared on 24 July 1955 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: George Dan'l Hoffman's recent one-man art show and song recital at the Twentieth Century Club drew your Good Listener's attention to the exceptionally talented Hoffman family -- six sons and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Hoffman, 751 Glenwood Ave.
         Christian Hoffman Sr. made his start as a blacksmith, then, changing with the times, became the owner of a garage and repair shop for cars. Although he and his wife were limited in schooling, they encouraged their sons and daughters to develop their abilities through education.
         Their daughter, Ruth, studied home economics at Buffalo State Teachers College, from where she was graduated. She is dietitian at Seneca Vocational High School.
         The second daughter, Mrs. Alfred Schillke of Eggertsville, a graduate of the Buffalo School of Fine Arts, is a former teacher of art in local public schools. Lately, she conducted the art course in the Vacation Bible School of Ascension Lutheran Church, Snyder.
         Christian Hoffman Jr., a graduate of Oswego State Teachers College, is a member of the faculty of Burgard Vocational High School. He has taken graduate courses at the University of Buffalo. The third daughter, Mrs. Carl [E]yring of Arizona, channels her artistic talent in the field of dress designing.
         George Dan'l Hoffman of New York has sung in Carnegie Hall and painted portraits of many outstanding Americans. His study of art, begun at the Buffalo School of Fine Arts, was continued at the Parsons Art School and Cooper Union Institute of New York. Currently he is conducting summer art classes at his Snyder studio.
         Mrs. Henry J[uette] of Snyder, youngest member of the family, made an intensive study of music. She is a church choir soloist, piano teacher, and former president of the Piano Teachers' Forum of Buffalo.
         This family is an excellent example of the opportunities available to Americans possessing talent and the perseverance essential to its development.
  • During May 1956, Christ and Mate Hoffman celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and family members posed for a group photograph.
  • Christian Hoffman became a widower at the 22 October 1956 death of his wife Anna Maria Christina Borth.
  • The following appeared on 28 May 1970 in the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal: Margaret M. Brewer of 377 Hawley Street, passed away at Mount View Hospital Tuesday, May 16, 1970. Wife of the late Howard J. Brewer, she leaves one son, Clinton D. Brewer, Lockport, and one daughter, Mrs. Alvin (Mary Louise) W. Bell, Rochester, Minn., five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Also survived by one brother, Christian Hoffman, Buffalo, and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 o'clock at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Greness Street, where funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at two o'clock. Interment in Cold Spring Cemetery.
  • The SSDI lists Buffalo, Erie County, New York, as the last residence of record of Christian Hoffman.
  • Christian Hoffman died on 13 February 1977 at age 94.
  • He was interred at Acacia Park Cemetery, North Tonawanda, Niagara County, New York.
  • A single grave marker identifies the graves of Christian Hoffman and Anna Maria Christina Borth.
    Christ and Mate Borth Hoffman, Acacia Park Cemetery, North Tonawanda, Niagara County, New York
  • Last Edited: 16 Mar 2017

Family: Anna Maria Christina Borth b. 23 October 1884, d. 22 October 1956