POWELL HOFF (1801-70)

HOFF, BREWSTER

Posted By: JOHN SCOTT HOFF (email)
Date: 5/16/2004 at 15:37:34

POWELL HOFF (Biographical data entry): Was born in Prince William Co., VA near present-day Manassas, VA in 1801. His parents were JONATHAN/JOHN HOFF (1775 Pr. Wm. Co., VA -1812 Fearon Twp., Washington, Co., OH) and ELIZABETH "Betsy" DUNCAN (1785PA - 1839 Washington Co., OH). in 1805, at age 4, the entire extended Hoff Family, the in-laws from the Dye Family, picked up and moved into the newly opened Ohio State, proceeding from Alexandria, VA and via flatboat down the Ohio River to near the mouth of Cow Run. Powell was married to MARTHA BREWSTER in the home of her parents in Marietta, OH on 25 May 1824. Her father, NATHAN BREWSTER (24 Dec 1758 New Windsor, Orange Co., NY - 21 Mar 1842, Athens OH), who had been a Rev. War Patriot and soldier, receiving "bounty Land" is Ostego Co., NY (apparently in lieu of pay), and Martha was born there in Ostego Co., NY on 28 Jul 1802 to him and wife HANNAH PARKER (1768 CT - 18 Apr 1855 Athens, OH). The mother's father, REUBEN PARKER (30 Jul 1765 of Mansfield, Tolland Co., CT - 5 Aug 1792 Butternut Twp., Ostego Co., NY) had also been a Rev. War soldier, and he, too, took "bounty land" property in Ostego Co., NY. Following their marriage, MARTHA AND POWELL moved to Chesterhill, then in Washington, Co., OH (but the overly large county was later severed ,and Chesterhill is now in Morgan Co.). They had a total of 12 children together, one of which was JOHN H. HOFF (born 1830). All 12 children were: 1) NANCY HOFF BLANCHARD; 2) WILLIAM HOFF; 3) PRUDENCE HOFF; 4) MARIE HOFF ELLIS; 5) AMOS HOFF; 6)SARAH ANN HOFF WEAVER; 7) NATHAN T. HOFF; 8) POWELL DANIEL HOFF; 9)MARTHA HOFF WOOD; 10) NATHANILE B. HOFF; 11) CHARLES P. HOFF and 12) JOHN H. HOFF. In about 1842 they moved to Rochester, IL (near Springfield, IL), where Powell purchased 4,000 acres for $125. He apparently sold off parcels, until in 1853 he purchased new homestead property in Dallas Co., IA, and moved again. Many of his sons moved with him and also purchased farm land nearby in neighboring townships. POWELL HOFF died on 6 May 1870 after 27 years of life in Dallas Co., IA. He was interred in the "Hoff-Prarie Cemetery", located 1 mile west of Grimes, IA on Hwy.40 (south/right side of the road), in a small stand of large pine trees, along with numerous other Hoff family members. Martha followed him on 28 Jan 1892 and is buried next to him, each having a weathered white limestone marker. There is an AMOS HOFF buried there (died 1855), who appears to be his half-uncle, since POWELL's father was the product of the REV. DANIEL HOFF and 2nd spouse, SUSAN SOPHIA MOFFETT, whereas AMOS was begat by DANIEL HOFF and first wife, LAURA TITUS. The family farm was passed to eldest son, WILLIAM H. HOFF.