The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-12-01

1aEiisl. SRl1IlZg
Dcalh OF Judge JOsEn $.
Hoffman.

Again hrs death invaded our sister
county, aud tukcE from her md US, q
citizen distinguished by his talents, his
worth. ard his lcga! learning, and en-
joying the confidence and affection of
his couutrymCu. In the Providence of
God these yisitations como to warn US
that none are exempt FROM the decree
that in life We arc iu the midst Of death,
aud that "bo &c also ready" is q solemn
admouition, announced to US from the
cradle to the grave, by the mighty and
tho lOwly, as they sucoGssivcly tall he
fore the great destroyer.
JuDdE joins S HOFFMAN Tas born
in this town and county on the 10Th
day of June. 1921; and consequently
was, on the day Of his death, (Sunaay
morning last, November 18th. 1919
in the 57th year of his age. His
father. John Hoffman. brother of the
late Weeden Hoffman, died when be
was M infant, and bis mother, Eleanor
Stringer. 4 daughter Of tho celebrated
Daniel Stringcr, from whom he iuhcri-
ted his love for owning large tracts Of
Iaud. died not long thereafter, leaving
him an orphan with but small patri-
mony 10 mako his way in the world as
best be could. By industry and stud
ious habits he acquired good educa-
ton, and upon his return from college
entered tho law Office of Judge Gideon
y. Camden, of Clurksburg, where be
subsequently madO his homo, and
lived at the tlmo Of bis death ; and
where, too, he took rank MS ono Of tho
ablest land lawyers in the State.
In the spring of 1853 he was elected
by the people Of Harrison county to
tho Legislature Of Virginia. aud active
" participated in the ensuing session
in the passage Of laws for quoting and
settling our land titles, aud was also q
member Of tho noted extra
session of 1861. As q part Of
the history Of that time, it is but
JUS. that | who shared his conf.
lence and occupied place in Tho sam
body, although opposed to the course
10 took, should state that no man ever
agreed 10 sever the Union and 90 with
his State with moro reluctance than be.
He was q Henry Clay Wing and Op-
posed to secession but believed in the
doctrine of revolution ; and whcu Viz
GINA took sides with the South be
went with her. aud fought bravely and
galluntIy for the cause he cspoused.
lie commanded what was known as tho
3lst Virginia regiment, and received
wound at the battle Of tlatcher's Run
twenty miles south of liichmund, from
tho shock Of which upon his nervous
system, lie never afterwards was freed
from pain. After the CLOSE Of The war
10 returned to bis home 10 Clarksburg
and oguiu entered upOuthc study and
practice Of tue law. In Juue, 1872,
he was nominated by th' Democratic
party candidate for one Of the Judges
of tho Supreme Court Of Appeals oil
this State, ind was elected in tho fol.
lowing August. Tic subsequently, took
his seat upon the bench, and the ma
jority opinions delivered by him whilst
one Of the Judges Of that Court, aud
which now constitute standing Law aud
equity decisions Of our young State.
will ever remain monuments to bis
memory.
"ITf jussus, c! tcnar propositt."
Connecting to all men tue full measure
Of what gas their duo. he was p1nctil.
Gus Of what was due to himself. Whilst
he was tolerant Of the opinion Of others,
he was inaexiblc 10 the maintenance Of
bis own. Added to these noble traits,
his generous and kindly disposition. to-.
gether with bis integrity and upright.
ness, both as mau and u Judge, won
for him many admirers; aud but for
his impaired health, which caused him
TO resign his Office. would have been re-
elected to tho Supreme Beach, aud
been to-day ono of its brightest Orna'
meuts. But mysterious dispcnsatiOn
Of Providence has nippcl these hOnors
in the bad, and our friend has gone