Lewis Edward Hoff (1855 - 1930)

Born 20 Apr 1855 in Clarksburg, Harrison County, Virginia, United States of America

Ancestors

Husband of Emma Adelaide (Brannon) Hoff — married 5 May 1886 in Wayne County, IA

Died 18 Jul 1930 at age 75 in San Diego, San Diego County, California, United States of America

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Roy Lockhart [send private message]

Biography

Lewis was born in 1855 in Clarksburg, Virginia (present day West Virginia), the first born and son of Silas Hoff and Lydia Robinson. He would have grown up in Clarksburg where his father was a cabinet maker and butcher. After leaving school, he worked for his father as a butcher. By 1882, he had moved west to San Diego, California and was considered one of the city's 'pioneers'. In 1886, he married Emma Adelaide Brannon (also from West Virginia) in either Allerton or Allenton, Iowa. She joined him in San Diego, California, where they raised their two daughters. His wife Emma became very successful as a hotel manager, while Lewis did various jobs and developed a trucking business. At some point after 1910, the couple separated and in about 1915 Lewis started running a date farm/ranch in Calexio, CA near the Mexican border. He was living alone there in 1920, and in 1930, not long before his death, he was a boarding back in San Diego. He passed away later in 1930, and is buried with his wife and children in the Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, CA.

Children:

1. Eva, 1888-1928, m. Charles Howard Richardson, 1913 (she went to Stanford, lived on East Coast), 3 children
2. Edith Brannon, 1894-1981, m. Milton Fred Heller, 1915, 3 children

Lewis's surname is sometimes written as Huff or Haugh.

There is a marriage record for a Lewis B. Hoff and a Mary A. Walton in 1922 in the same area where Lewis was living, but there is no other link and no mention in his death announcement to confirm that he married a second time. He did, however, report himself a widower in the 1930 census.

Death Announcement

San Diego Union (San Diego, CA), 20 Jul 1930, no page number; accessed at Sommervi2 Ancestry family tree, 28 May 2016.

HERE 48 YEARS. Lewis Edward Hoff, San Diego pioneer, who died Friday after having resided here for 48 years. Died July 18, 1930.

LEWIS E. HOFF, PIONEER, PASSES. Lewis Edward Hoff, father of Mrs. Milton Heller, died Friday at the age of 75 years. He first came to San Diego in 1882 and included among his friends all the older residents of the city. For years he was engaged in the trucking and storage business, retiring about 15 years ago to take up rancing at Calexico. Beside his daughter, Hoff is survived by three sisters and a brother living at Clarksburg, W. Va., where he was born in 1855.

Sources

• "The Goff Family" Roy L. Lockhart 1974, familysearch.org, Find A Grave.

Sommervi2 Ancestry family tree, accessed 28 May 2016. Includes a photo of Lewis and a transcript from Oral History given by Milton Heller, Jr., phone call 6 Apr 2008:

My grandfather (Lewis Hoff) had a date farm in Calexico. He also had a transfer company at some point. I visited him there a few times. He and my grandmother were separated, not sure when. Grandmother (Emma Adelaide Brannon Hoff) ran the Hotel Keystone in San Diego. At sometime she also ran a hotel in Kansas City, MO.

Birth

"West Virginia Births, 1853-1930," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F1LS-DL4 : accessed 27 May 2016), Silas Huff in entry for Lewis E. Huff, 20 Apr 1855; citing Clarksburg, Harrison, West Virginia, United States, county courthouses, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 1,617,902. Name: Lewis E. Huff; Event Type: Birth; Event Date: 20 Apr 1855; Event Place: Clarksburg, Harrison, West Virginia, United States; Gender: Male; Race: White; Born: Alive; Father's Name: Silas Huff; Father occupation: Carpenter; Father residence: Clarksburg; Mother's Name: Lydia S.; Number of children born at this birth: 1; Deformities: [blank]; Informant: Silas Huff, father; Scan of birth register

• Similar record, same info, index: "West Virginia Births and Christenings, 1853-1928," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5PY-FTB : accessed 27 May 2016), Silas Huff in entry for Lewis E. Huff, 20 Apr 1855; citing Harrison, West Virginia, reference p 23; FHL microfilm 163,839.
• Similar record, same info, index:"West Virginia Births and Christenings, 1853-1928," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5T5-F72 : accessed 27 May 2016), Silas Huff in entry for Lewis E. Huff, 20 Apr 1855; citing Clarksburg, Harrison, West Virginia, reference ; FHL microfilm 1,617,902.

Marriage

"Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XJYM-8FL : accessed 27 May 2016), Silas Hoff in entry for S. E. Hoff and Emma A. Braunon, 05 May 1886; citing Allenton, Wayne, Ia, reference 2:3R4X1RV; FHL microfilm 1,009,070. Name: S. E. Hoff; Birthplace: Clarksburge; Spouse's Name: Emma A. Braunon; Spouse's Birth Date: 1861; Spouse's Birthplace: Glenville, West Va; Spouse's Age: 25; Event Date: 05 May 1886; Event Place: Allenton, Wayne, Ia; Father's Name: Silas Hoff; Mother's Name: Lydia Robinson; Spouse's Father's Name: Thos H. Braunon; Spouse's Mother's Name: S. J. Brown; Race: White; Marital Status: Single; Spouse's Race: White; Spouse's Marital Status: Single

• Similar record, additional birth info, slightly different event place; index: "Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XJHQ-W5V : accessed 27 May 2016), Silas Hoff in entry for S. E. Hoff and Emma A. Braunon, 1886. Name: S. E. Hoff; Event Type: Marriage; Event Place Allerton, Wayne, Iowa, United States; Gender: Male; Age: 32; Birth Year (Estimated): 1854

Possible second marriage?

"California, County Marriages, 1850-1952," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V4MX-26K : accessed 28 May 2016), Lewis E Hoff and Mary A Walton, 29 Mar 1922; citing Imperial, California, United States, county courthouses, California; FHL microfilm 1,433,101.: Name: Lewis E Hoff; Event Type: Marriage; Event Date: 29 Mar 1922; Event Place: Imperial, California, United States; Gender: Male; Age: 65; Birth Year (Estimated): 1857; Spouse's Name: Mary A Walton; Spouse's Age: 56; Spouse's Gender: Female; Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1866

• Similar record: "California, County Marriages, 1850-1952," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V4MX-1MK : accessed 28 May 2016), Lewis E Hoff and Mary A Walton, 29 Mar 1922; citing Imperial, California, United States, county courthouses, California; FHL microfilm 1,433,101.

Residence in Virginia (West Virginia)

"United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M41H-PBY : accessed 25 May 2016), Silas Hough, 1860. Post office: Clarksburg; Name: Silas Hough; Event Type: Census; Event Date: (no date specified) 1860; Event Place: Harrison, Virginia, United States; Gender: Male; Age: 29; Race: White; Race (Original): [Blank]; Birth Year (Estimated): 1831; Birthplace: Virginia; Page: 156; HOUSEHOLD (ROLE GENDER AGE BIRTHPLACE): Silas Hough, M, 29, Virginia; cabinet maker; real estate value: 1300; personal estate: 200; Lydia S Hough, F, 27, Virginia; Lewis E Hough, M, 5, Virginia; Mary Hough, F, 3, Virginia; Geneva Hough, F, 2, Virginia; Sarah C Hough, F, 0 [8/12], Virginia

"United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZ4V-TJL : accessed 25 May 2016), Silas Hoff, West Virginia, United States; citing p. 1, family 6, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 553,187. Location: Clark Township, Harrison County, WV; Post Office: Clarksburg. Census date: 25 Jul 1870. Name: Silas Hoff; Event Type: Census; Event Year: 1870; Event Place: West Virginia, United States; Gender: Male; Age; 3; Race: White; Race (Original): W; Birth Year (Estimated): 1831-1832; Birthplace: Virginia; Page Number: 1; HOUSEHOLD (ROLE GENDER AGE BIRTHPLACE): Silas Hoff, M, 38, Butcher, Real estate value: 4000; personal estate: 1500; Virginia; adult male citizen; Lydia S Hoff, F, 37, keeping house; Virginia; Lewis E Hoff, M, 15, at home; Virginia; attended school; Mary A Hoff, F, 13, at home; Virginia; attended school; Geneva L Hoff, F, 12, at home; Virginia; attended school; Sarah C Hoff, F, 10, at home; Virginia; attended school; Ellen B Hoff, F, 9, Virginia; attended school; John S Hoff, M, 6, West Virginia; Nora C Hoff, F, 4, West Virginia; Boyd W Hoff, M, 0 [8/12], West Virginia

There appears to have been some confusion with recording the Hoff household: it was first recorded in ED112 on June 2nd 1880, but then crossed out; it was subsequently entered in the ED113 form on June 12th, but the following page with children younger than Nora is missing

"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6RP-7FB : accessed 25 May 2016), Silas Hoff, Clark, Harrison, West Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district ED 113, sheet 265D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1404; FHL microfilm 1,255,404. Page no. 27, Supervisor's Dist. No. 1; Enumeration Dist No. 113. Census location: Clarksburg, Clark District, Harrison Co., WV; Census Date: 12 Jun 1880. Name: Silas Hoff; Gender: Male; Age: 48; Marital Status: Married; Race: White; Race (Original): W; Occupation: Butcher-Grocer; Relationship to Head of Household: Self; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Self; Birth Year (Estimated): 1832; Birthplace: Virginia, United States; Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania, United States; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia, United States; Sheet Letter: D; Sheet Number: 265; Person Number: 0; Volume: 1; HOUSEHOLD (ROLE GENDER AGE BIRTHPLACE): Silas Hoff, Self, M, 48, married, Butcher + grocer; Virginia, United States; Lydia S Hoff, Wife, F, 47, married, housekeeping, Virginia, United States; Lewis E Hoff, [blank], M, 25, single, butcher, Virginia, United States; Parent's birthplace: f: PA; m: VA; Mary A Hoff, [blank], F, 23, at home, single, Virginia, United States; Sarah C Hoff, [blank], F, 20, single, at home, Virginia, United States; Ellen B Hoff, [blank], F, 19, single, at home, Virginia, United States; John Hoff, [blank], M, 15, at home, West Virginia, United States; attended school; Nora P Hoff, [blank], F, 13, at home, West Virginia, United States; attended school; Boyd W Hoff, [blank], M, 10, at home, West Virginia, United States; Rosa W Hoff, [blank], F, 8, West Virginia, United States; Annie M Hoff, [blank], F, 5, West Virginia, United States; Marie S Hoff, [blank], F, 1, West Virginia, United States; Parents' birthplace: VA for all except Silas; NOTE: the scanned original is the last page in the set for this enumeration district, and it end with Nora, so the younger children should be on the following page, which is not there! Note at bottom of page: "Part of Clarksburg in my Enumeration District 113 -- end have ...." (rest cut off by scan)

"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6RP-S6S : accessed 25 May 2016), Silas Hoff, Clarksburg, Harrison, West Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district ED 112, sheet 230A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1404; FHL microfilm 1,255,404. Census location: Page No. 3; Supervisor's Dist. No. 1; Enumeration District No. 112; Clarksburg, Harrison Co., WV; Census data: 2 Jun 1880. Name: Silas Hoff; Gender: Male; Age: 48; Marital Status: Married; Race: White; Race (Original): W; Occupation: Butcher; Relationship to Head of Household: Self; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Self; Birth Year (Estimated): 1832; Birthplace: Virginia, United States; Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania, United States; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia, United States; Sheet Letter: A; Sheet Number: 230; Person Number: 0; Volume: 1; HOUSEHOLD (ROLE GENDER AGE BIRTHPLACE): Silas Hoff, Self, M, 48, married, Butcher, Virginia, United States; Parents' birthplace: f:PA; m:VA; Lydia S Hoff, Wife, F, 44, housekeeper, married, Virginia, United States; Lewis E Hoff, Son, M, 25, single, butcher; Virginia, United States; Mary A Hoff, Daughter, F, 23, single, Virginia, United States; Sarah C Hoff, Daughter, F, 20, single, Virginia, United States; Ellen B Hoff, Daughter, F, 19, single, Virginia, United States; John S Hoff, Son, M, 15, at school, West Virginia, United States; Nora Hoff, Daughter, F, 13, at school, West Virginia, United States; Boyd W Hoff, Son, M, 10, at school, West Virginia, United States; Rose B Hoff, Daughter, F, 8, at school, West Virginia, United States; Anna M Hoff, Daughter, F, 5, West Virginia, United States; Maria L Hoff, Daughter, F, 4, West Virginia, United States; Address: Mechanic or Main Street; Parents' birthplace: Virginia for all except Silas; No one in the household can read or write. NOTE: The entry for the Hoff household is crossed out, with the note: "Erased before comparison"

Residence in California

"California Great Registers, 1866-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VT6F-KR5 : accessed 28 May 2016), Lewis E Hoff, 1890; citing Voter Registration, 5th Ward, San Diego, California, United States, county clerk offices, California; FHL microfilm 977,094. Name: Lewis E Hoff; Event Type: Voter Registration; Event Date: 1890; Event Place: 5th Ward, San Diego, California, United States; Age: 32; Birth Year (Estimated): 1858; Birthplace: West Virginia; Page: 83

"California Great Registers, 1866-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNND-H4W : accessed 28 May 2016), Lewis E Hoff, 24 Aug 1894; citing Voter Registration, 6 Ward 1 Prct, San Diego, California, United States, county clerk offices, California; FHL microfilm 977,095. Name: Lewis E Hoff; Event Type: Voter Registration; Event Date: 24 Aug 1894; Event Place: 6 Ward 1 Prct, San Diego, California, United States; Age: 39; Birth Year (Estimated): 1855; Birthplace: Virginia; Page: 53

"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M957-6RG : accessed 28 May 2016), L E Hoff, San Diego city Ward 7, San Diego, California, United States; citing sheet 6B, family 147, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,240,099. Census date: 5 Jun 1900. Name: L E Hoff; Gender: Male; Age: 45; Marital Status: Married; Race: White; Race (Original): W; Relationship to Head of Household: Head; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head; Years Married: 14; Birth Date: Apr 1855; Birthplace: West Virginia; Marriage Year (Estimated): 1886; Father's Birthplace: West Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia; HOUSEHOLD (ROLE GENDER AGE BIRTHPLACE): L E Hoff, Head, M, Ap 1855, 45, married; yrs married: 14; West Virginia; Laundray man [sic], Months out of work:0; Emma Hoff, Wife, F, Ap 1862, 38, married, yrs married: 14; children born:2; living:2; West Virginia; occupation: [blank]; Eva Hoff, Daughter, F, Nov 1888, 12, California; at school; 10 months; Edith Hoff, Daughter, F, July 1894, 6, California; at school; Rose Damon, Roomer, F, Jan 1872, 28, married, children born:0; living:0; West Virginia; occupation: [blank]; Address: 2334 F?; parents' birthplace: WV for all; Owned house; All can read, write, speak English.

"United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVLY-N2Z : accessed 28 May 2016), Louis E Hoff, San Diego Ward 7, San Diego, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 159, sheet 8B, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,374,108. Census date: 22-23 Apr 1910. Name: Louis E Hoff; Gender: Male; Age: 54; Marital Status: Married; Race: White; Race (Original): White; Relationship to Head of Household: Head; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head; Birth Year (Estimated): 1856; Birthplace: West Virginia; Father's Birthplace: West Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia; Sheet Letter: B; Sheet Number: 8. HOUSEHOLD (ROLE GENDER AGE BIRTHPLACE): Louis E Hoff, Head, M, 54, married, yrs married: 23; West Virginia; Transfer, business, own account; Emma A Hoff, Wife, F, 48, married, yrs married: 23; children born:2; living:2; West Virginia; manager, Hotel Keystone, own account; Eva Hoff, Daughter, F, 21, single, California; attended school; Edith Hoff, Daughter, F, 15, California; attended school; Address: 940 10th Street. Rented house; Parents' birthplace: WV for all; All can read, write, speak English.

"United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH3B-TFQ : accessed 28 May 2016), Lewis E Hoff, Calexico, Imperial, California, United States; citing sheet 9A, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,820,099. Census date: 17 May 1920. Name: Lewis E Hoff; Gender: Male; Age: 65; Marital Status: Single; Race: White; Race (Original): White; Can Read: Yes; Can Write: Yes; Relationship to Head of Household: Head; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head; Own or Rent: Own; Owned farm; Birth Year (Estimated): 1855; Birthplace: Virginia; Father's Birthplace: Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia; Farmer, general; employer; Farm schedule: 116; Sheet Letter: A; Sheet Number: 9.

"United States Census, 1930", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XC6X-3T1 : accessed 28 May 2016), Lewis B Hoff in entry for Raymond A Richard, 1930. Census date: 7 Apr 1930. Name: Lewis B Hoff; Event Type: Census; Event Date: 1930; Event Place: San Diego, San Diego, California, United States; Gender: Male; Age: 74; Marital Status: Widowed; Race: White; Race (Original): White; Relationship to Head of Household: Boarder; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Boarder; Birth Year (Estimated): 1856; Birthplace: Virginia; Father's Birthplace: Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia; Sheet Letter: A; Sheet Number: 5; HOUSEHOLD (ROLE GENDER AGE BIRTHPLACE): Raymond A Richard, Head, M, 53, marriage age: 23; married, Illinois; parents' birthplace: IL; painter, house painter, wages; Worked previous day?: no; veteran?: no; Kathryn B Richard, Wife, F, 50, married, marriage age: 20; Illinois; parents' birthplace: Ohio; nurse, private nurse, wages; worked previous day?: yes; Lewis B Hoff Boarder, M, 74, widowed, Virginia; parents' birthplace: Virginia; Occupation: none; veteran?: no; Address: 4217 38th street; Owned house, $4200; radio?: [blank], not a farm;

Death

"California Death Index, 1905-1939," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKS9-3NKP : accessed 28 May 2016), Lewis E Hoff, 1930; citing 38924, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento. Name: Lewis E Hoff; Event Type: Death; Event Date: 18 Jul 1930; Event Place: , , California, United States; Gender: Male; Age: 75; Birth Year (Estimated): 1855; Certificate Number: 38924

FindaGrave.com Memorial #89349313, accessed 28 May 2016. Name: Louis Edward Hoff; Birth: Aug. 13, 1855, West Virginia, USA; Death: Jul. 18, 1930, California, USA; Family links: Spouse: Emma Adelaide Brannon Hoff (1862 - 1940); Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA; Plot: Magnolia Place; Photo?: Yes; Footstone Inscription: "Lewis Edward Hoff; April 20, 1855; July 18 1930"