My Genealogy Hound

JACOB D. STOFFLET, one of the best-known farmers in Upper Pottsgrove township, was born October 27, 1844, in New Hanover township, Montgomery county. He is the son of Henry and Sarah (Decker) Stofflet.

Henry Stofflet (father) was born in Pottsgrove township in 1820. During the early part of his life he was cabinet-maker, and afterwards engaged in produce dealing for eight years. For a number of years he was a farmer, and also was employed as a stair builder in Philadelphia, residing in Pottstown, while he was so engaged. During the Civil war he served as a state defender, and was present at the battle of Gettysburg. He was a Democrat in politics. He died in 1902, at the age of eighty-two years, and his wife is still living, being eighty years old. She resides with her son Jacob. Mr. Stofflet was a member of the Lutheran church, and his wife belonged to the Reformed church.

Jacob and ____(Oxenford) Decker (maternal grandparents), lived in New Hanover township, where he was a millwright and a farmer. He died twenty years ago, being about ninety years old at the time of his death, and his wife died several years before him. They had three children, as follows: Sarah, married Henry Stofflet; Maria (deceased), married and had two children; Elizabeth, married John Schneider (deceased), and lives in New Hanover township; they had three children.

Henry and Sarah (Decker) Stofflet had eight children, three of whom are deceased: Elizabeth, married, now a widow, and lives in Philadelphia; she had one child, Edna Becker, living near Media, Pennsylvania. Amanda (deceased). Sarah, married, and lived in the state of New York when last heard from. Eva (deceased). Ellen, married Frank Deckson, and they live in Philadelphia. They had three children, two of whom are living. Henry lives in Philadelphia and is a builder; by his first wife, Mary Lewis, he had three children, one deceased; he married the second time, Louisa Crawford, of Philadelphia; they had no children. Michael went west thirty years ago and has not been heard of since. Adam (deceased). Milton, married Catherine Kyler, and lives in Pottstown; he is a painter and a paper-hanger; they have no children. Jacob D.

Michael Stofflet (grandfather) lived for many years on a farm near that of Jacob D. Stofflet, and died a long time ago. He was a shoemaker and carried on farming in connection with his trade. He married Catherine Reichner, who also died many years ago. They had eight children, all of whom survived them.

Jacob D. Stofflet attended school until he was fifteen years of age, then worked on a farm for four years. For the next three years he was employed as a clerk in a Philadelphia store. He went with a circus, traveling around for two years, and finally leaving the circus in Philadelphia. Later he went as far west as Iowa, and visited many more states, leading a roving life, and seeing a great deal of the world. He finally settled down in the lumber region of Pennsylvania, remaining there for fifteen years. He drove a team for seven years, and then engaged in the lumber business for himself for eight years.

At the end of that time he went to Center county, Pennsylvania, and engaged in the produce business. On returning to Philadelphia he built stairs for about ten years, and then after so many years spent in different localities, he returned to the vicinity of his birthplace. Since his return he has been engaged in farming in Upper Pottsgrove township.

October 27, 1881, Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Catharine (Knapp) Hoffman, became the wife of Jacob D. Stofflet. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman were farmers in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, where they settled immediately after their arrival from Germany. They landed in New York City twenty-five years ago, and are examples of that class of immigrants who make the best American citizens. Mr. Stofflet has spent many days with his father-in-law, and has listened to the stories of his adventures. He was told that the first of the Hoffman family spelled the name in a different way. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman had eight children, as follows: Herman, Mary, John, Elizabeth, Annie, Catherine, Christopher, and Peter, who died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob D. Stofflet have two children: Mary Emma, resides in Philadelphia, where she is employed in a dressmaking establishment. Sarah E. is now at home with her parents. Mr. Stofflet is a Republican. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Order of American Mechanics.