Biography - Valentine Hoffman
Valentine HOFFMAN, merchant, Litchfield, was born in Bavaria on May 14, 1833, and came to the Untied States in 1842 with his parents, who settled in Columbus, Ohio, shortly after removing to a farm near Reynoldsburg, Franklin Co., Ohio, where our subject grew up and received an English education in the public schools. At the age of sixteen, he learned the trade of iron-molding at Gill's Foundry, at Columbus, serving five years as apprentice and journeyman; he then traveled two years as journeyman, working in St. Louis and Indianapolis. In 1856, he came to Macoupin County, Ill., where he married Miss Martha TURNER January 15, 1857, and, the following year, came to Montgomery County, Ill.; here he entered the employ of H. H. BEACH & Co., as molder, and continued until the war broke out. He first enlisted for three months in the Seventh Illinois Regiment, and served his time out. He then returned to his old place with H. H. BEACH & Co., and remained until September, 1862, when he again enlisted, this time in the Ninety-first Illinois Regiment, as private soldier; he was mustered in as Orderly Sergeant, and his first engagement was at Elizabethtown, Ky., where he and the entire command were taken prisoners. During his confinement, he was made Second Lieutenant at Benton Barracks; he was retained a prisoner from January 1, 1863, to June 3, 1863, and was then exchanged, when he joined the Thirteenth Army Corps in their first engagement at Morganza, La. He went into quarters at Carrollton, above New Orleans, and, in December, 1863, he went with Banks' expedition across the Gulf to Texas, where, for seven months, he experienced continual skirmishing. In March, 1865, he left Texas, and took part in the capture of Mobile, Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort. At Fort Blakely, Capt. HOFFMAN was wounded in the wrist by a Mini ball while on the skirmish line, March 26, 1865. In 1864, he was promoted to Captain of Company A., Ninety-first Illinois Regiment. After his wound, he was sent home on leave of absence, and was honorably discharged, being mustered out at Camp Butler, Ill., in September, 1865. The following year, he engaged in mercantile pursuits at Litchfield, at first having but a small stock; he has won success by his industry and perseverance, and for nine years has been located on Jefferson street, where he has built up a large trade in groceries, queensware, boots, shoes, etc.; he employs four persons in his store. He cast his first vote for Fremont, and has always been a Republican. He has ever taken an active interest in city affairs and all matters of public interest. He served one term in the City Council. Mr. HOFFMAN, true to his German birth, is fond of music, and creates it on various musical instruments.
Extracted 19 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 145-146.
