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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
Charles V. Hoffmann, a member of the Herald Publishing Company of Oskaloosa, was born in this city, January 28, 1860. His father, Phillip Hoffmann, Sr., was a native of Germany and came to America in 1853. He went from New Orleans to Cincinnati, Ohio. and in 1855 came to Iowa, where he continued to follow the trades of cabinet-making and glazier, which he had learned in his native land. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ellen Addy, was a native of Ireland. Charles V. Hoffmann acquired a public- school education in Oskaloosa and in 1877 became apprenticed to the printers trade in newspaper business, which he thoroughly mastered in all of its branches, gaining a practical knowledge of the work in the several departments. In 1889 he was elected treasurer of Mahaska county and by re-election served for two terms. In 1894 he turned his attention to the steam laundry business in connection with his brother Phillip and continued therein until December 1, 1896, when they sold out and together they purchased from Colonel Albert W. and Pauline Swalm the Oskaboosa Daily and Weekly Herald; which they are still conducting, being associated in this enterprise with C. S. Walling and Margaret Hoffmann. The business was incorporated in 1905 under the name of the Oskaloosa Herald Company. The papers occupy a foremost position among the leading journals of Iowa and both daily and weekly have a large circulation which renders them an excellent advertising medium and, their patronage in that direction is extensive and profitable. The papers are edited in the interests of the republican party and Mr. Hoffmann of this review has for a number of years been recognized as a leading advocate of republican principles, strong in his support of the party. He was appointed postmaster of Oskaloosa by President McKinley in 1897, was re-appointed in 1901 and again in 1905, so that he is the present incumbent in the office, and the fact that he has received the endorsement of his fellow townsmen for three terms is ample evidence of his public-spirited administration and his prompt and capable service. On the 20th of May, 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hoffmann and Miss Grace Seevers, a daughter of Hon. W. H. Seevers, of Oskaloosa. Their children are Gladys and Guilford. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann have always resided in this city and their circle of friends is an extensive one, while the hospitality of many of the best homes of Oskaloosa is cordially and freely extended to them.
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy