The Lykens Standard chronicled the founding of the Hoffman Family Association in its 1913 editions. The text of the articles follow here:
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From the Lykens Standard, 11 July 1913:
Hoffman Family Re-Union.
As the Hoffman family is quite numerous, it has been suggested and generally approved of by those consulted, to have a reunion of the various tribes of the family, to be held on the Halifax picnic ground, on Saturday, 16 August 1913, when and where all of the Hoffman family, and their relatives and kindreds are respectfully invited to come with their lunch baskets, to spend a day together in social enjoyment and a happy family gathering and renewal of family ties.
As there will be no personal invitation every one will please consider this a personal invitation to one all, to pack up his or her lunch basket and make an early start for the place selected, on the date selected.
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From the Lykens Standard, 22 August 1913:
HUNDREDS AT HOFFMAN FAMILY Reunion.
Will Meet Annually at Buffalo Park, Halifax.
OFFICERS ELECTED FOR ENSUING YEAR
More than 400 members of the Hoffman family attended the big reunion at Buffalo Park, near Halifax on Saturday.
Many historic incidents were related during the speeches, which were made by W. H. G. Hoffman, Harrisburg, “father of the reunion;” Isaac W. Hoffman, Millersburg; James Miller, Elizabethville; the Rev. C. A. Funk, Halifax; S. B. Hoffman, Matamoras; and others.
Reminiscence was the theme of Isaac W. Hoffman, who told how he had plowed the fields of the old homestead at the foot of Short Mountain and had sacred a little plot in one field where lay a body of John Peter Hoffman, the pioneer of the family in America.
He told of the emigration of this settler to this county, of his arrival at the port of Philadelphia in 1739.
From there he traced the family to Berks County, the participation of its members and descendants in the Revolutionary War, that of 1812, the Mexican and Civil Wars, and finally of the wide distribution of the stock throughout the United States.
The following officers were chosen to arrange next year’s reunion:
President: W. H. G. Hoffman, Harrisburg.
Vice presidents: John W. Hoffman, Gratz; Joseph Deppen, Mt. Carmel; James Hoffman, Lykens; Aaron H. Hoffman, Enterline; Norman Manley, Harrisburg; Edward Hoffman, Harrisburg; Pete Hoffman, Reiner City; Jacob Hoffman, Gratz; Harvey Hoffman, Enola; Frederick Leitzel, Elizabethville.
Corresponding secretary: Thomas J. Hoffman, Enders.
Recording secretary: Rev. Samuel Hoffman, Halifax.
Treasurer: James M. Hoffman, Halifax.
Organist: Miss Jessie Lebo, Harrisburg.
Historian: Morris M. Miller, Elizabethville.
It was determined to hold the reunion annually at Buffalo park, on the third Saturday of August.
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Transcribed from news articles found on Newspapers.com.