John H. Hoffecker

John H. Hoffecker
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's At-large district
In office March 4, 1899 – June 16, 1900
Preceded by	L. Irving Handy
Succeeded by	Walter O. Hoffecker
Member of the Delaware House of Representatives
In office January 10, 1889 - January 10, 1891
Personal details
Born	(1827-09-12)September 12, 1827 Smyrna, Delaware
Died	June 16, 1900(1900-06-16) (aged 72) Smyrna, Delaware
Political party	Republican
Residence	Smyrna, Delaware
Occupation	engineer

John Henry Hoffecker (September 12, 1827 – June 16, 1900) was an American engineer, and politician, from Smyrna, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served as U. S. Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family

Hoffecker was born in Kent County, near Smyrna, Delaware, the son of Joseph and Rachel Van Gasken Hoffecker. He studied civil engineering and entered into that profession in 1853. He married twice, first to Annie E. Appleton, with whom he had four children, Walter, John A., James Edwin, and Annie. He married secondly, Charlotte Jerman, the widow of Joseph H. Hoffecker. She had been a missionary in China from 1875 to 1878.

Political career

Hoffecker was originally a member of the Whig Party, but like so many others, became a Republican in 1856. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1876 and 1884. He was also president of the Smyrna town council from 1878 until 1898. Elected to the State House in 1888, he served in the 1889/90 session and was chosen to be the Speaker. He ran for Governor in 1896 as the candidate of the Union (Addicks) Republicans and the National Prohibition Party. However, enough votes went to the Regular Republican candidate, John C. Higgins, that the Democrat, Ebe W. Tunnell was elected.

Hoffecker was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1898, defeating incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative L. Irving Handy. He served in the Republican majority in the 56th Congress. During a visit home from the 1900 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, Hoffecker suffered a stroke and died. He had served from March 4, 1899 until his death on June 16, 1900, during the administration of U.S. President William McKinley.

Death and legacy

Hoffecker died at Smyrna and is buried there in the Glenwood Cemetery. His son, Walter O. Hoffecker, was elected to finish his term in the United States House of Representatives. His home Ivy Dale Farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.^[1]

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. Members of the Delaware General Assembly take office the second Tuesday of January. The State House members have a two-year term. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and also have a two-year term.

References

1. ↑ National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 

• Martin, Roger A.. (2003). Delawareans in Congress, the House of Representatives 1789-1900. ISBN 0-924117-26-5. 

External links

• Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
• Delaware's Member of Congress
• Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard

Places with information

• Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161
• University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965
• Newark Free Library; 750 Library Ave., Newark, Delaware; (302) 731-7550.

Members of the United States House of Representatives from Delaware
Vining Patten Latimer Bayard C. Rodney Broom Van Dyke Ridgely Cooper T. Clayton McLane Hall D. Rodney Johns Milligan Robinson G. Rodney J. Houston Riddle Cullen Whiteley Fisher Temple Smithers Nicholson Biggs Lofland J. Williams Martin Lore Penington Causey Willis Handy J. Hoffecker W. Hoffecker Ball H. Houston Burton Heald Brockson Miller Polk Layton Boyce R. Houston Adams Stewart Allen G. Williams Traynor Willey Boggs Warburton McDowell Haskell Roth du Pont Evans Carper Castle Carney Rochester (elect)