Katherine (Hemmer) Hoffman

[fb_button]Katherine Hemmer was born  5 Mar 1820 and baptized on 17 Mar 1820 in Bliesen, near Sankt Wendel in Saarland (see Hoffman page). Her family spoke German. There is quite a bit of information on her long life! Her parents were Johann Hemmer b. 18 Jan 1789 Bliesen and his second wife, Katherina Liesmann/Lisman b. 2 Jul 1793 Friesen, Germany . Katherina Lisman’s was the youngest daughter of Heinrich Lisman b. 1770 Friesen and Maria Catherina Schaad b.1775 Friesen. Johann Hemmer had 3 wives; He was the eldest child of Johann Nikolaus b. abt. 1750 and baptized in St. Remegius Parish and  Anna Maria Franziska Müller.

Katherine married Nicholas Hoffman, a man 33 years her senior on 17 Sep 1846 in Bliesen. One year later, first daughter, Barbara was born in Nov 1847.

Katherine, Nicholas and her first daughter, Barbara emigrated in 1848. Her brother, Michael Hemmer appears on the 1855 census as a farmer, living next door to Nicholas and Katherine, so perhaps they all emigrated together. We have not found the record yet.

In 1850, Katherine (31) and Nicholas (65) lived in Wayland (the hamlet of Perkinsville actually) in Steuben County, NY with their three daughters, Barbara (3), Mary (2), and Francis (1). Nicholas was a farmer. Nicholas, Katherine and their first daughter were born in Germany. The value of their real estate was $200.00. Neither Katherine or her husband could read or write. Not sure if they were referring only to English or to any language.

The 1855 census shows the family still living in Perkinsville. Nicholas (69), Katherine (36), Barbara (8), Anna –her name is Nancy on the record at familysearch.org (6), Francis(4), and Elizabeth is 2. Nicholas is a farmer. They live next door to a Michael Hemmer, also a farmer, and his family. Could this be Katherine’s brother? Michael had been a resident of Perkinsville for 7 years, just like Katherine and Nicholas. This means they all probably emigrated in 1848. Nicholas owns his land. As noted on the 1850 US census, Nicholas and Katherine cannot read nor write. They, and Barbara are listed as Aliens.

Katherine turns 40. They still live in Perkinsville; the post office is Wayland Depot. She continued to have children and by 1860, she and Nicholas (who is 76 and a day laborer) have Barbara (13), Anna (11), Francis (10), Elisabeth (6), Peter (3), and baby Nick is 6 months old in July when the census was taken. The eldest three girls are attending school, leaving three children home with Katherine.

In 1862, Katherine’s husband Nicholas died. He’s buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Perkinsville. This is connected with the Catholic church there, so I’m guessing that that was where the family worshipped.

In 1900 Katherine (80) is living at 9 Clay Street in North Dansville with her daughter Barbara (52), Barbara’s husband Peter Yochum (a day laborer, 63, had been unemployed for 6 months), and her granddaughter (Francis’ daughter) Anna K Mayer (26). Peter owns the home, free of mortgage. Anna is a shoe operator is a shoe factory; she had been unemployed for 2 months. Katherine reports that she has given birth to 9 children, 5 of whom are still alive. Katherine and Barbara had been in this country for 52 years at this time. Katherine has learned to read and speak English; she does not know how to write however.

The following is a short article regarding Katherine’s birthday party when she turned 88. It’s from a local publication, The Picket Line Post [Mt. Morris NY] n.d. 1908
Mrs. Katherine Hoffman was 88 years old on St. Patrick’s day, and the event was celebrated at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Peter LaForce, with whom she resides. The members of her family present were Mrs. Peter Yochum, Mrs. Frances Myers and family, Peter Hoffman and son, Ernest Auch and wife of Campbell, George Scherer and family.

In 1910, only 90 year old Katherine and her eldest daughter, who is now widowed, 62 year old, Barbara, are found living at 9 Clay Street. Katherine reports she speaks German, can read though she cannot write, and has no profession. Barbara speaks English and is a self-employed seamstress working from her home. Katherine is blind.

Katherine died from Lupus, and asthenia on 1 July 1910. She was ninety years old.  Three days later she was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Perkinsville NY.