John H. Hoffecker
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John H. Hoffecker | |
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Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromDelaware'sat-largedistrict | |
In office March 4, 1899 – June 16, 1900 | |
Preceded by | L. Irving Handy |
Succeeded by | Walter O. Hoffecker |
Member of theDelaware House of Representatives | |
In office January 10, 1889 – January 10, 1891 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Smyrna, Delaware | September 12, 1827
Died | June 16, 1900 Smyrna, Delaware | (aged 72)
Political party | Republican |
Residence(s) | Smyrna, Delaware |
Occupation | Engineer |
John Henry Hoffecker(September 12, 1827 – June 16, 1900) was an American engineer and politician fromSmyrnainKent County, Delaware.He was a member of theRepublican Party,and served as U.S. Representative from Delaware.
Early life and family
[edit]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 O.,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
[edit]Hoffecker was originally a member of theWhig Party,but like so many others, became a Republican in 1856. He was a delegate to theRepublican National Conventionin 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 elected Speaker. He ran for governor in 1896 as the candidate of both the Union Republicans (controlled by (J. Edward Addicks), and the National Party (a rival to theProhibition Party). However, enough votes went to the regular (Anti-Addicks) Republican candidate,John C. Higgins,that DemocratEbe W. Tunnellwas elected.
Hoffecker was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1898, defeating incumbent Democratic U.S. RepresentativeL. Irving Handy.He served in the Republican majority in the 56th Congress. On June 16, 1900, during a visit home from the 1900Republican National Conventionin Philadelphia, Hoffecker suffered a stroke and died. He had served from March 4, 1899, until his death, during the administration of U.S. PresidentWilliam McKinley.
Death and legacy
[edit]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 U.S. House. His home,Ivy Dale Farm,was listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1973.[1]
Almanac
[edit]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.
Public Offices | ||||||
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Office | Type | Location | Began office | Ended office | Notes | |
State Representative | Legislature | Dover | January 10, 1889 | January 10, 1891 | Speaker | |
U.S. Representative | Legislature | Washington | March 4, 1899 | June 16, 1900 | died in office |
United States congressional service | ||||||
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Dates | Congress | Chamber | Majority | President | Committees | Class/District |
1899–1901 | 56th | U.S. House | Republican | William McKinley | at-large |
Election results | |||||||||||
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Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
1896 | Governor | John H. Hoffecker | Union Republican | 11,014 | 31% | Ebe W. Tunnell John C. Higgins |
Democratic Republican |
15,507 7,154 |
44% 20% | ||
1898 | U.S. Representative | John H. Hoffecker | Republican | 17,566 | 54% | L. Irving Handy | Democratic | 15,053 | 46% |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- Martin, Roger A.. (2003).Delawareans in Congress, the House of Representatives 1789-1900.ISBN0-924117-26-5.
External links
[edit]- Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
- Delaware's Member of Congress
- Memorial addresses on the life and character of John H. Hoffecker, late a representative from Delaware delivered in the House of Representatives and Senate frontispiece 1901
- John H. HoffeckeratFind a Grave
- The Political Graveyard
Places with information
[edit]- 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.
- 1827 births
- 1900 deaths
- People from Smyrna, Delaware
- Republican Party members of the Delaware House of Representatives
- Burials in Kent County, Delaware
- Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Delaware
- 19th-century American legislators
- Engineers from Delaware
- 19th-century American engineers