San Francisco County
Biographies
EDWARD HOFFMAN
The foreman of machinery of the Metropolitan Match Company’s works at Stege is a man of extended experience along mechanical lines, having had, among other advantages, that of the severe and exacting training of an European apprenticeship. Born in Saxony, Germany, February 5, 1865, he is the fourth of the five sons and one daughter of Edward and Emily (Stoss) Hoffman, the former of whom was a stone cutter by trade, following the same during his entire active life in Saxony.
After completing his education in the public schools of Saxony, Edward apprenticed to a machinist in Bad Elster, Saxony, and in 1883 left his home principality and traveled practically all over Europe, plying his trade until 1888. During the summer of that year he sailed to America, and on the Pacific coast found employment with the Union Iron Works, with which he remained until 1891. He then went with the Riston Iron Works for a couple of years, and in 1893 became associated with the Metropolitan Match Company as foreman of machinery, which responsibility he has filled to his own credit and to the advantage of this well known enterprise. Eleven years of service in the same capacity argues both faithfulness and ability, and these Mr. Hoffman possesses in marked degree, adding to them also indefatigable industry and inventive power, as well as the ability to command the best effort from his subordinates. As is well known, the Metropolitan Match Company is the outgrowth of one of the earliest and largest match manufacturing establishments on the coast, the enterprise having been moved to Stege from San Francisco in 1897, and the present company incorporated in 1904 by Frank Severio, president and manager. The plant covers eight acres, has a large capacity, and includes in its machinery many of the finest patents of any manufactory in the world. A variety of matches and mining fuses are included in its output, and its products find their way to all parts of the west and north.
Mr. Hoffman has a pleasant home in Stege, and in his wife and helpmate he has a fellow countrywoman, who in girlhood was known as Emily Wacker of Stuttgart, Wurtemberg. Three children have been born into the family since the marriage in San Francisco in 1890, Alma, Edward, Jr., and Walter.
Transcribed
Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 705-706. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Joyce Rugeroni.
San Francisco County Biographies