----Sources: WEEKLY CLARION (Dorchester, Clark Co., WI) 03/15/1929

Hoffman, William (18 Augl 1876 - 6 Mar 1929)

William Hoffman, who passed away at the Marshfield Hospital on Wednesday forenoon of last week from diabetes, was buried Monday afternoon, the funeral services being held at the home, Rev. M. C. Durnam, pastor of the Abbotsford Presbyterian Church, officiating, and interment was made in the Abbotsford Cemetery.

William was the son of Mr. and Mrs. August Hoffman and was born in Berlin, Germany, on Aug. 18, 1876. At the age of eight years he immigrated to the United States with his parents, who spent several moths in Chicago and St. Paul before locating in Dorchester, Clark County, Wis. As William grew up he completed the common school course here and for a number of years traveled with the Skerbeck Circus where he learned the feat of swallowing swords, as Mr. Skerbeck did in his sensational sword swallowing act, and was also the proud owner of the first phonograph in town. It was a small portable affair with a number of ear tubes attached and e was very busy collecting the nickels charge to listen to the records.

His father died in 1901 and shortly afterwards he purchased the farm north of Abbotsford, then practically a piece of wild timberland, from George Fessler. Much of the next few years was spent in Minneapolis where he was employed by the Hartman Furniture Co. "Bill", as everybody called him, finally began clearing on the farm and in a few more years erected a house on it and has since conducted a saloon. About five years ago he was married to Miss Alice Koch.

Besides his widow, he leaves to mourn his loss, an aged mother, and one sister, Mrs. C. Bunke, both residing in the village.