Virgil Ray Hoff (1887 - 1963)

Born 25 Aug 1887 in Berea, Ritchie County, West Virginia, United States of America

Ancestors

Died 20 Jan 1963 at age 75 in Clinton, Dewitt County, Illinois, United States of America

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Biography

Virgil was born in 1887 in Berea, WV to Eri Benson Hoff and Malinda Ann Hart. He grew up in the area, where his father was a farmer and a Methodist Episcopal Church. Virgil reported doing only three years of schooling. When he was 19 years old in 1906, he married Alta O. Sommerville, at her residence in Auburn, WV. They had one child in West Virginia before moving to Steubenville, OH, where he worked as a breakman on 'steam cars' and they had one more child. Their marriage ended at some point in the 1910's as he remarried in 1918 in Dewitt County, IL to Bettie Jane (Coakley) Vance and they raised his son and her two children together. His daughter was brought up by another family in Auburn WV. Virgil and Bettie settled in Clinton, IL and ran a restaurant there. His first wife appears to have passed away in Clinton in 1925. Virgil passed away in 1963 at the age of 75. He is buried with his second wife Bettie in the Mausoleum Park Cemetery in Clinton.

Children:

• Arriahwana Pearl Hoff, 1908-1984: Pearl H. Tharp; m. Alvin Fields Tharp; had a half brother; was brought up by C.W. and Oca Phillips in Auburn, WV., and lived her life there.
• Virgil Ray Jr. 1909-1990

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Death announcement

The Decatur Daily Review (Decatur, IL), 22 Jan 1963, p. 34; accessed at www.newspapers.com 22 Jul 2015.

"HOFF, Virgil Ray, 75, Clinton, found dead at the city waterworks plan at 5:20 a.m. Sunday; services 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Herington Funeral Home, Clinton; burial will be in Mausoleum park cemetery; call after 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home."

The Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL), 21 Jan 1963, p. 17, accessed at www.newspapers.com 22 Jul 2015.

"Virgil Ray Hoff. Clinton --(PNS)-- Virgil Ray Hoff, 75, night attendant at the city water works plant, was found dead outside the building at 5:20 a.m. Sunday. He had been sweeping snow. A record of when the meters were read inside the building indicated that he had read the meters at 5:05 a.m. He was found by Lester Cunningham, another employe [sic]. He was taken to the Herington Funeral Home. Arrangements are incomplete. Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Pearl Thorp, Auburn, W.Va.; a son, Virgil Jr., Westminster, Calif.; a stepson, Ellis Vance, Clinton; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Louise Kring, Roseburg, Ore.; three sisters, Mrs. Ben Miller, Shock, W.Va.; Mrs. Espie Wade, Harpster, Ohio; Mrs. Frank Ziegler, Fort Worth, Tex.; five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren."

Note: 22 Jan 1963 was a Tuesday, so date of death was 20 Jan 1963.

Sources

The Doddridge County Roots websites has a carefully researched and detailed genealogy for many families from the Doddridge-Ritchie, Harrison County areas, including the Hoff family. Doddridge County Roots. Name: Virgil R Hoff; Birth: 25 Aug 1887, (W)VA; Death: Jan 1963; Occupation in 1930: restaurant manager; Spouse: Betty J., b. ca 1886.

Residence in West Virginia

"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9Z2-QZN : accessed 22 July 2015), Virgil R Hoff in household of Eri B Hoff, Newark district, Wirt, West Virginia, United States; citing sheet 5A, family 89, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,241,776. Census date: 11 June 1900. Name: Virgil R Hoff; Gender: Male; Age: 13; Marital Status: Single; Race: White; Race (Original): W; Relationship to Head of Household: Son; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Son; Birth Date: Aug 1887; Birthplace: West Virginia; Father's Birthplace: West Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia; Household (Role Gender Age Birthplace): Eri B Hoff, Head, M, May 1850, 50, married, yrs married: 28; West Virginia; Farmer, months unemployed: 0; Malinda A Hoff, Wife, F, April 1852, 48, married, yrs married: 28; children born:10;living:8; West Virginia; Elosia M Hoff, Daughter, July 1878, 22, single, West Virginia; Minnie M Hoff, Daughter, F, Nov 1880, 20, single, West Virginia; at school; Neff C Hoff, Son, M, April 1883, 17, single, West Virginia; at school; Virgil R Hoff, Son, M, Aug 1887, 13, West Virginia; at school; Vere M Hoff, Daughter, F, Feb 1890, 10, West Virginia; at school; Alice A Hoff, Daughter. F, June 1894, 6, West Virginia. All parents' birthplaces: WV; Owned farm, with mortgage. Farm schedule: 69. Everyone can read/write/speak English.

"United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLNR-HL8 : accessed 22 July 2015), Virgil R Hoff, Steubenville, Jefferson, Ohio, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 120, sheet 1B, family 14, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,375,215. Census date: 15 Apr 1910. Name: Virgil R Hoff; Gender: Male; Age: 23; Marital Status: Married; Race: White; Race (Original): White; Relationship to Head of Household: Head; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head; Birth Year (Estimated): 1887; Birthplace: Virginia; Father's Birthplace: Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia; Household (Role Gender Age Birthplace): Virgil R Hoff, Head, M, 23, married, 1st marriage; yrs married: 4; Virginia; breakman, steam cars; wages; not out of work; weeks out of work:0; veteran?: [blank]; Alta O Hoff, Wife, F, 20, married, 1st marriage; yrs married: 4; children born:2; living 2; Virginia; Elnora P Hoff, Daughter, F, 1 (1 1/12), Virginia; Virgil R Hoff, Son, M, 0 (3/12), Ohio. Address: Comercial Street. All parents' birthplaces: Virginia. Rented house; both adults can read, write, speak English.

"United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6XR-H1X : accessed 22 July 2015), Virgie Ray Hoff, 1917-1918; citing Akron City no 1, Ohio, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,819,505. Name: Virgie Ray Hoff; Event Type: Draft Registration; Event Date: 1917-1918; Event Place: Akron City no 1, Ohio, United States; Gender: Male; Nationality: United States; Birth Date: 25 Aug 1887; Birthplace: Auburn, West Virginia, United States. Age: 29; Address: 11 Mosser, Akron, Ohio; natural born citizen; occupation: Tire finisher; Suinehart Rubber Co, Akron; Supporting wife & 3 children; married; caucasian; no military service; claims exemption because of wife, children; signed as Virgil Ray Hoff; Med hgt; med build; grey eyes, brown hair; Date: 5 Jun, 1917.

"United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJSH-3BV : accessed 22 July 2015), Virgil R Hoff, Clinton Ward 4, Dewitt, Illinois, United States; citing sheet 11B, family 298, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,820,302. Census date: 23 Jan 1920. Name: Virgil R Hoff; Gender: Male; Age: 32; Marital Status: Married; 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: Rent; Birth Year (Estimated): 1888; Birthplace: West Virginia; Father's Birthplace: West Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia; Household (Role Gender Age Birthplace): Virgil R Hoff, Head, M, 32, married, West Virginia; parents' birthplace: WV; proprietor, restaurant; employer; Bettie Hoff, Wife, F, 33, married, Kentucky; parents' birthplace: Kentucky; waitress, restaurant; wages; Virgil R Hoff Jr., Son, M, 10, Ohio; attended school; parents' birthplace: WV; Ellie W Vance, Stepson, M, 13, Illinois; attended school; parents' birthplace: Kentucky; Louise Vance, Stepdaughter, F, 10, Illinois; attended school; parents' birthplace: Kentucky. Address: 108 S. Monroe St.; rented.

United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XST1-QP1 : accessed 22 July 2015), Virgil Hoff, Clintonia, Dewitt, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0005, sheet 2A, family 55, line 32, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 509; FHL microfilm 2,340,244. Census date: 4 Apr 1930. Name: Virgil Hoff; Gender: Male; Age: 42; Marital Status: Married; Race: White; Race (Original): White; Relationship to Head of Household: Head; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head; Birth Year (Estimated): 1888; Birthplace: West Virginia; Father's Birthplace: West Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia; Household (Role Gender Age Birthplace): Virgil Hoff, Head, M, 42, married, marriage age: 18; West Virginia; parents' birthplace: WV; manager, restaurant, employer, employed, veteran?: no; Betty J Hoff, Wife, F, 44, married, marriage age: 18; Kentucky; parents' birthplace: Kentucky; occupation: none; Ellis Vance, Son, M, 24, married, marriage age: 16; Illinois; parent's birthplace: Kentucky; machinist, J.C.R. R. shop; wages, employed; veteran?: no; Barbary Vance, Daughter-in-law, F, 23, married, marriage age: 15; Illinois; parents' birthplace: Illinois; Saleslady, dry goods store, wages, employed; Eugene Vance, Grandson, M, 7, Illinois; parents' birthplace: Illinois; attended school; Louise Vance, Daughter, F, 20, Illinois; parents' birthplace: Kentucky; occupation: none; attended school. Address: 407 South Monroe; owned house; $6500; has radio, not a farm.

The Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL), 14 Dec 1938. Accessed at www.newspapers.com 19 July 2015. Father's obituary mentions " V.R. Hoff, Clinton, with whom he had made his home since May, 1921."

"United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KW4G-VZX : accessed 22 July 2015), Ray Hoff, Clinton, Clintonia Township, De Witt, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 20-5, sheet 2B, family 67, NARA digital publication T627 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012), roll 794. Census date: 4-5 Apr 1940. Name: Ray Hoff; Gender: Male; Age: 52; Marital Status: Married; Race (Original): White; Race: White; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head; Relationship to Head of Household: Head; Birthplace: West Virginia; Birth Year (Estimated): 1888; Last Place of Residence: Same House; Household (Role Gender Age Birthplace): Ray Hoff, Head, M, 52, married, educ: 3; West Virginia; private work: 70 hrs/52 wks; owner, restaurant; own account, income: 0; other income; Betty Hoff, Wife, F, 54, married; educ: 5; Kentucky; private work, assists own restaurant; own account; income: 0; no other income. Address: 401 Monroe; Owned house, value: $3000, not a farm. Were in same house in 1935.

"United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V1K3-MF2 : accessed 22 July 2015), Virgil Ray Hoff, 1942; citing NAID identifier , NARA microfilm publication M1936, M1937, M1939, M1951, M1962, M1964, M1986, M2090, and M2097 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm . Name: Virgil Ray Hoff Sr.; Event Type: Draft Registration; Event Date: 1942; Event Place: Clinton, DeWitt, County, Illinois, United States; Residence Place: 407 S. Monroe St., Clinton, DeWitt, Illinois; Gender: Male; Birth Date: 25 Aug 1887; Affiliate ARC Identifier: 623284.; Age: 55; Place of birth: Berea, West Virginia; Contact: Betty J. Hoff, 407 S. Monroe St., Clinton, Ill; Ellis Vance, 708 E. Washington, Clinton, Ill. Employer: Self; 108 S. Monroe St., Clinton, Ill. Signed as Virgil R. Hoff Sr.

Marriages

"West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FYDH-TWB : accessed 22 July 2015), Virgle R Hoff and Alta O Sommerville, 1906; citing Ritchie, West Virginia, United States, , county clerks, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 839,539. Name: Virgle R Hoff; Of Ritchie County, WVa; marital status: single; Age: 19; Birthplace: Richie Co., WVa; Residence: Auburn, Ritchie Co, W.VA; Spouse's Name: Alta O Sommerville; Of Ritchie Co., WVa. Spouse marital status: single; Spouse age: 16; Spouse Birthplace: Ritchie Co, WVa; Residence: Auburn, Ritchie Co., WVA. Event Type: Marriage; Event Date: 1906; Event Place: Ritchie, West Virginia, United States; Affiliate Repository Type: County Records. Marriage license date: 10 Apr 1906; Marriage ceremony: Silas McGregor, ME Church minister, date: 14 Apr 1906, at Brides residence.

"Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFKK-MZR : accessed 22 July 2015), Virgil Ray Hoff and Bettie Jane Coakley Vance, 16 Dec 1918; citing De Witt, Illinois, United States, county offices, Illinois; FHL microfilm . Name: Virgil Ray Hoff; Name Note: Prev. md.; Event Type: Marriage; Event Date: 16 Dec 1918; Event Place: De Witt, Illinois, United States; Gender: Male; Age: 32; Marital Status: Unknown; Race: White Cauc.; Birth Year (Estimated): 1886; Birthplace: Beria, W. Va.; Father's Name: Eri Benson Hoff; Mother's Name: Melinda Hart; Spouse's Name: Bettie Jane Coakley Vance; Spouse's Gender: Female; Spouse's Age: 33; Spouse's Marital Status: Unknown; Spouse's Race: White Cauc.; Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1885; Spouse's Birthplace: Coakley, Ky; Spouse's Father's Name: Samuel Coakley; Spouse's Mother's Name: Nannie Ingram.

Children

"West Virginia Births, 1853-1930," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRHF-NZR : accessed 22 July 2015), Virgil Ray Hoff in entry for Arriahwana Pearl Hoff, 26 Apr 1908; citing Auburn, Ritchie, West Virginia, United States, county courthouses, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 839,537. Name: Arriahwana Pearl Hoff; Event Type: Birth; Event Date: 26 Apr 1908; Event Place: Auburn, Ritchie, West Virginia, United States; Gender: Female; Father's Name: Virgil Ray Hoff; Father's Birthplace: Bearea, W. Va.; Mother's Name: Alta Somerville; Mother's Birthplace: Auburn, West Virginia. Residence: Auburn, WV

Wife's death

"Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N386-3J5 : accessed 22 July 2015), Virgil Hoff in entry for Mrs. Alta Hoff, 27 May 1925; Public Board of Health, Archives, Springfield; FHL microfilm 1,503,935. Name: Mrs. Alta Hoff; Event Date: 27 May 1925; Event Place: Clinton, DeWitt, Illinois; Gender: Female; Age: 35; Birth Year (Estimated): 1890; Birth Date: 09 Sep 1889; Birthplace: Auburn, West Virginia; Father's Name: John Summerville; Father's Birthplace: West Virginia; Mother's Name: Alta Goodwin; Mother's Birthplace: Penn; Occupation: Cook; Residence Place: Clinton, IL; Spouse's Name: Virgil Hoff; Burial Date: 30 May 1925. Note: she is buried in Auburn, WV.

Death

"United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JYND-YZP : accessed 22 July 2015), Virgil Hoff Sr, Jan 1963; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing). Age: 76; Given Name: Virgil; Surname: Hoff Sr; Birth Date: 25 Aug 1887; State: Illinois; Event Date: Jan 1963.

FindaGrave Memorial #129977896 accessed 22 Jul 2015. Name: Virgil R Hoff; Birth: 1887; Death: 1963; Burial: Mausoleum Park Cemetery, Clinton, DeWitt County, Illinois, USA; Photo: yes. Inscription; "Hoff, Father, Virgil R., 1887-1963; Mother, Bettie J., 1886-1973

See also:

• Add sources here.