Evening journal., 1896-07-14

increased the facilities for canning. In
1888 he added extensive evsporators and
= City horse power engine to his factory.
Be still continues TO manage his farm OF
225 acres which Is mostly planted In
fruit trees. During many years OF his
life he has done great deal OF survey
ing In his neighborhood.
Mr. Hoffecker was one OF the orIRina
tors of the Fruit Growers National Bank
OF Smyrna and has been a member OF the
board of directors since It's organization
In 1876 He Is a director of the Kent
County Mutual Insurance Company.
Presldent OF the Smyrna Building aud
Loan Association since 1875, member of
the Board OF Town Commissioners since
1878 and president several years, a school
director since 1882 and chairman Of the
building committee that erected the
handsome school building In 1888 He
has been a member OF the board of
directors Of the Phuade paIa & Smyrna
Transportation Line since It's orig In aud
Was greatly rumentsl In securing the
erection OF the water works for the 10 Nn
Of Smyrna
Mr.. Hoffecker In politics WAS q Whig
until 1S49 TO the formation OF the Re
publican party and In 1855 WAS one Of
the 800 persons who voted for John o.
Fremont, the first candidate Of the Re
publican party for President. In 1876
he WAS delegate to the National Repub
licAn Convention at Cincinnati, when
Rutherford B Hayes was nominated for
the presidency and In 1884 was a delegsts
to the convention at Chicago which nom
mated James q. Blaine for the same
Office.
The important position he has held has
given him prominence and influence, not
only In the town OF Smyrna and his
native county Of Kent, bat In the entire
state of Delaware
On May 10. 1858, John a. Hoffecker
WAS married to Miss Annie e Appleton,
daughter OF John Appleton, OF Odesss,
Del By this marriage were born four
children, Walter @, married to Miss
Beulah Hance, of Philadelphi is engaged
In business with his father; John A
married to Miss Annie Waters, OF
Smyrna. Is chief clerk in the superin
tendsnt's office OF the Delaware division
of the Pennsylvania railroad at Clayton
James Edwin, married TO Miss Annie
Scott, Is employed as clerk Ia the same
Office and Annie. the youngest OF the
family. lives at home
Mr.. HofIecker'a frat wife died June 2 }
1881 Her father Is living at the sge o
"a years
In March, 1888 Mr.. Hofecker wa
married 10 Mrs Charlotte J.. Hoffecker
daughter Of Matthias German, Of Ken
county Mrs. Hoffrcker was teacher Il
Chira from 1875 to 1873, living Ia th
family OF her sister, WHO was the wife O
Rev. s. l. Baldwin, ID. D.. for twent
years a missionary Of the Methods
Church in China.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoffscker are member
OF Astury M e Church OF Smyrna. II
has been n prominent supporter OF thi
church and q member OF its board O
trustees and stewards since 1860.
Six years ago Mr. Hoifecker was cleo
! ted membsr OF the General Assembl,
I and WAS made Speaker Of the House.
sketch OF wmis.
D The State OF Delaware, has bat OF
- member In the lower House OF Congress
A That person is Jonathan 8. Willis.
Milford, preacher and politician. He Is
man of strong force Of character. ar
like all good Methodists, speaks out
meeting. Mr.. Willis Is not new to u
people OF this or his own section. for
was his party's nominee for seat In Il
6fty third Congress IN 1892 and WI
defeated by a very small majority.
well did he run In that year that In 1ei
3 he was the unanimous choice OF II
Republicans Of Delaware as their cand
, date for Congress IL will be long II
+, membered as one Of the most hotly ooi
tested political battles that was ev,
: waged by any party in that state.
k was the saying Of the managers Of q
Republican campaign committee thl
year that II he won at ALL It would be O
= his personal popularity. They wei
right in their predictions for Mr.. WIN
Q won.
r For years Mr.. Willis has follow,
4 literary pureults. having written severi
books. among which Is the widely res
book called "John Martin OF the Story
. the Iron Musk" He has also contribute
D many articles to the leading magAzln
s of the country Before the war he hl
d Scted with the Democratic party, al
q then left that party for the preservati
OF the old slave system rs Is the onl
% one Of a large family who has ldentlf
II himself with the Republican party.
10 owned slaves before the war, but so
" freed them, Rs he did not believe
slavery.