| |
HOFFMAN FAMILY
John Frederick Hoffman III (1886-1967) House (circa 1913)
(situated on Beuhler Street-north of CSX RR. and west of Cox Avenue)
(l-r: Margaret Hoffman Fillingim (1916-1966); Hattie C. Hoffman
(1889-1958); and Louise E.H.C. Beuhler (1879-1965)
John F. Hoffman Jr.
John Frederick Hoffman Jr. (1852-1906) was born at New
Orleans, the son of John F. Hoffman and Mary Louise Munsch Hoffman
Buttner (1832-1912), both German immigrants. After the demise of
his father, Mrs. Hoffman married Frederick Buttner (1826-1903), a
native of Saxony, Germany.
John F. Hoffman Jr. (1852-1906) married Mary Pauline Schmidt at New
Orleans. Their children were: Wilhelmina “Nell” Hoffman Littolff
(1878-1902), Louise Emma H. Buehler (1879-1965), Marie Elizabeth H.
Fayard (1884-1951), John F. Hoffman III (1886-1967), and Charles W.
Hoffman (1889-1972).
_small.jpg)
John Frederick Hoffman Jr.
(1852-1906)
John F. Hoffman Jr.
acquired land at Ocean Springs as early as September 1880, when he
bought a tract east of Ocean Springs known as “The Thomas
Place” from Jacob Schneller and
F.W. Illing for $400. The “Thomas Place”
derived its name from Barney
Thomas, George Thomas, and Mrs. Soden, who once owned this parcel
with a five-hundred sixty-four foot front on Government Street.(JXCO,
Ms. Land Deed Bk. 4, pp. 596-598) Almost immediately, he sold this
tract to his mother, Marie L. Hoffman Buttner. In the warranty
deed, this land was described as being west of the “Old
Delgado Place” and East of Mrs.
Soden.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 4, pp. 638-639)
The Buttner’s home was situated on the southeast corner
of Washington Avenue and Iberville. It was sold to Louis A. Lundy
(1876-1941) in May 1913, by Commissioner Fred Taylor after the
litigation, John Hoffman et al v. Herman Buttner, was
adjudicated in the Chancery Court of Jackson County,
Mississippi.(JXCO, Ms. Chancery Court Cause No. 3185, November
1912) The Buttner-Lundy place stood until it was torn down to erect
a sanctuary for the Church of Christ, in the early 1960s.
John F. Hoffman expired at Ocean Springs on February 13,
1906. He was foreman of the Ocean Springs Fire Company and a member
of Eureka Camp Woodmen of the World of New Orleans.(The Biloxi
Daily Herald, February 14, 1906, p. 1)
Lorreta M. Litolff
Loretta Marie Litolff was born October 21, 1898. She was the only
child of Wilhelmina Hoffman Litolff, who preceded her father in
death. Frederick M. Dick (1857-1922) was appointed her legal
guardian and held this position until May 1916, when Leonard J.
Fayard (1847-1923), was appointed. She was given a living allowance
of $12.50.( Jackson County, Mississippi Chancery Court Cause No.
1516-April 1906)
In January 1923, Loretta married George Arenstan, probably at New
Orleans. He expired in Eldorado, Arkansas on March 5, 1923. Mrs.
Arenstan was a resident of New Orleans at the time. She had once
lived in Biloxi.(The Daily Herald, March 9, 1923, p. 3)
There is the probability that the widow, Loretta L.
Arenstan, married a Mr. Strong at New Orleans and resided there
until her death in July 1980. This hypothesis is based on
information derived from the Social Security Death Index and has not
been verified. No further information.
Louise E. Hoffman
Louise Emma H. Buehler was born December 17, 1879, at
Galveston, Texas. She married Mr. Costley, a waiter in a New
Orleans restaurant. They had a daughter, Anne C. Verner
(1901-1990). Circa 1905, Louise married Christian Buehler
(1865-1936), the son of Andrew Buehler (1823-1906) and Rosine Bieek
or Biesk. They were the parents of Frank Christian Buehler
(1909-1985).(Walterine V. Redding, April 4, 2002)
Louise Emma Hoffman Costley Buehler (1879-1965)
(courtesy of Walterine 'Sis' Verner Redding (1923-2005)
Christian Buehler made his livelihood as a painter and
carpenter. The family resided on Cox Avenue. In his later life,
Christian’s health slowly failed and he made a subsistence
livelihood vending sandwiches and pies on the streets and at the L&N
Depot. He suffered a severe stroke on March 1, 1936, at Gulf Hills,
the day after his son’s wedding and expired on the same day at his
home. Chris Buehler’s corporal remains were interred in the Bellande Cemetery under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church.(The
Jackson County Times, March 7, 1936, p. 3)
Louise Emma H.C. Buehler expired on April 28, 1965
at Biloxi. She resided at 102 Sherwood Circle in Ocean Springs.
Mrs. Buehler rests eternally by her husband in the Bellande Cemetery
on Dewey Avenue at Ocean Springs.(The Daily Herald, April 29,
1965, p. 2)
Anne
Costley Verner
Anne C. Verner was born on November 4, 1901, at New Orleans. She
married Thomas Eugene Verner (1898-1989), of Memphis, Tennessee.
Thomas had come to the Gulf Coast as his brother resided in
Biloxi. He found work in Ocean Springs driving a taxi from the L&N
Depot for J.J. “Ben” O’Keefe II (1894-1954).( Walterene V. Redding,
April 4, 2002)
Thomas and Anne Costley Verner were the parents of: Laura Louise
Verner (1922-1960), Walterene “Sis” Verner Redding (1923-2005), the spouse
of Oliver Osborn Redding (1904-1982), Eugene J. Verner (1924-1924),
and Frank L. Verner (b. 1927). Mrs. Verner worked as the manager of
the United Poultry Producers after the retirement of Henry L. Girot
(1886-1953) and at Gus Stevens Restaurant in Biloxi. She worshiped
at the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs, and was a member
of the Eastern Star and kings daughters Charity Organization. She
expired on May 5, 1990 and her corporal remains interred in the
Bellande Cemetery.(The Sun Herald, May 6, 1990, p. B-2)
Frank C. Buehler
Frank
C. Buehler (1909-1985) was in the first graduation class of the 1927
Ocean Springs Public School, which received their diplomas on May
31, 1928. Although two others students in the 1928 graduation class
had the same scholastic average as Frank C. Beuhler, he was named
Valedictorian of the class since he had a better attendance record.
Local jeweler, Phil N. Kreutz (1869-1934), donated two gold medals
to the public school. One was awarded to Beuhler as Valedictorian
and the other to Catherine Carver, a third grader, for her perfect
attendance record. Buehler went on to Perkinston Junior College to
further his formal education.(The Jackson County Times, May 26,
1928, p. 2 and March 7, 1936, p. 3)
On February 29, 1936, Frank married Naomi Earle Watson (1915-1980),
a native of Wade, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Mrs. and
Mrs. Henry C. Watson, of Tallahassee, Florida. Naomi was a graduate
of the Florida State College for Women. Their nuptial ceremony was
held in the Buehler home on Cox Avenue, with the Reverend A.B. Barry
of the Methodist Church in attendance.(The Daily Herald, March 3,
1936, p. 3 and The Jackson County Times, March 7, 1936, p. 3)
During WW II, Frank C. Buehler served in the European Theater being
honorably discharged in 1945, as a Captain. He served in the local
Army National Guard as well. Naomi Earle Watson Buehler was also a
WW II veteran having been a Naval pharmacist’s mate third class.
The Buehlers had a jewelry store on Washington Avenue for about
thirty years. They worshiped at St. Paul’s United Methodist
Church. Naomi expired in Ocean Springs on May 14, 1980. Frank
married Ethel Marion Beuhler after her demise. He died on June 25,
1985. Frank and Naomi W. Buehler’s remains were laid to rest in the
Bellande Cemetery on Dewey Avenue.(The Daily Herald, May 15,
1980, p. A-2 and June 27, 1985, p. A-2)
Beuhler’s Watch and
Jewelry Shop
In mid-November 1950, Frank and Naomi Buehler commenced
their watch repair and jewelry business at 116 Washington Avenue,
now 626 Washington Avenue. He offered a wide range of services:
clock and watch repair; watch band and bracelet repair; restringing
of beads and pearls; ring sizing; diamond and jewelry cleaning; and
evaluation of the condition of mounted settings. In preparation for
this career, Mr. Buehler attended the Scientific School of Watch
Making at Glendale, California for two years, graduating in January
1950. Simultaneously, Mrs. Buehler enrolled in the Glendale
Secretarial College, where she studied stenography and
salesmanship. Her responsibility in their enterprise was giftware
and wrapping.(The Gulf Coast Times, November 17, 1950, p. 1)
As the business was a success, Frank C. Buehler and
spouse acquired the lot and building that they been renting from
Mrs. M.L. Rutherford in August 1952. The parcel had a front of
thirty-five feet on Washington and ran 200 feet deep.(JXCO, Ms.
Land Deed Bk. 126, pp. 313-314)
Ocean Springs Bakery
In January 1953, Frank C. Buehler began vending fresh
rolls, donuts, cookies, pastries, pies, cakes, and bread from his
Washington Avenue business. The bakery goods were made by the
Quality Bakery in North Biloxi, now D’Iberville.(January 29,
1953, p. 1)
At post-retirement age and with his life partner gone,
Frank C. Beuhler sold his building on Washington Avenue to Frank L.
Verner and spouse. The small structure today is owned by the Moran
family and has housed many small businesses this decade. Among them
have been: Moo-licious,; Hot-doggin’ It, the predecessor of
Salvetti’s; The Orient Express; Dee Ann’s Delight; The Very Thing;
and Salon Boudreau.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 740 , p. 660)
Hattie V.
Colligan
On August 10, 1910, John Frederick Hoffman III (1886-1967) married
Hattie V. Colligan (1889-1958), the daughter of James
Colligan (1855-1905) and Ellen Bird (1860-1926), in the Episcopal
Church at Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Their children were: James F.
“Boots” Hoffman (1912-1937) and Margaret H. Fillingim (1916-1966),
the wife of W.E. Filligim Jr.(JXCO, Ms. MRB 9, p. 224)
Marie E. Hoffman
Marie
Elizabeth H. Fayard was born May 12, 1884 at New Orleans. She
married John Alex Fayard (1887-1958), the son of Leonard Fayard and
Martha Westbrook. Their children were: Edna F. Rogers (1908-1937)
married David S. Rogers (1908-1988), John Lawton Fayard (1911-1929),
Nellie Mae F. Gavins (1912-1985) married Leonard E. Gavins
(1911-2000), John Alex Fayard, Jr. (1914-1915), Gladys F. Harris (b.
1917) married James Claude “Shorty” Harris (1918-1986), Marie Louise
Fayard (1920-1921), Charles Alex Fayard (b. 1925), and James L.
Fayard (1926-1990). Mrs. Fayard was a Methodist and member of the
Tourist Club.(The Daily Herald, December 17, 1951, p. 8)
The
Fayard family initially resided on Desoto Street near Cox Avenue,
which was near Mrs. Fayard’s relatives, the Hoffmans and Beuhlers.
It was here in the family home in August 1929, that John Lawton
Fayard was killed by a bolt of lightning. Young Lawton was in the
bathroom washing his hands when he was struck. He was employed with
Dale Motors, Inc.(The Jackson County Times, August 17, 1929, p. 1
and Charles Fayard, March 30. 2002)
Mrs.
Fayard operated an eatery, The Ocean Springs Café, at several
locations. It was originally situated in the Schmidt building on
the northeast corner of Washington and Desoto. She moved to a
location near the Eglin House on Washington, then to Government,
near the Ocean Springs Public School.(Charles Fayard, March 30,
2002)
John
A. Fayard resided with his family on Government Street. He made his
livelihood as a painter and interior decorator, as well as a
building contractor. His spouse preceded his in death, expiring
December 17, 1951. Mr. Fayard died on September 15, 1958. Both
were interred in the Bellande Cemetery on Dewey Avenue at Ocean
Springs.(The Daily Herald, September 15, 1958, p. 2)
John F. Hoffman III
John Frederick Hoffman III (1886-1967) was born at New
Orleans. After his father’s death in 1906, John Frederick Hoffman
III and Charles W. Hoffman lived with their grandmother, Marie L.
Buttner, on the southeast corner of Washington Avenue and
Iberville. Circa 1919, he found employment with the L&N Railroad at
Biloxi as an abstract clerk. In April 1926, Mr. Hoffman was
promoted to Cashier in the Biloxi office of the L&N and eventually
became the local freight agent. John Hoffman was an active member
in Ocean Springs Fire Company No. 1, the Woodmen of the World, and
other fraternal organizations.(The Jackson County Times, January
12, 1918, p. 5 and April 17, 1926, p. 1)
Hattie V.
Colligan
On August 10, 1910, John Frederick Hoffman III (1886-1967) married
Hattie V. Colligan (1889-1958), the daughter of James
Colligan (1855-1905) and Ellen Bird (1860-1926), in the Episcopal
Church at Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Their children were: James F.
“Boots” Hoffman (1912-1937) and Margaret H. Fillingim (1916-1966),
the wife of W.E. Fillingim Jr.(JXCO, Ms. MRB 9, p. 224)
Hattie
C. Hoffman was an Ocean Springs native. Her father, James R.
Colligan made his living initially working as a farmer with his
father and then later as a carpenter. In 1900, he was employed on
the bridge gang for the L&N Railroad. James and Ellen Colligan's
children were: James H. Colligan (1888-1951), Hattie V. Hoffman
(1889-1958), Mae C. Ryan (1892-1966), Nancy C. Bertuccini
(1894-1984), Ellen C. McKay (1896-1951+), Jasper Colligan
(1899-1951+), and Jessie C. Illing (1903-1972). The Colligans
resided on the west side of Cox Avenue.
Politics
John F. Hoffman III entered the political arena at Ocean
Springs in January 1918. He sought the position of alderman
representing Ward II. John lost the election to Theodore Bechtel
(1863-1931), but was elected to that office in 1931 and 1933,
serving two terms.(The Jackson County Times, January 26, 1918, p.
5 and Schmidt, 1972, pp. 135-136)
In the summer of 1948, the Hoffmans took a vacation to the eastern
seaboard and Canada. Their itinerary included New York City,
Niagara Falls, Chicago, and Cincinnati. John F. Hoffman III became
ill in Canada, which necessitated their return to Ocean Springs in
late August.(The Daily Herald, August 19, 1948, p. 5)
Charles W. Hoffman
Charles Wesley Hoffman (1889-1972) was born at New
Orleans on January 29, 1889. On September 27, 1911, in the Buttner
home on Washington Avenue, he married Patty Jessie Lightsey
(1881-1982), the daughter of Richard Lightsey and Alice Pilliam (Pilham)
L. Mechain (1870-1934). The Reverend L.A. Darsey of the Methodist
Church performed their nuptials. At this time, Mr. Hoffman was
employed with the construction gang of the L&N Railroad. Prior to
this, he had driven a grocery wagon for one of the town’s
merchants.(JXCO, Ms. MRB 9, p. 340 and The Ocean Springs News,
September 30, 1911 and 1910 Federal Census, JXCO, Ms.)
Pattie Jessie Lightsey (1887-1982) was born at Hampton,
South Carolina. After her father passed, Alice P. Lightsey, her
mother, married Adrian P. Mechain (1869-1948), a truck farmer and
native of France. Monsieur Mechain was the brother of Adelaide M.
Basly (1871-1949). Pattie’s siblings were Annie L. Duvernay
(1891-1938), the spouse of Walter James Duvernay (1891-1955), and,
Jack Lightsey (1891-1944). Jack served in France during WWI, where
he was wounded and gassed. At Ocean Springs, he owned a building
supply business.(The Jackson County Times, March 11, 1944, p. 1)
While with the L&N Railroad, Mr. Hoffman worked on the crew that
built the Rigolets railroad bridge. He later was a self-employed
carpenter and general contractor.(Charles Fayard, March 30, 2002)
Charles and Patty L. Hoffman resided at 705 Cox Avenue. Their two
daughters were: Jessie H. Williams (1912-1989), the wife of Stanford
Williams (1911-1985), and Pauline H. McCarty Cook (1914-2001), the
spouse of James E. McCarty (1916-1989) and Colonel John Carter Cook
(1913-1999), of Ocean Springs, and the widower of Vera A. Wulff
(1906-1992). The corporal remains of Charles and
Patty Hoffman were interred at Evergreen Cemetery.(The Ocean
Springs Record, April 6, 1972, p. 6)
Jessie Hoffman married Stanford A. Williams Sr.
(1911-1985). Their children were: Jean W. Parker, Mary W.
Schmedicke, Stanford A. Williams Jr., Donald Williams, and James
Williams. Stanford A. Williams Sr. was employed at Ingalls
Shipbuilding. He was a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Ocean
Springs. Stanford expired on January 13, 1985. Jessie followed him
in death and died in July 1989. They rest in the Crestlawn Memorial
Park Cemetery in Ocean Springs.(The Ocean Springs Record,
February 7, 1985, p. 3)
Pauline Hoffman married James E. “Jerry”
McCarty (1916-1989), a native of Stringer, Jasper County,
Mississippi, was born August 22, 1916. Jerry arrived at Ocean
Springs in 1937. He served in the US Army during WW II from
1943-1946. Mr. McCarty made his livelihood as a civilian deputy
finance officer at KAFB in Biloxi. He was active in the First
Baptist Church in Ocean Springs where he was a deacon, Sunday school
director, and teacher. Jerry expired at Ocean Springs, Mississippi
on November 15, 1989. (The Sun Herald, November 16, 1989, p. C-2)
During WW II, Pauline H. McCarty was employed with the USO-Travelers
Aid Unit at Biloxi as secretary. She later made her livelihood as a
court reporter for the Judge Advocate’s staff at KAFB. Pauline
commenced her Civil Service career at KAFB, in
January 1947, as a clerk-steno in the office of the Staff Judge
Advocate. In March 1947, she was made a court reporter. Mrs.
McCarty received a Superior performance rating in 1970. She retired
in 1972, after twenty-five years of civil service. After Jerry’s
demise in November 1989, Pauline married John Carter Cook
(1913-1999), a retired U.S. Army Colonel and the widower of Vera
“Skees” Wulff Cook (1906-1992). All were interred in the Crestlawn
Memorial Park Cemetery.(The Daily Herald, July 6, 1972, p. 6 and
The Sun Herald, September 7, 2001, p. A-9)
REFERENCES:
C.E.
Schmidt, Ocean Springs French Beachhead, (Lewis
Printing Services: Pascagoula, Mississippi-1972)
Chancery Court Causes
Jackson
County, Mississippi Chancery Court Cause No. 3185, “John
Hoffman et al v. Herman Buttner”, November 1912.
Journals
The
Biloxi Daily Herald, “Mississippi”, February 14, 1906.
The
Daily Herald, “Christian Buehler Dies”, March 2, 1936.
The
Daily Herald, “Buehler-Watson”, March 3, 1936.
The
Daily Herald, “Pistol Is Found In Lunch Room”, March 18,
1937.
The
Daily Herald, “Ocean Springs News Paragraphs”, August 19,
1948.
The
Daily Herald, Mrs. Fayard Dies”, December 17, 1951.
The
Daily Herald, “John Alex Fayard”, September 15, 1958.
The
Daily Herald, “Mrs. Hattie Hoffman”, March 12, 1958.
The
Daily Herald, “Ocean Springs Nurse Dies of Gunshot Wounds”,
February 26, 1960.
The
Daily Herald, “Mrs. Louise Buehler”, April 29, 1965.
The
Daily Herald, “Naomie W. Buehler”, May 15, 1980.
The
Daily Herald, “Frank Buehler”, June 27, 1985.
The
Gulf Coast Times, “Watch Shop Opened By Frank C. Buehler”,
November 17, 1950.
The
Gulf Coast Times, “Frank Buehler Opens New Bakery Here”,
January 29, 1953.
The
Jackson County Times, “John Hoffman Is A Candidate For
Alderman”, January 26, 1918.
The
Jackson County Times, “John Hoffman Receives Promotion On
L&N”, April 17, 1926.
The
Jackson County Times, “Williams-Hoffman”, October 19,
1932.
The
Jackson County Times, “Christian Buehler”, March 7, 1936.
The
Jackson County Times, “Buehler-Watson”, March 7, 1936.
The
Jackson County Times, “Lawton Fayard, 18, Killed By
Lightning”, August 17, 1929.
The
Jackson County Times, “Jack Lightsey”, March 11, 1944.
The
Ocean Springs News, “Hoffman-Lightsey”, September 30,
1911.
The
Ocean Springs Record, “Charles Hoffman”, April 6, 1972.
The
Ocean Springs Record, “Court Reporter Retires”, July 6,
1972.
The
Ocean Springs Record, “Mrs. Patty Hoffman”, January 21,
1982.
The
Ocean Springs Record, “Stanford A. Williams Sr.”,
February 7, 1985.
The
Ocean Springs Record, “Nellie Mae Gavins”, December 26,
1985.
The
Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”,
February 16, 1906.
The
Sun Herald, “Mrs. Jessie Williams”, July 12, 1989.
The
Sun Herald, “James ‘Jerry’ McCarty”, November 16, 1989.
The
Sun Herald, “Mrs. Anne C. Verner”, May 6, 1990.
Personal Communication:
Charles
Fayard, March 30, 2002.
Walterene “Sis” Redding, April 4, 2002.
Ray L.
Bellande
PO BOX
617
Ocean
Springs
Mississippi 39566-0617
(228)
872-3880
rbell@datasync.com
|
By
Ray L. Bellande
.jpg)
