John Thompson Hoffman

Infobox Governor
name = John Thompson Hoffman

---

order = 23rd
office = Governor of New York
term_start = 1869
term_end = 1872
lieutenant = Allen C. Beach
predecessor = Reuben E. Fenton
successor = John Adams Dix
birth_date = birth date|1828|1|10|mf=y
birth_place = Ossining, New York
death_date=death date and age|1888|3|24|1828|1|10
death_place = Germany
party = Democrat
spouse =
profession =
religion =

John Thompson Hoffman (10 January 1828ndash 24 March 1888) was born in Ossining in Westchester County, New York. He was governor of New York (1869 -1872). He was also a judge (elected 1860) and Mayor of New York (1866 - 1868). Connections to the Tweed Ring ruined his political career, in spite of the absence of evidence to show personal involvement in corrupt activities.

Early life

His father, Adrian Kissam Hoffman, was a physician in Westchester County. His father's parents, Philip L. Hoffman and Helena Kissam, were "among the most valuable members of early society in New York, and the founders of many public charities and benevolent works," "Harper's Weekly" effused. [http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1865/mayor-john-hoffman.htm] "John T. Hoffman, Mayor-Elect of New York City" article (without byline) on the front page of "Harper's Weekly", December 23, 1865]

He attended Union College starting in 1843 in the junior class, but had to leave for a time due to ill health, eventually graduating in 1846. He then studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1849 and set up shop in Manhattan.

High hopes of reformers

When he was elected mayor in 1865, reformers had high hopes for him. A front-page article in "Harper's Weekly" intoned:

It is many years since the city of New York has chosen for her Chief Magistrate a man of the position and reputation of John T. Hoffman. He is not only a gentleman of high social position, but a lawyer of distinction, a judge of eminent probity, a representative by descent of some of the oldest New York families, a citizen of unblemished reputation ...

Death

Hoffman died at Wiesbaden, Germany on 24 March 1888, aged 60. He was buried at Dale Cemetery in Ossining.

Legacy

*Hoffman Island is named for him.

References

External links

* [http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1865/mayor-john-hoffman.htm Harper's Weekly picture and article on Hoffman]