J. Edward Hoffer
Had Been in Business in Mansfield For More Than Half a Century -- When J. Edward Hoffer recently retired from the meat business it was with the record of having been continuously in that business in Mansfield for more than half a century, a record of long-continued application to one line of industry, of which he may well feel proud. Mr. Hoffer was born in Carlisle, Pa., Dec. 1, 1839, and it was on his seventieth birthday anniversary that he sold to S. J. Colwell and M. W. Gatch the lot at 147 North Main street, together with the building in which he had conducted a shop for the past twenty-five years. This building was erected by Mr. Hoffer at the southeast corner of Main and Fifth streets and was later moved across the street when arrangements were being made to erect the mill of Gilbert & Co on that corner. Mr. Hoffer came to Mansfield, July 15, 1858, and soon after his arrival went into the meat business with his brother, the late Isaac Hoffer, their first shop being in the basement of the St. James, now the Vonhof hotel. Later they occupied a stall in the city market house, then on Park avenue west, and after a time opened a shop at the corner of Main and Sixth streets, moving from there to the building erected by Mr. Hoffer at the corner of Fifth and Main. Realizing that he was advancing in years, Mr. Hoffer decided a few months ago to retire from active business, to which he had devoted his attention for so long. He resides at 390 Marion avenue and is enjoying reasonably good health. He has been a member of St. Luke's Lutheran church since its organization and is also a member of the Royal Arcanum lodge.
From The Mansfield News, Page 4: Saturday, January 22, 1910