California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


WILLIAM HOFFKNECHT. This well known farmer and stockman of the British colony, in Merced 
county, which has been his home for the past ten years, furnishes a good example of what a 
man may do by his own efforts when he has the brains and energy to improve his opportunity. 
Born in Westphalia, Germany, December 7, 1866, a son of Frederick and Lovina (Lindwick) 
Hoffknecht. William Hoffknecht was reared and educated in his native land. His father, a farmer 
by occupation, died at the age of sixty-three years, and at the age of sixteen William sailed for 
the United States. The year following his arrival in this country, he came to Sacramento county, 
Cal, where he had an uncle who kept a store, and for nine months he found employment in this 
store. He then went into partnership with a brother in the stock business and the partnership 
then formed lasted for twelve years, which was a prosperous period for both. 

In 1894 Mr. Hoffknecht came to Merced county and purchased the farm upon which he resides, 
located five miles west of Merced. Upon this farm, which contains fifty acres of fine land, he 
has forty acres devoted to alfalfa, the balance of his land being devoted to pasturage, upon 
which he raises a large number of hogs, realizing from the sale of the latter from $400 to $500 
per year, and he also keeps about twenty-five fine dairy cows, which yield him a fair income. 
His place is well kept and contains a convenient and comfortable residence. In addition to his 
home place, Mr. Hoffknecht bought one hundred and eighty acres, and this farm furnishes 
pasturage for about one hundred head of cattle. 

Mr. Hoffknecht was joined in matrimony with Miss Lillian Altnow, who was born in Minnesota, 
and accompanied her parents to Oregon when young. Her parents were prominent and well-
to-do people, and they subsequently came to California. They have three children, Louisa, 
Frank and Gussie. Politically a Democrat of strong convictions, Mr. Hoffknecht is not an active 
politician. He is broad-minded, public-spirited, and one who willingly assists in any movement 
calculated to benefit his county.