Edward J. HOFFMAN, who follows farming in Columbia county, concentrating his attention upon the cultivatin and further development of four hundred and twenty-one acres of good land, was born in Walla Walla Washington, on the 22d of February 1883. His father, John HOFFMAN, was one of the early pioneers of Walla Walla and became one of the most progressive and successful agrculturists of southeastern Washington but is now living retired in Walla Walla. He well deserves mention among the representative residents of this section of the state and his record will be found on another page of this work.
Edward J. HOFFMAN was reared upon the old home farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Liberal educational opportunities were accorded him, for after attending the common schools of the neighborhood he benefited by a course in the Empire Business College of Walla Walla. Through the period of vaction prior to this time he had become an active assistant of his father in farm work and after his textbooks were put aside he continued to follow farming in connection with his father until 1910. In that year he was united in marriage to Miss Blanche E. HAFNER, a daughter of Charles G. HAFNER, of Walla Walla, who was one of the early pioneers of Umatilla county, Oregon, settling just across the state line in Oregon upon his arrival in the west. He, too, was identified with farming interests for a long period but is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned rest in Walla Walla.
Following his marriage Edward J. HOFFMAN located on one of his father's farms eight miles northeast of Starbuck and there engaged in the operation of thirty-six hundred acres of land, a part of which was grazing land. He remained upon that ranch for five years, at the end of which time he removed to his present home, which is owned by his father. He farms four hundred and twenty-one acres and is regarded as one of the representative agriculturists of Whiskey creek. He employs the most progressive methods in tilling the soil, practices the rotation of crops and studies everything that has bearing upon the production of the cereals best adapted to climatic conditions here. His labors are being attended with excellent results and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place indicates his careful supervision and practical and progressive methods. He has made the farm one of the attractive features of the landscape-a proof of what may be accomplished along agricultral lines in the district, which at one time was believed to be thoroughly unadapted to farming.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. HOFFMAN has been blessed with four children; John E., Frances P., Bessie D. and Alfred A. In his political views Mr. HOFFMAN is a republican, having given stalwart support to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his business affairs, which are capably and wisely directed. HE is an energetic man and obstacles and difficulties in his path seem to serve but as an impetus for renewed effort on his part. He and his wife are widely and favorably known in this section of the state and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.
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Source: Book: Lymans HISTORY of OLD WALLA WALLA, COLUMBIA, GARFIELD, and Asotin Counties. by. W.D. LYMAN, M.A., Lit.D Illustrated Volume 1 Chicago, The S.J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1918 Pages 513-514