John H. Hoffecker

Infobox Officeholder
honorific-prefix =
name = John H. Hoffecker
honorific-suffix =

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office = U.S. Representative from Delaware
term_start = March 4 1899
term_end = June 16 1900
predecessor = L. Irving Handy
successor = Walter O. Hoffecker
birth_date = birth date|1827|9|12|mf=y
birth_place = Smyrna, Delaware
death_date =death date and age|1900|6|16|1827|9|12
death_place = Smyrna, Delaware
spouse =
party = Republican
residence = Smyrna, Delaware
alma_mater =
occupation = engineer
profession =
religion =

John Henry Hoffecker (September 12 1827 – June 16 1900) was an American engineer, and politician, from Smyrna, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served as U. S. Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family

Hoffecker was born September 12 1827 in Kent County, near Smyrna, Delaware, the son of Joseph and Rachel Van Gasken Hoffecker. He studied civil engineering and entered into that profession in 1853. He married twice, first to Annie E. Appleton, with whom he had four children, Walter, John A., James Edwin, and Annie. He married secondly, Charlotte Jerman, the widow of Joseph H. Hoffecker. She had been a missionary in China from 1875 to 1878.

Professional and political career

Hoffecker was originally a member of the Whig Party, but like so many others, became a Republican, in 1856. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1876 and 1884. He was also president of the Smyrna town council from 1878 until 1898. Elected to the State House in 1888, he served in the 1889/90 session and was chosen to be the Speaker. He ran for Governor in 1896 as the candidate of the Union (Addicks) Republicans and the National Prohibition Party. However, enough votes went to the Regular Republican candidate, John C. Higgins, that the Democrat, Ebe W. Tunnell was elected.

Hoffecker was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1898, defeating incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative L. Irving Handy.. He served in the Republican majority in the 56th Congress. During a visit home from the 1900 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, Hoffecker suffered a stroke and died. He had served from March 4, 1899 until his death on June 16 1900, during the administration of U.S. President William McKinley.

Death and legacy

Hoffecker died June 16 1900 in Smyrna, Delaware and is buried in the Glenwood Cemetery in Smyrna. His son, Walter O. Hoffecker, was elected to finish his term in the United States House of Representatives.

Public offices

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. Members of the Delaware General Assembly take office the second Tuesday of January. The State House members have a two year term. U.S. Representatives took office March 4th and also have two year terms.