Walter O. Hoffecker

Infobox Officeholder
honorific-prefix =
name = Walter O. Hoffecker
honorific-suffix =

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imagesize =
small

office = U.S. Representative from Delaware
term_start = November 6 1900
term_end = March 3 1901
predecessor = John H. Hoffecker
successor = L. Heisler Ball
birth_date = birth date|1854|9|20|mf=y
birth_place = Smyrna, Delaware
death_date =death date and age|1934|1|23|1854|9|20
death_place = Smyrna, Delaware
spouse =
party = Republican
residence = Smyrna, Delaware
alma_mater = Lehigh University
occupation =
profession = engineer
religion =

Walter Oakley Hoffecker (September 20 1854 – January 23 1934) was an American engineer, businessman 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 20 1854 in Smyrna, Delaware. He graduated from Smyrna Seminary in 1872 and in September 1873 entered Lehigh University at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he studied civil engineering.

Professional career

Hoffecker was engaged in a variety of business ventures in the Smyrna area including farming, insurance, banking and canning. As a professional engineer, with interest and expertise in transportation issues, he succeeded his father, as President of the Philadelphia & Smyrna Transportation Co. He was also a Director of the Delaware Railroad, and a member of the original State highway commission in 1917. Hoffecker’s banking interest was the Fruit Growers Bank and Trust of Smyrna, of which he was President for thirty-two years.

In a special election on November 6, 1900 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his father, U.S. Representative John H. Hoffecker, Walter Hoffecker was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Democrat Edward Fowler. He served in the Republican majority during the last session of the 56th Congress. He did not seek reelection to a full term and so served only from November 6, 1900 until March 4 1901, during the administration of U.S. President William McKinley. Several years later, in 1908, Hoffecker was a delegate to the Republican National Convention.

Death and legacy

Hoffecker died January 23 1934 in Smyrna, Delaware and is buried in the Glenwood Cemetery in Smyrna.

Public offices

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. U.S. Representatives took office March 4th and have terms of two years.