Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-02-28
] heir Golden Jubilee.

A dispatch from Jefferson to The
Milwaukee Sentinel dated February
%, renders long account of the gold
en- wedding celebration of Mr.. and
Mrs. Francis A. Hoffman,, of Riverside
farm, town of Jefferson. The follow
ing extracts are taken:
Surrounded by some two-score of
children, grandchildren and intimate
friends, Francis A. Hoffman, and his
faithful helpmeet stood in the parlor
of their beautiful home, Riverside
farm, this afternoon and heard the
clergyman repeat the words which fifty
years before had joined their hearts
and labors, The couple whose golden
wedding was celebrated to-day are
known from Maine to California, and
from border TO gulf among German ag-
ricuIturists and humble tillers of the
soil as Hans and Crete" Mr.. Hoff-
mann being the agricultural editor of
The I1Ilwaukee Germania and his wife
the editor of the Chidren's DEPART
ment of the same widely circulated
publication. Mr.. and Mrs. Hoffman,
conduct their editorial labors in the
study of their lovely farm home which
is situated about mile from Jefferson
Junction. 1t was here that their rela-
tives and friends joined them to-day
III their celebration of the fiftieth ami
versary of their marriage. The mails
and wires carried them also cOngratu-
lations of more than 20O friends in all
sections of the country.
In the parlor Of the Riverside farm
house at l o'clock p. NJ. the company
assembled. The parlor was lavishly
decorated with floral offerings from all
quarters, forming perfect arbor of
roses, violets, lilies and garlands. To
make the occasion happier if possible
the congratuIatOry conversation was
punctuated with the Growing of new
" arrived baby-boy, Just presented to
| Gilbert Hoffman, by his wife and add
ing a grandson to the family of the
veteran editor. Att o'clock the happy
couple clasped hands and the Rev
Henry Vogel. Of Jefferson, repeated
| the wedding ceremony. AT it's cOnclu-
sion Postmaster Gustav Kuestermann,
| of Green Bay, read an original poem,
In German, of his own composition
| George Brumder, publisher Of The
| Germania, made a speech ofcongratula-
| ton on behalf of his employees.
August Kroeger, of The Germania also
read an original poem, and Christ
Koerner of the editorial staff, present
| ed the couple with a handsome French
| roccoco clock and two golden Candida
bras. At 5 O'Clock the company was
seated at dinner. This evening sere-
made was given bv the Arion Singing
society and the Jefferson choir.
Francis A. Hoffman, was born at
! Herford, Westphalia, Prussia. At the
age of eighteen he emigrated to the
United-States, arriving in New York
in 1910. In Chicago he began his
career as a bootblack in hotel, but
| soon changed this position for that of
school teacher in a small German
school at Dunkley's Grove, H., his
salary being $50 year with board
around among the families. He was
ordained Lutheran minister and held
pastorates in Illinois and Indiana. Tn
| 1914 he married an American girl, Miss
! Cynthia Gilbert. Becoming prominent
in public affairs he was appointed Ger
man consul in Chicago and in 1860 was
elected lieutenant governor ofIllinois
Mr.. and Mrs. Hoffman, have lived in
jefferson county since 1875. Mr.. Hoff-
mann has always been staunch Re-
publican. Carl Scburz in his early
days took much of his political inspira-
ton from Mr.. Hoffman,, who became
much incensed when Mr.. Schurz
changed his political belief.
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