Person in this family

George Hoffman

This entry is about George Hoffman (11 November 1845 – 5 February 1915). For other family members with the same first and family name, see George Hoffman (Born about 1913; death not recorded), George J. Hoffman (29 June 1885 – 23 October 1937 (compiled)).

11 November 1845 – 5 February 1915

German-born husband of “Rosa” and head of the Bayonne Hoffman household; the census calls him “Stillman Oil Refinery.” George spent decades as a stillman in Bayonne’s oil industry and remained at 36 West 23rd Street from the 1900 census through his 1915 funeral entry.

Proved by a record

George Hoffman (reported born 11 November 1845; died 5 February 1915) was a German immigrant and Bayonne oil-refinery stillman.

Born at Germany Died at Bayonne, New Jersey, United States

Birth: From our family tree - no record found yet

How is this person related?

Show the relationship to

Andrew John Leahey’s great-great-grandparent

Worked out from the recorded parents and marriages. No sex is recorded for anyone in this archive, so the wording stays neutral.

How this person is related to Andrew:
George Hoffman is your 2× great-grandparent.

Life

George Hoffman’s FamilySearch profile gives birth on 11 November 1845 in Germany and death on 5 February 1915 in Bayonne. The exact birth date remains a tree-level claim and conflicts with the 1900 census and funeral age, which point to about November 1846; no German birth record supplied here resolves it. The 1900 census says that he immigrated in 1880; his 1915 funeral entry similarly calls him a 35-year resident of New Jersey. Neither record gives a more precise German birthplace.

A New Jersey index now documents that 36-year-old Geo. Hoffman married 20-year-old Rosine Antretner at Bayonne on 4 October 1881. Its image is unavailable and no parents are indexed. Her surname later appears in their children’s baptisms as Andredes, Antreter, and Andretner. The 1900 census recorded the couple as married for 18 years. Baptismal records name them as the parents of George, born in 1885; Rosa, born in 1887; and Mary, born in 1889. The census says that Rosa had borne nine children and that all nine were living.

On 5 June 1900, the family lived at 36 West 23rd Street in Bayonne in a house they owned with a mortgage. George was 53 and worked as a "Stillman Oil Refinery." A stillman tended and controlled industrial stills. The census also recorded that he had experienced no unemployment during the preceding year and could read, write, and speak English.

The 1912 Sanborn map, sheet 50 (external address omitted for offline reading) labels "W. 23RD ST.", lot "36", and a yellow house marked "2½" and "D". The Library of Congress key identifies this as a two-and-a-half-storey wooden dwelling. A relative can now picture the actual small house George and Rosa owned with a mortgage, rather than only read its address.

A funeral-book entry dated 5 February 1915 still placed him at 36 West 23rd Street. It reads: "Aged 69y,2m, Born Germany, 35y resident of state, Married, Occupation stillman." The transcription warns that some dates in the book may be burial rather than death dates. A separate Bayonne Times index confirms that a death notice for George Hoffman appeared in 1915.

Later that year, newspaper reports described what the family’s street endured during the Standard Oil strike. One called Twenty-third Street "the heart of the strike zone" and said guards’ fire made a thirty-foot strip "‘No-Man’s Land.’" Another reported strikers killed near the plant. George’s funeral entry predates those July reports, and no Hoffman is named in either article. The reports establish context for the street of the Hoffman home only: they do not show that George, Rosa, or any child was a striker, a victim, a witness, or a participant.

The funeral record lists both parents only as "unknown/Germany." An unsourced FamilySearch tree names Adam Hoffman and Friedericke Schwarz; those names remain provisional leads, not established parents. His exact German birthplace and birth date remain unresolved.

How we know this: The marriage index, census, church, funeral and notice-index records document George’s Bayonne life. The exact 1845 birth date and parents Adam Hoffman and Friedericke Schwarz remain tree-level leads. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]

Photographs

Nobody in this picture has been identifiedA Standard Oil of New Jersey works fire department badge, number 44, Bayonne Works, with the photographic identity badge that went with it
The metal badge reads S. O. CO. OF N. J. — FIRE DEPT. — 44 — BAYONNE WORKS: the works fire brigade of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey refinery at Bayonne, where this family worked for three generations. The round badge above it carries the holder's photograph and the same number. The young man in it has not been identified. George Hoffman was a stillman at the refinery in 1900 and his sons were labourers there; Patrick Gorman spent his working life with the same company and retired from it in 1938. The badge belongs to the family, but which man wore it is not recorded. Anyone who knows the face would settle it.
Family photograph, supplied 2025

Death and burial

Evidence distinction: [RECORD] means text read from the photographed stone. [COMPILED] means volunteer-typed memorial information and is only a lead.

Find a Grave memorial 198256117

Why this memorial is attached

Matched by exact birth and death dates, spouse Rose Antretner, and the photographed family monument. Find a Grave memorial 198256117 (findagrave.com).

11 Nov 1845 | 5 Feb 1915 | Spouse Rose Antretner Hoffman 1862–1929

[COMPILED] Volunteer-typed memorial fields

These fields are leads, not civil or church records, and do not replace documented dates. Find a Grave memorial 198256117 (findagrave.com).

Name: George Hoffman Birth: 11 Nov 1845 Death: 5 Feb 1915 (aged 69) Cemetery: Holy Name Cemetery and Mausoleum, Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, USA Plot: C 1061 Family links: Spouse: Rose Antretner Hoffman 1862–1929 (m. 1881). Children: Louis Henry Hoffman 1884–1944; Mary Hoffman Dyas 1889–1971; Catherine ‘Katie’ Hoffman McCarthy 1891–1932; Minnie Hoffman Sheran 1892–1910; Florence Margaret Hoffman McCaffrey 1895–1951.

Photograph status: a photographed inscription is available and shown below. Find a Grave memorial 198256117 (findagrave.com).

[RECORD] Photographed inscription, transcribed verbatim

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF MINNIE HOFFMAN BELOVED WIFE OF JAMES SHERAN BORN NOV. 8, 1882 DIED NOV. 30, 1910 VIOLA HOFFMAN BORN APRIL 6, 1904 DIED JUNE 15, 1906 GEORGE HOFFMAN BORN NOV. 11, 1845 DIED FEB. 5, 1915 ROSE HOFFMAN DIED NOV.
Show the full recordHide the full recordFull record, about 50 words
26, 1929

Citation: Find a Grave memorial 198256117 (findagrave.com); monument photograph credited below.

Cemetery photograph from Find a Grave memorial 198256117 — Photograph by Elizablack. Copyright remains with the photographer. From Find a Grave memorial 198256117 (findagrave.com).

Family

Spouse

Rosa Antreter

Children

See this family in the family tree

Work and occupation

stillman — 1900

Where they lived

Use the place list first. The map below is optional.

Places listed on this page

Germany
Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey
Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York
Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City Cemetery or burial place
England
Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey Cemetery or burial place
Bayonne, Hudson County, New Jersey
New Jersey
United States

The map could not load. The complete place list is above it.

The pins show approximate places. The line only joins them in time order; it does not prove the route travelled. 4 of the places listed above are recorded only as a county or country, so they are not pinned. Cemetery and burial places have red pins.

Timeline

11 November 1845

Born (tree lead)

FamilySearch date; no underlying birth record supplied here. [10]

From our family tree - no record found yet

November 1846

Born

The 1900 census records George Hoffman as born in November 1846 in Germany. [5]

Proved by a record

1880

Immigration

The 1900 census records his immigration year as 1880. [5]

Proved by a record

4 October 1881

Married Rosine Antretner

Bayonne index; image unavailable and no parents indexed. [9]

Proved by a record

4 October 1881

Married Rosine Antretner at Bayonne

New Jersey marriage return. The 1900 census says they had then been married twenty years and that he arrived in 1880 — he came and married within about a year.

Proved by a record

5 June 1900

1900 census

At 36 West 23rd Street in Bayonne, George was recorded as a 53-year-old oil-refinery stillman, married for 18 years, and owner of a mortgaged house. [5]

Proved by a record

1900

Bayonne Ward 2, nine children at home

Sheet 9B, household 174. Minnie 18, George 15, Louis 15, Rose 13, Mary 10, Katie 9, Florence 8, John 6 — and Frank, entered as **0 days old**. Nine children under one roof, the youngest born the week the census called. This archive had recorded three.

Proved by a record

5 February 1915

Funeral-book entry

The Dempsey entry dated 5 February 1915 records George at 36 West 23rd Street, aged 69 years 2 months, born in Germany, married, and working as a stillman; the book cautions that some dates may be burial rather than death dates. [1]

Proved by a record

1915

Died

The Bayonne Times death-notice index lists George Hoffman in 1915. [6]

Proved by a record

23 July 1915

The household street during the Standard Oil strike

Months after George’s funeral entry, newspaper coverage called Twenty-third Street “the heart of the strike zone” and a strip under guards’ rifle fire “No-Man’s Land.” This is context for the street of the Hoffman family home at 36 West 23rd Street. No Hoffman is named, and the reports do not show that George or anyone in his household was a striker, victim, witness, or participant. [7]

Proved by a record

5 February 1915

Photographed monument

The photographed family monument gives George Hoffman’s exact birth and death dates. [11]

Proved by a record

Original records

1900 U.S. census, George Hoffman household, Bayonne, sheet 10A
A census is a government list of the people who were living in a home. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
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Original source (archive.org)

1900 U.S. census, George Hoffman household, Bayonne, sheet 9B
A census is a government list of the people who were living in a home. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
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Original source (archive.org)

1910 U.S. census, Bayonne ED 11, image 355
A census is a government list of the people who were living in a home. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
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Original source (archive.org)

1910 U.S. census, Bayonne ED 11, image 356
A census is a government list of the people who were living in a home. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
Open the larger document
Original source (archive.org)

1910 U.S. census, Bayonne ED 11, image 357
A census is a government list of the people who were living in a home. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
Open the larger document
Original source (archive.org)

1910 U.S. census, Bayonne ED 11, sheet 7B
A census is a government list of the people who were living in a home. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
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1910 U.S. census, Bayonne ED 11, sheet 8A
A census is a government list of the people who were living in a home. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
Open the larger document
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1920 U.S. census Soundex card, George J. Hoffman household, Bayonne
A census is a government list of the people who were living in a home. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
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1920 U.S. census Soundex continuation card, George J. Hoffman household
A census is a government list of the people who were living in a home. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
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St. Mary Star of the Sea baptism register, George Hoffman, 1885
This is an entry in a church book, often naming a child, parents, and godparents. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
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Machine-read text (may contain errors) · Good machine reading
**Automated reading aid only.** The human-verified quotations elsewhere in the archive remain authoritative.
No. Name of Date and Date of Father’s Sponsors Priest Marriage, Person Place of Baptism Name etc. Baptized Birth Mother’s Maiden Name 145 James Sept 3 – July 12 – Anthony Joseph Kriek A.M. Joseph 1884 1885 Josephine Pauline Egan Katz Huphsteter Müller 146 George July 10 – July 12 – Matthew Timothy “ Hogan 1885 1885 Theresa Hogan Nugent Anna Clark 147 Joseph June 16 - July 12 – James James “ Cert. Francis 1885 1885 Cath. Sharkey supplied Morgan Sharkey Catherine Sharkey 148 Agnes June 29 – July 12 – William William “ Highland 1885 1885 Mary Kirby Keating Eliza O’Brien 149 Mary July 5 – July 12 – John William “ Sumstein 1885 1885 Mary Hogan Hogan Mary Honan 150 Henry July 10 – July 19 – Sylvester Francis “ Married Long 1885 1885 Susan McNeirney Mary Haverty Cath. Nutley Haverty Feb 23 – 1926 in St. Henry’s P. Egan 151 Francis July 10 – July 19 – Francis Charles “ Kellett 1885 1885 Catherine Kellett Sheridan Margaret Sheridan 152 George June 29 – July 19 – George George “ Hoffman 1885 1885 Rose Weckensen Andredes Cartina Weckensen 153 Fannie July 14 – July 19 – John John Duane “ Welsh 1885 1885 Anna Cath. Griffith Kavanagh 154 Margaret July 1 - July 19 - Thomas John Hesson “ Herbert 1885 1885 Cath. Norah Connolly Murphy

St. Mary Star of the Sea baptism register, Mary Hoffman, 1889
This is an entry in a church book, often naming a child, parents, and godparents. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
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Original source (hudsoncountynjgenealogy.org)
Machine-read text (may contain errors) · Good machine reading
**Automated reading aid only.** The human-verified quotations elsewhere in the archive remain authoritative.
No.49 Name of Date Date of Father’s Sponsors Priest Record of Person and Baptism Name Marriage, Baptized Place Mother’s etc. of Maiden Birth Name 118 Dennis Apr May 5 - Daniel Samuel A. Kelly 28 - 1889 Mary Berry Egan 1889 Berry Julia Berry 119 George Apr May 5- John John " Ray 23 - 1889 Mary Benson 1889 Mulligan Mary Benson 120 Mary Apr May 5- Thomas Thomas " Whelan 28 - 1889 Catherine Doyle 1889 Desmond Cath. Whelan 121 Anna Apr May 5 - James Owen " Mulligan 22 - 1889 Theresa Sharkey 1889 Sweeney Anna Mulligan 122 Mary Apr May 5 - William Thos. " Married Herbert 18 - 1889 Mary Givins to Philip 1889 Keefe Mary Oleck – Towne Aug. 25 – 1909 in Fleming ton, N.J. F Gray O.S.B. 123 Mary Apr May 5 - George Theo. " Hoffman 13 - 1889 Rose Horoster 1889 Andretner Mary Horoster 124 Mary Apr May 5 - Patrick Bernard " Cath. 29 - 1889 Bridget Tormey Sheridan 1889 Tormey Mary Reilly 125 Mary May May 5 - James Mich. " Cosgrove 3- 1889 Bridget Cosgrove 1889 Pyle Helen Pyle 126 Henry May May Henry Patk. " Groves 4- 12- Ellen O’Brien 1889 1889 O’Brien Cath. Haggerty Bridget John May 12 McDonal McCabe 127 John Apr - 1889 d Ellen " Burke 13 - McDonald 1889

St. Mary Star of the Sea baptism register, Rosa Hoffman, 1887
This is an entry in a church book, often naming a child, parents, and godparents. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
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Original source (hudsoncountynjgenealogy.org)
Machine-read text (may contain errors) · Good machine reading
**Automated reading aid only.** The human-verified quotations elsewhere in the archive remain authoritative.
No. 89 Name of Date and Date of Father’s Sponsors Priest Marriage, Person Place of Baptism Name etc. Baptized Birth Mother’s Maiden Name 139 Mary Jane June 9 – June 15 – Richard John Kenny A.M. Egan Creech 1887 1887 Cath. Henry Anastasia Pomfrey 140 Catherine May 25 – June 18 – John George : Martin 1887 1887 Cath. McLaran Mainough Mary Martin 141 John Kenah June 8 – June 19 – Thomas Patrick “ 1887 1887 Mary Goodwin Goodwin Jennie Goodwin 142 Charles May 21 – June 19 – Joseph Charles “ Harmek 1887 1887 Anna Busko Havilla Emilia Busko 143 Mary June 9 – June 19 – Patrick James “ Tierney 1887 1887 Carberry Mary Casley 144 Mary June 12 – June 19 – James Joseph “ Downey 1887 1887 Fannie Kelly Hogan Bridget Clark 145 Jane June 9 – June 19 – Joseph James “ Sullivan 1887 1887 Cath. Sullivan Armstrong Anna Flynn 146 Michael June 16 – June 19 – Jeremiah Matthew “ Lynch 1887 1887 Marg’t Healey Callaghan Mary Callaghan 147 Mary June 13 – June 19 – Hugo Anthony “ McGiehan 1887 1887 Anna O’Donnell Sharkey Bridget O’Donnell 148 Rosa May 11 - June 19 - George Adam Engel “ Hoffman 1887 1887 Rosa Rosina Antreter Engel

St. Mary Star of the Sea baptism register, Rose Weckesser, 1887
This is an entry in a church book, often naming a child, parents, and godparents. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
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Original source (hudsoncountynjgenealogy.org)
Machine-read text (may contain errors) · Good machine reading
**Automated reading aid only.** The human-verified quotations elsewhere in the archive remain authoritative.
No. 100 Name of Date and Date of Father’s Sponsors Priest Marriage, Person Place of Baptism Name etc. Baptized Birth Mother’s Maiden Name 249 Bridget Oct 11 – Oct 16 – Cornelius Michael A. Egan Gallagher 1887 1887 Rose Bonner Boyle Helen Ward 250 Hanah Sept 18 – Oct 16 – Thomas William “ Cooney 1887 1887 Mary Foley Corbett Mary Crowley 251 Winefrid Sept 25 – Oct 16 – William Patk. “ Healey 1887 1887 Winefrid Connolly Kennedy Anna Kennedy 252 John Sept 21 – Oct 16 – Felix John Ossino “ Cordano 1887 1887 Mary Theresa Cardella Gardella 253 Anna Oct 17 – Oct 17 – Michael Patrick T. Killeen Reehill 1887 1887 Bridget Somers McCabe Margaret McCabe 254 Mary Boyle Oct 16 – Oct 18 – Owen Owen A. Egan 1887 1887 Anna Boyle Boyle Cath. Robertson 255 Joseph Oct 19 – Oct 23 – John Joseph “ Foerst 1887 1887 Cunnigunda Foerst Smith Margaret Foerst 256 Frederick Oct 19 – Oct 23 – John Frederick “ Foerst 1887 1887 Cunnigunda Foerst Smith Margaret Levin (?) 257 Rose Oct 10 – Oct 23 – George George “ Weckesser 1887 1887 Cath. Hoffman Elnstretter Rose Hoffman 258 Sabina Oct 18 - Oct 23 - Jacob Francis “ Purcell 1887 1887 Mary Barret Muldoon Cath. Flanigan

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George Hoffman memorial with grave photograph

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Find a Grave sweep: target burials without an exact photographed match

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FamilySearch World War I draft-card image search

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FamilySearch World War II draft-card image search

This old record gives information about the person or family named here. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.

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1880 Castor manifest image candidate rejected and currently blocked

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Ellis Island passenger search for George Hoffman and Rosa Antreter

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Hudson County Court of Common Pleas naturalization search

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1900 Bayonne census, Hoffman household, sheet 9B
A census is a government list of the people who were living in a home. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
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Original source (archive.org)

1900 Bayonne census, Hoffman household continuation, sheet 10A
A census is a government list of the people who were living in a home. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.
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Original source (archive.org)

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1900 Bayonne census, Hoffman household beginning, sheet 9B

A census is a government list of the people who were living in a home. It matters on this page because it records information connected with George Hoffman.

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Original source (archive.org)

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Standard Oil strikers throwing bricks at Bayonne police, circa 1915

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1912 Sanborn map: 36 West 23rd Street, Bayonne
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What the records say

13 records transcribed.

Record exhibit