New-York tribune., 1888-03-25
shortly afsrwsrd he made hi~ htc ihs hou'e Nnri'
he lies- N , preearinus crDi a.Sn.
ORTIZ 4 y Y.
JOHN II. HOFFMAN.


John T. Hoffman, who was twice Governor Of New
York State died at Wiesbadsn. Germany, YESTERDAY
from heart disease Tho news reached this e"S
through cable dispatch sent to J0hncs, Wilcox u
Purdy, No a. Broadway, law firm with which Mr.
Hoffman was associated counsel. 1t was signed
by his married daughter, Mrs Charles sandford ana
merely stated that her father had died from heart DIS
ease and that particulars would be sent lator.
Mr.. Holman, accompanied by his wife, sailed Tor
Europe the EtIuria February IL, intending to
Join In Germany Mr. and Mrs. Sandford, who have
for many years lived abroad. He was apparently IN
perfect health when he sailed but prior to his depart
no made his will and seemed possessed Of strange
forcboding that some danger was impending u
have never In my lfe,D he said to Mr. Johncs, gone
OIL any trip with such q prcsentment of evil. am
WE'LL but sti / feol that something Is going to hap
pcn'
The estate which Mr. Hoffman leaves Is estimated
tu bs worth about s40o 900, which presumably Will
be inherited by his wife and his daughter Mrs. Sand
ford who his only child
Mr.. Hoffman was born at Sing Sing, n. Y, January
10, 1923. He graduated from Union College,
where he distinguished himself highly In 1886, and
admitted to the bar In 1640, whom he became OF
age. He had passed the necessary examination some
time before that, but had to wait for his papers unh
he had reached his majority. He came to New-fo orR
to practise law and soon after his arrival became
member Of tho firm Of Woodruff, Leonard HOFFMAN
He ambitious, and his tastes led him to seek al
vsncomcnt through politics. In 1854 he Joined Tam
many Hall, which then fast growing In influence.
Possessed Of strong will, good address and many OF
the necessary qualifications for leadership, Mr. Hof-
soon made his influence felt I'm the councils OF
Tammany Hall and that organization " took him up"
That made his advancement rapid but It was that
which finally cut short his political career when IL
promised most.
He received the Tammany Hall nomination for Re-
corder In lae0 and elected by a large majority
afa1I Iafrn
for him high praise from lawyers of promi-
ncnce As Recorder he had also to deal with the draft
riots, and while his course In that matter made hlm
unpopular for time among tho dlsorderiy elements
of thc city, him the approval of the abiding
people, IIe was twice elected Recorder and then re-
slgnad from that office to 60 up higher. He accepted
the Democratic nomination for Mayor and was eectcd
His popularity increased He ran for Governor and
was defeated but his defeat only tho harbnger OF
success. Again he received the Democratic nom aomna- IA,
January 1, 1869. He again In the fail OF 1870,
and was a second time triumphant.
widely regarded coming leader of the Democracy
A nomination for the Presidency seemed not at all
po5uros. and Tammany Hall was for the time being
crushed. These exposures did not IN any way afect
putatfon Of dishonesty ever rested upon him. But,
nevertheless the exposures proved fatal to his hI poa 6a
when Tsmmany Hall felI he fell also. lie felt the
onm sssny s went a 10 hags as
the Democratic nomination for Congress from hlbany
and would certainly have been eeced, and might have
made Congress the stepplngstone to the Presidency;
However that may be, he let the chance go by, anu
was never afterward politically resusOatod for he
was averso to beginning again lower down on the
political ladder than whore he left OF; He continued
10 practise law. but did not devote himself tn with
much vigor The last case I'm which he hsnred was
the Lemon will representing the contestants
lie lived quietly at the Clarendon Hotel, visiting
Eurofe nearly every year He enjoyed the esteem
and respect of a wids circle OF friends, hnt
gneraily regarded az a. disappointed
striking example of man of much ability who had
been dropped ont of politics, and passed In the race
by men who not nearly we'll qualified Us he to
succeed
In 1855 he married Miss Starltweofher OF New
York. and they had daughfer now Mrs. Sanford,
who has been already mentioned. About three years
ago. Mr. HOFFMAN lost a ntte grandson to whom no
was greatly attached and his friends say that he was
never the same aferward. He was a man ~
fire pros cnce, tall. broad-shondered and Greet III
carriage He read much. aonrnrsed we'll. had good
fund &C huinar his command and was possessed Oh
an rouabie temper. He was a member OF thc Man
haitian lrb and there was recently some talk o mas
Ing hin, preslsnt Of the clib HIS BODY VIII proOaoy
be hrongbt TO this country for burial