This is our Hoffman genealogy, tracing back to the Applegate sisters' maternal great-great-great-grandparents John and Margaret Gillman Hoffman, from Germany.

Their son Peter Hoffman and his wife, Margaret Soltong Hoffman, (our great-great-grandparents) had seven children, one of whom was Margaret Hoffman . Margaret Hoffman (1861-1952) married Henry P. Gordon (1844-19??) and they (our great-grandparents) had seven children, one of whom was Julia Ann Gordon. Julia married Vernon Cole Patten and they (our grandparents) had three children, one of whom was Margaret Eliza Patten Applegate, our mother.

PETER HOFFMAN, a farmer of Addison Township (Indiana), was a native of Germany, where he was born June 7, 1826, being the next eldest in a family of six children born to John and Margaret (Gillman) Hoffman, who were also natives of Germany, where they always lived. Our subject grew to manhood in his native country, receiving a common school education. At the age of twenty-seven years, in 1854, he emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Indiana, and first settled in Franklin County, but only remained there about two months, when he came to Shelbyville, living here for a period of ten months, when he removed to the country, but has always resided in Addison township.

In May, 1854, his marriage with Margaret Soltong was solemnized, and to their union seven children were born, these four now living; John, who married Ellen (Worland) Fessenbeck; Margaret, now Mrs. Henry Gordon; Lizzie, widow of William Houston, and Katie. March 16, 1887, Mr. Hoffman suffered the bereavement of losing his beloved wife. His occupation has always been farming, and he has been very successful. He now owns 115 acres of well-improved land. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a Democrat, although in voting for local officials he does not allow party prejudice to control him.

Source: History of Shelby County, 1887 by Brant & Fuller, page 593

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In naturalization records for Shelby County, Indiana:
        Peter Hoffman           Age 29
        Born in Germany         Embarked from Havre de Grace
        Port of Entry-New York  Arrival date-February 1, 1854
        Former Soverign-Ferdinand Fred. King of Hamburg
        Declaration Date-April 2, 1855

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Cemetery Inscriptions, City Cemetery, Shelbyville, IN:
        Peter Hoffmann.................Jun 7, 1826 - Feb 14, 1896
        Margretha Hoffman..............Feb 2, 1827 - May 16, 1887
        Phillip Hoffman................Jan 19,1867 - Oct 23, 1872
        Peter Hoffman..................Nov 21, 1858 - Oct 7, 1871

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Bible Records - Births & Deaths:
        Peter Hoffmann................18 Mar 1855 - 7 Jul 1856
        Johannes Hoffmann..............2 Mar 1857
        Peter Hoffmann................21 Nov 1858 - 7 Oct 1871
        Magareth Hoffmann.............22 Mar 1861
        Elizabeth Hoffmann............10 Oct 1862
        Katherine Hoffmann............19 Nov 1864
        Peter Hoffmann................19 Jan 1867 - 23 Oct 1872

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Marriages, Shelby Co, Indiana:
        Elizabeth Hoffman......William A. Houston.....12 Jan 1882
        Katharine Hoffman......Morgan H. Wells.........7 Jul 1897
        Margaret Hoffman.......Henry Gordon...........20 Oct 1880
        John Hoffman...........Susan Ellen Worland Fessenbeck
                29 Nov 1883

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Marriages, Franklin County, Indiana
        Adam Sottong...........Eva Reddelberger.......18 Nov 1873
        Anna Sottong...........Theodore E. Hoefle.....26 Aug 1884
        Christian S. Sottog....Frances A. Thalheimer..16 Aug 1909
                Christian born Aug 8, 1870
        Eve Sottong............Frederick Sottong......24 Jul 1850
        George C. Sottong......Pearl A. Lyons..........7 Jul 1905
                George born 31 Jul 1880
        Jacob Sottong..........Sarah Kahlenbeck........2 Feb 1886
        John Sottong...........Mary Loher..............8 May 1900
        Joseph Sottong.........Anna Thomas............27 Jun 1894
        Margaret Sottong.......Michael B. Mullen......24 Sep 1901
        Peter Hoffman..........Margaret Sottong.......12 Jun 1854