Julius Hoffmann

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Julius Hoffmann (b April 5, 1829, Schwerin, Mecklenburg, Germany; d March, 18, 1913, New York) (1) (3) (6) was the Manager of the German Society and served as President of the Liederkranz for several terms. He was William Steinway's business associate, friend, confidante and fellow Skat player. Hoffmann appears throughout the entire span of the diary, beginning in 1861 when William dined with him in Buffalo and ending with the final diary entry.

Julius Hoffmann worked in the book trade in Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1853 and settled in Buffalo, where he earned a reputation as a respected auditor and became one of the most popular Germans in the city. (3) He worked as the editor of the newspaper The Telegraph, in the iron business of Edward Folger & Co, and as a warehouse manager for a whiskey distillery. (3) On April 1, 1865, Julius Hoffmann was appointed Assistant Postmaster, but he held this position for only one month. There are conflicting explanations of Hoffmann's sudden resignation. According to one account, he resigned in protest against political demands and because he wanted to return to business. (2) Another account says that Hoffmann was asked to resign his position by Congressman David S. Bennett. (3)

Julius Hoffmann joined the Buffalo Liedertafel in 1856 where he also met William Steinway (4). He was credited with improving the singing society and raising it to the level of the New York Liederkranz. (3) He called on William while visiting New York and corresponded with him. In 1869, the German Society of New York (Deutsche Gesellschaft) was seeking a manager for its newly established banking business. Founded in 1784 to assist German immigrants, the society's services were expanding with the increase in German immigration. (7) William Steinway recommended Julius Hoffmann for the position of Business Manager of the German Society. Hoffmann assumed the post on January 1, 1870. (2)

Julius Hoffmann was credited with the German Society's business success: "It is probably not an exaggeration that a large part of the success of the German Society took place under Mr. Hoffmann's leadership." (2) The celebration of Julius Hoffmann's 25th anniversary with the German Society was held at Liederkranz Hall on January 5, 1895. In honor of his 25 years with the German Society, Hoffmann received a $1,000 bond and a gold watch and chain. Hoffmann's responsibilities as Business Manager of the German Society required "a warm heart and clear understanding," according to the society's President, Gustav Schwab, who spoke at the celebration. William Steinway praised Julius Hoffmann as a "man of genuine German grain and grit." (4) Julius Hoffmann humbly responded to the gifts and accolades given him on this occasion: "I have achieved the best goal, which a man can reach, in that I have earned the satisfaction of my superiors, recognition from my fellow man and say to myself, that I have taken care of my obligations in the best possible way." (4)

Julius Hoffman joined the New York Liederkranz the same year he moved to the city from Buffalo, and he supported the singing society in his new home as strongly as he had supported the Buffalo Liedertafel. By 1876, he was elected Vice President of the Liederkranz. He held this office in 1877, 1878-79, 1882-83, and 1883-84. He served as President of the Liederkranz in the years 1884-85, 1889-90, 1893-94, and 1896. He became President after William's death in 1896. He also served on the Board of Trustees, the Jubilee and Press Committees, and as the society's Librarian. (5)

Hoffman joined William in advising against the Liederkranz's blackballing of Jewish members. On November 8, 1881, William wrote, "At L.K. in eveg... In spite of my warnings + Julius Hoffmann two Jews are blackballed on ballot." There are numerous entries about William consulting with Julius Hoffmann to decide on the presidency of the Liederkranz. For example, William recorded, "Adams, Hoffmann, Kämmerer, Poggenburg & I hold a caucus, I refuse reelection, we agree on Hoffmann as Pres." (Diary, 1884-09-02)

William Steinway also entrusted Julius Hoffmann with his business and personal affairs. On January 29, 1873, he wrote, "In the morning have all Documents, Mortgage Bond release by Julia Steinway, Bond to get Johanna Steinways receipt signed, Julius Hoffmann acknowledges same, dated yesterday." Hoffmann certified William's signature on a deed and mortgage assignment. (Diary, 1876-01-04) On August 20, 1883, William swore to his affidavit as to the Gleason road before Julius Hoffmann (Diary, 1883-08-20). William even met with his lawyer Cotterill at Hoffmann's house where he disclosed the "misdeed" of his wife Regina. (Diary, 1876-03-25)

Julius Hoffmann was also a member of the German Hospital Society, Isabella Home, and German School Association. (1) He was married to Anna Hollerith of Buffalo. They had no children. (2) In 1892, Hoffmann visited Germany after an absence of 40 years. William Steinway noted his trip on June 25, 1892: "Steamer Wieland sails from New York with Arion on board and Julius Hoffmann + Richard H. Adams sail with steamer "Ems." William was in Germany at the same time, and Hoffmann called on him in Wiesbaden on July 22.

Considered "distinguished looking" and regarded as an excellent speaker, (3) Hoffman earned even William's praise for his speeches. He gave a "most affecting speech" at the funeral of Emil Neymann. (Diary, 1884-02-10) At the funeral of Louis Kaemmerer, Julius Hoffmann spoke "beautifully," William wrote. (Diary, 1880-12-20)

On occasion, William criticized Hoffmann's performance: "At L.K. social eveg for which I have arranged a splendid programme. I let Hoffmann preside, prompting him, but his voice is too weak." (Diary, 1884-10-24) When he was President of the Liederkranz, William often let Hoffmann preside. Julius Hoffmann presided for a "tired and jaded" William Steinway on November 8, 1896, the final diary entry.

Julius Hoffmann delivered a eulogy at William's funeral, describing him as a loyal comrade of singers. Hoffmann said that William was proud to be in the ranks of active members of the Liederkranz and that his last thoughts dwelled on the faithful singers. He noted that William's favorite walk was from home to the Liederkranz. "We will never have a William Steinway among us", Hoffmann said. He thanked William for all the friendship and love he had shown Liederkranz members over the years. (5, p. 105)

Two months later, Julius Hoffmann spoke at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Liederkranz, saying that the society should remain a mighty fortress for German song and language and for true German thought. (5, p. 120)

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Sources:

"An ancient organization," The New York Times, February 3, 1895, p. 16.
"Grey but honored – Julius Hoffmann's 25th anniversary," New Yorker Staats-Zeitung, January 5, 1895, p. 12.
History of the Germans in Buffalo and Erie County, N.Y. with biographies and illustrations of the aforementioned German-Americans who have influenced the development of the city of Buffalo. Buffalo, NY: Reinecke & Zesch, 1898, p. 65. (Translation of Geschichte der Deutschen in Buffalo and Erie County, N.Y. mit Biographien und Illustrationen hervorrangender Deutsch-Amerikaner, welche zur Entwicklung der Stadt Buffalo beigetragen haben by Susan Kriegbaum-Hanks) http://archivaria.com/GdDbios/GdD15.html. (Accessed 3/14/2012.)
Mosenthal, Hermann. Geschichte des Vereins deutscher Liederkranz in New York. New York: F.A. Ringler Company, 1887.
United States Census 1860, New York, Erie, Buffalo. Series?M653,?Roll?746, p.?584.
"Hoffmann celebration," New Yorker Staats-Zeitung, January 6, 1895, p. 18.
"The work of a century," The New York Times, October 5, 1884, p. 2.