Louis Hoffmann - 1860s in Minnesota
On May 28, 1859, the company left Fort Kearny for Minnesota. They traveled via Sioux City, Iowa (June 18th), Spirit Lake (June 28th), Springfield, and arrived at Fort Ridgely July 10, 1859.
The July 27, 1860 census indicates that Lewis Hoffman age 30 resided at Fort Ridgely with Caroline Hoffman age 28 and John Hoffman age 9. John's place of birth is listed as New York. I assume some of this census information is inaccurate including John’s age and birthplace. He had attended school within the year. Four unrelated men resided in the same dwelling. The company made several trips in the area including Beaver Creek, Pejutazee Barracks, Upper Sioux Agency, and Yellow Medicine Agency. It appears that Lewis Hoffman didn't always go on these trips. He was on detached service to the QMD carpenter at Fort Ridgely from June 29, 1860 to their departure. On May 2, 1860 he was reduced to the rank of Private. On May 20, 1860 he was reappointed an Artificer. |
Louis Hoffmann's family returned to Minnesota. Family lore says Louis brought caissons to Fort Snelling, Minnesota and settled in New Ulm following the Civil War. An Affidavit in his Pension file by Jacob Petry states that he knew Louis Hoffmann in Baltimore and Petry moved to New Ulm in 1865. Louis Hoffmann’s family moved to New Ulm in 1866 according to Petry.
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