Louis Hoffmann
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The oldest Hoffmann record is for the marriage of Adam Albrecht Christian Hoffmann to Katharina Luise Klee on July 17, 1827 in Baden. His parents are listed as Friedrich Ludwig Hoffmann and Friederike Elisabetha Raupp. Her parents are Georg Friedrich Klee and Anna Regina Staubitz. Their first child was Albrecht Friedrich Ludwig Hoffmann who was born May 25, 1829 at 10 PM. His father's occupation is given as school teacher at Büchig, Baden. His mother's name on his birth record is listed as Luise Klee. He was christened on May 31, 1829. The pastor is listed as T. Assum. Büchig belonged to the parish Blankenloch. The Birth and Baptismal Certificate copy is dated August 12, 1843. I had the German text translated into English. I assume that Louis Hoffmann adopted an English form of his middle name “Ludwig” for his first name when he came to the United States.
His mother died when he was three. His father remarried and the family moved to Grünwettersbach which is closer to Karlsruhe in about 1836. He and his second wife had nine children. I believe Louis arrived in New York, New York from the port of Bremen June 14, 1849 on a ship named Amy. He would have been twenty years old at that time. One possible explanation for his immigrating alone is Baden's conscription for military service. "... before 1871, boys were registered at the age of 16 for possible military service. Potential recruits were drawn by lot. They had to report in December or January before their 21st birthday, for a medical. (In other words when they were 20 years old.) " http://bklyn-genealogy-info.stevemorse.org/ImmNat/1854.Wanted.html |
Ironically, the next record that is definitely for Louis Hoffman is his enlistment into the U. S. Army on September 23, 1853 at Fort Hamilton, New York. He joined Company F 4th Artillery from regiment depot October 6th 1853 for five years. He was five foot six and three quarters inches tall, with fair complexion, light hair, and blue eyes. His occupation is listed as cabinetmaker. According to his unit's muster rolls, he continued serving at Fort Hamilton. It is near Dyper Beach Park in Brooklyn, New York. It was completed in 1831 and had 155 acres of enclosed grounds. On June 6, 1854, he was appointed Artificer from Private. An artificer was a military craftsman who repaired military equipment and ordinance. According to family lore, Louis kept the wagons rolling in his artillery unit. He reenlisted for a second five years on July 23, 1858. He was discharged out of the army on July 23, 1863 at Snickersville, Virginia as his company left Gettysburg.
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