Obituaries and Census Records
Obituary from the Fairbury Blade:
Paul Hoffmann Killed As Train Strikes Auto
Jacob Bohning, of Germany, Meets Death in Same Accident, Which Occurred at Bucyrus, Ohio.
Paul Hoffmann, aged 55 years, a well known and highly esteemed farmer residing four miles southeast of Fairbury, and Jacob Bohning, of Selminger, Germany, were both killed yesterday morning about five o’clock at Bucyrus, O., when the Hoffmann car was struck by a fast Pennsylvania passenger train.
Mr. Hoffmann had left Fairbury on Tuesday morning and gone to Mansfield, O., where he had met Martin Steidinger, Peter Schaffer and John Bolliger, also of Fairbury. These later three gentlemen had gone to Rockville, Conn., last week, where they had met four elders of the Apostolic Christian church, who had come to this country from Switzerland and Germany on a business mission connected with the church. All three cars had left Mansfield early yesterday morning on their way to Bucyrus, where the accident occurred.
The following message from Bucyrus tells of the accident:
Bucyrus, O., Sept. 21 (Special to The Blade)–Jacob Bohning, aged 62, of Selminger,
Germany, and Paul Hoffmann, aged 55, of Fairbury, Illinois, were instantly killed when their
automobile was struck by a fast westbound Pennsylvania passenger train on the
Lincoln highway crossing here at five o’clock this morning. Both died of skull
fracture.
Hoffmann, with Peter Schaffer, John Bolliger and Martin Steidinger, Fairbury,
and Earl Baer, of Remington, Ind., had gone to Mansfield, O., to meet Bohning and Otto Killey, of Germany, father of Peoria, Illinois, woman; and Jacob Kuenzie and Elmer Obrecht,
of Berne, Switzerland. This party of four had arrived from the Old Country last Friday in New York City, and had visited in Connecticut before starting west to meet Illinois friends at
Mansfield.
Bohning was riding with Hoffmann while the others were in two other cars. The other
two cars passed over the crossing and continued west to Upper Sanducky, 18 miles from
here, where they discovered the Hoffmann car was missing. They turned back in
search and upon arriving at the crossing here found the demolished car. The bodies
had been removed to funeral parlor [sic].
This crossing is not protected between midnight and 6 o’clock in the morning.
Two motorists from Johnstown, Pa., saw the accident, and reported the Hoffmann car drove
directly in front of the train. Bodies being shipped to Fairbury this afternoon.
Obituary
Paul Hoffmann was born in Renourc, France, May 7, 1878, being at the time of his death aged 55 years, 4 months, and 14 days. His parents were Jacob and Christina Hoffmann.
When five years of age Mr. Hoffmann came with the family to this country, locating at Forrest. Later they went to Cissna Park, where he received his education and where he grew to young manhood.
On December 7, 1902, in this city, Mr. Hoffmann was united in marriage to Miss Emma Slagel, and he had resided in this vicinity since that time. Surviving besides Mrs. Hoffmann are the following children: Mrs. Marie Kilgus, of Fairbury; Mrs. Martha Ifft, of Forrest; Joe, Leona, Levi, Alice, Sam, Paul, Ralph and Clyde, at home. There are also brothers and sisters as follows: John, of Renourc, France; Joe, of Roanoke; Andy, of Fountain Creek; Sam, of Cissna Park; Mrs. Lena Yost, of Fairbury; Mrs. Carrie Stoller, of Peoria; Mrs. Lydia Swing, of San Pierre, Ind.; Mrs. Maggie Springer, of Congerville; Mrs. Lucy Farney, of Fountain Creek. His father passed away in this city January 20, 1914, and his mother died at Cissna Park in September, 1908.
Mr. Hoffmann was a member of the Apostolic Christian church. A good neighbor and a kind husband and father, he will be missed both by his family and many friends.
Funeral arrangements had not been made last evening, pending the arrival of the remains, which were expected to arrive last night or this morning.
Rites for Fairbury Train Victim Sunday
Pantagraph Central Illinois Service
Fairbury–The funeral for Paul Hoffman, who was killed when an automobile in which he was riding was struck by a train in Mansfield, Ohio, Thursday, will be held at the home here at 2 p.m. Sunday. Burial will be in Graceland cemetery.
Paul Hoffman was the son of Jacob and Christina Hoffman, and was born in Renourc, France, May 7, 1878. He came to this country with his parents and attended the Cissna Park schools. On Dec. 7, 1902, he married Miss Emma Slagel, who survives with the following children: Mrs. Marie Kilgus, Fairbury; Mrs. Martha Ifft, Strawn; Joe, Leona, Levi, Alice, Sam, Paul, and Ralph abnd Clyde, at home.
Brothers and sisters are: John of Renourc, France; Joe, Roanoke; Andy, Fountain Creek; Sam, Cissna Park; Mrs. Lena Yot [sic], Fairbury; Mrs. Carrie Stoller, Peoria; Mrs. Lydia Irving, San Pierre, Ind.; Mrs. Maggie Spring, Congerville, and Miss Lucy Farney, Fountain Creek. Mr. Hoffman was a member of the Apostolic Christian church.
The body of Jacob Bohning of Selminger, Germany who was also killed in the same accident, was brought here to the home of Emil Hoerr. Rites will be held at the Paul Hoffman residence Sunday afternoon at the same hour.
MANSFIELD STREET CROSSING SCENE OF HORRIBLE ACCIDENT
When the automobile, in which they were riding, was struck by the fast passenger train No. 29, at the East Mansfield street crossing of the Pennsylvania railroad Thursday morning at the early hour of five, Jacob Bohning, aged 62, of Oelminger, Wurtemburg, Germany, a visitor in this country for only six days and Paul Hoffman, 55, of Fairbury, Illinois, were killed, death resulted from skull fractures.
The automobile belonged to the latter, which was reduced to a mass of wreckage. The dead men were removed to the Wise funeral home, where they were prepared for shipment to Illinois.
Two Johnstown, Pennsylvania residents were eye witnesses to the crash, told local police that they were driving a short distance behind the Hoffman car, and said they drove onto the tracks right in the path of the engine, pulling one of the fastest trains operated by the railroad company.
It is the westbound section of the famed Broadway limited and was in charge of Conductor Tyler and George Van Osdale, engineer. Protection is maintained at this crossing sixteen hours a day. From 10:30 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. the crossing is unprotected. Mr. Hoffman was married and it is stated the father of ten children. Mr. Bohning leaves a wife in Germany.
It will be remembered by Bucyrus residents that this is the same crossing where Miss Kathryn Scott and Pearl Shalter, both school teachers, were instantly killed in a closed buggy on Christmas eve about twenty years ago, when they were returning from Miss Scott’s home, near Sulphur Springs, with the Christmas treat for their youngsters. Debris and wreckage was strewn past the Walnut street crossing.
Obituary
Paul Hoffman was born in Renourc, France, May 7, 1878, the son of Jacob and Christina Hoffmann.
When five years of age Mr. Hoffman came to this country, locating at Forrest. Later they went to Cissna Park where he received his education and grew to manhood.
On December 7, 1902, in this city Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage to Emma Slagel, and he has resided in this vicinity since that time. Surviving besides Mrs. Hoffman are the following children: Mrs. Marie Kilgus of Fairbury; Mrs. Martha Ifft, of Forrest; Joe, Leona, Levi, Alice, Sam, Paul, Ralph and Clyde, at home. There are also brothers and sisters as follows: John of Renourc, France; Joe, of Roanoke; Andy and Sam of Cissna Park; Mrs. Lena Yost of Fairbury; Mrs. Carrie Stoller of Peoria; Mrs. Lydia Swing of San Pierre, Ind., Mrs. Lucy Farney of Cissna Park; Mrs. Maggie Springer of Congerville.
Mr. Hoffman was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church. A good neighbor and kind husband and father, he will be missed both by his family and many friends.”
Funeral services for the two men were held jointly at Fairbury on Sunday afternoon, with Rev. Kuenzig in charge.
Among those to attend the funeral of Mr. Paul Hoffman at Fairbury on Sunday were:—Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Hoffman and family, Mr. and Mrs. Andy Hoffman and family, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Farney, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Yergler, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Schmidt and Mrs. John Enz, Phil Schmidt, Theo. Roll and Mother, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Gudeman and and [sic] family, Christ Young and family, Fred Young and family, Sam Rudin and family, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Meuhling and daughter Mary, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Steiner and Sophie Kaufman.
Funeral Held Sunday.
Funeral services for the late Paul Hoffmann, who was killed when the automobile in which he was riding was struck by a train near Mansfield, Ohio, Thursday morning, September 21, were held at the home southeast of this city Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Burial was in Graceland cemetery.
The body of Jacob Bohning, of Selminger, Germany, who was also killed in the same accident, was brought here to the home of Emil Hoerr. The rites were held at the Paul Hoffmann residence Sunday afternoon at the same hour.
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Card of Thanks
We take this means of expressing our thanks to our friends and neighbors for their many acts of kindess and sympathy shown us in our bereavement.—Mrs. Paul Hoffmann and Family.
Indian Grove Twp., Livingston, Illinois Apr 12 1930
84 84 Kilgus, Herman J. Head R R yes M W 26 M 22 No yes Illinois Germany Illinois 61 13 1 yes Farmer General Farming VVVV 0 yes No 31
—Marie A. Wife-H x F W 26 M 22 No yes Illinois Alsace-Lorraine Illinois 61 12 1 yes none
—Richard H. Son x M W 0 8/12 S No Illinois Illinois Illinois 61 none
85 85 Hoffman, Paul Head 0 yes M W 51 M 23 No yes France Alsace-Lorraine Alsace-Lorraine French 12 12 v 1883 No yes Farm Operator
—, Emma Wife-H x F W 50 M 22 No yes Illinois Wisconsin Germany 61 13 2 yes None
—, Joseph B. Son x M W 22 S No yes Illinois France Illinois 61 12 1 yes Farm Worker General Farming V 1 V V W no 12 No
—, Leona A. [sic] Daughter x F W 20 S No yes Illinois France Illinois 61 12 1 yes None
—, Levi J. son x M W 18 s No yes Illinois France Illinois 61 12 1 yes Farm Worker Farming V O VV NP yes
—, E. Alice Daughter x F W 15 s yes yes Illinois France Illinois 61 12 1 yes None
—, Samuel N. son x M W 12 s yes yes Illinois France Illinois 61 12 1 yes None
—, Paul Jr. son x M W 9 s yes yes Illinois France Illinois 61 12 1 yes None
—, Ralph E. son x M W 6 s no Illinois France Illinois 61 12 1 yes None
—, Clyde R. son x M W 3 6/12 s no None
Illinois, Livingston, Indian Grove Township, January 19-20, 1920 Forrest L. Fitzgerald Sup 9 Enum 29 Sheet 15B Image 30 of 35
Jan. 20 Fm
380 385 Hoofman Paull head O M M W 41 M 1883 No yes yes France French France French France French yes yes Farmer OA
—Emma wife F W 39 M yes yes Illinois Wisconsin Germany German no none
—Marie daughter F W 16 S no yes yes Illinois France French Illinois yes none
—Martha daughter F W 14 S no yes yes Illinois France French Illinois yes none
—Joseph son M W 12 S yes yes yes Illinois France French Illinois yes none
—Leona daughter F W 10 S yes yes yes Illinois France French Illinois yes none
—Levi son M W 7 S yes Illinois France French Illinois none
—Alice Emma daughter F W 5 3/4 S Illinois France French Illinois none
—Samuel son M W 2 1/2 [?] S yes yes Illinois France French Illinois none