Joseph B. HOFIUS

                   CENSUS:1860,Hickory twp,Mercer,Pa,p.235,11 Jul,

Joseph appears in the 1880 census with one child (Henry) in South Hickory Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. His occupation was given as a Farmer and his father born in Pennsylvania and mother born in New York.

In 1876 he concluded to push westward and seek his fortune, and went to Denver, Colorado.  But he did not like the prospects there and so returned as far as Kossuth County, Iowa where his cousin, the late Fletcher Hofius lived.  He remained there a year, durinG which time he wooed and won Miss Mamie Thompson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thompson.  After the marriage the young couple went to the groom's home in Pennsylvania and lived there four years, after which they retuned to Kossuth  and bought the farm north of town where they had since lived and made it one of the most comfortabvle and attractive homes in the county.  This farm consisted of two hundred and forty acres.

Mr. Hofius was a prominent man as a farmer and in social life.  He held the office of county auditor for two terms and held many township offices, and for several years was secretary and manager of the Algona Coopderative Creamery Company, and it was to his good business foresight and attention to business that much of its success was due.

Joseph was a member of the Baptist Church and fraternally was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workment and the Modern Woodmen of America.  He was a Democrat.