BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Page 642.

W. D. HOFF

W. D. Hoff, a well-known attorney of St. Clairsville, was born in Barbour county,
W. Va., the son of. H. L. and Ann Hoff. He was reared in his native state, and
came to Ohio in 1857, for the purpose of obtaining an education. He attended the
McNeely school at Hopedale about two years, and the Eclectic institute at Hiram
one year. In the spring of 1861 he returned to Virginia, and commenced the study
of law. He took a part in the local work of organizing the restored and loyal
government of Virginia, and in August, 1862, enlisted as a private in the
Fifteenth Virginia regiment. He was during his term of service at one time a
prisoner of war, and had the unpleasant distinction of being held in close
confinement at Libby prison as a hostage. Mr. Hoff was mustered out as lieutenant
in June, 1865. He resumed the study of law and was admitted to the bar in West
Virginia in the summer of 1866. In the following autumn he went to Stockton, Mo.,
and there engaged in the practice of law until 1880. During his residence in
Missouri, he met with success in his professional career and was honored with
various positions of trust. Returning to Ohio in 1880, he was a resident of Cadiz
a short time, and then removed to St. Clairsville, where he has since made his
home and has been engaged in the practice of law, becoming one of the influential
citizens of the county. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the G. A. R.
Mr. Hoff was married, in 1870, to Mary, daughter of Isaac Lewis, a merchant of
Georgetown, Ohio, and they have four children: Lewis, Eldridge G., Luella and Carl
P. Mrs. Hoff is a member of the Society of Friends.