- Francis Hoffmann
Francis Arnold Hoffmann (
June 5 1822 –January 23 1903 ) was a Lutheran clergyman, politician and writer.He was born in
Westphalia ,Prussia , the son of Fredrick and Wilhelmina (Groppe) Hoffmann. In 1840 he emigrated to theUnited States to avoid conscription, and settled in Illinois.Hoffmann was a teacher and a pastor in Dunklee's Grove (now
Bensenville, Illinois ) until 1847. During this time he became active in public affairs and served as postmaster, town clerk and member of the school board. He also began writing and contributed articles to the Chicago "Democrat" and "Prairie Farmer". In 1844 he married Cynthia Gilbert.He served as pastor and teacher at St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in Schaumburg from 1847 to 1851. In 1851 Hoffmann moved to Chicago, studied law and became an attorney. In 1852 he was elected to the city council. Hoffmann worked to attract German immigrants to Chicago and was able to establish a successful banking business using the money entrusted to him by the German community.
During the Civil War he helped to found the Republican Party in Illinois and was the Lieutenant Governor of that state from 1861 to 1865. He supported
Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.As an agricultural writer and editor, he wrote using the pen name "Hans Buschbauer".
References
* Lacher, J. H. A. [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/wmh&CISOPTR=7224&CISOSHOW=7070 "Francis A. Hoffmann of Illinois and Hans Buschbauer of Wisconsin"] "Wisconsin Magazine Of History". Volume: 13 /Issue: 4 (1929-1930)
* "Francis Arnold Hoffmann." "Dictionary of American Biography Base Set." American Council of Learned Societies, 1928-1936.
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