George HOFIUS, JR.

                   1888 History of Mercer Co., pp 866-867
                  

                   1888 History of Mercer Co., Pa, pp 866-867

Ella never married, claimed poor health and persuaded her father George Hofius Jr. to give her part of his estate that included the Homestead buildings.  This was carried out after his death by his widow on 5/16/1912 She couldn't handle it, and between 1914 and 1918 Ella made an agreement with Paul Henry Hofius if he would take over the running of her farm and keep a room for her when she visited during the summers he would inherit the farm upon her death.  Paul and family moved to the farm from South Charleston, Ohio but after two years they could not get along and Paul moved his family to the Joe Cutler farm outside of Sharpsville, Pa., thus giving up the farm.

Ella and her parents first attended the Baptist Church in Sharon, Pennsylvania. This congregation split and some of the members and started a new church in Sharpsville under the leadership of an over pious minister.  Ella and her parents were amont the charter members. With this membership a tragic family life began for the whole family.  Especially Ella's mother.

With the family pulling apart Ella wanted a carrer, and got as much of her father's money as possible and with it set up some form of message and spa in Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1899 her residance was in Cleveland, Ohio according to a deed dated 2/24/1899 when she deeded over 1/2 interest in 72 acres of land in Hickory Township to her sister Nancy Amelda Adams for $1,000.

Mary Ella became estranged from all family ties and sold the remaining 48 acres of her farm to J. R. Wishart which included the homestead barn and buildings on 11/5/1920 for $4,000.  She then moved to DeLand, Florida where she previously had been spending the winters. She claimed she was psycic and tried to force her ideas on everyone.  In time after arrival in DeLand she pulled away from the Baptist Church and joined a spiritual crowd near DeLand, Florida, but when they got her money she was forced to throw herself on the mercy of the Presbyterian Church in DeLand.  In these last years the Presbyterian Church assisted in her livign in a private appartment in DeLand.  She never returned to the Mercer County area again.

In December 1933 she went to the State Home at Chattahoochee, Florida.  She passed away at the State Home in River Junction, Florida accoring to the Death Certificate number 4647 at 7:30 AM on March 29, 1934.  She was buried in the Florida State Hospital Cemetary in Chattahoochee, Florida.
                  

                   1888 History of Mercer Co., pp 866-867

Occupation: Jeweler - Photographer.

Education: Educated in Hickory School System

Twin brother of Leonard Hofius

Luther and his brother Leonard were badly spoiled by the entgire Arthurhold family when small.  So as could be expected they became "dandys" - dressed in latest - spent nights with the generation's fast crowd, married young and chose photography as a profession.  Seems they were good but couldn't live within their earnings and were constantly wanting money from home.  As long as it lasted they got it.

In his early years his occupation was listed as a Jewler on his marriage license.  Luther and his wife Lizzie lived in Youngstown, Ohio in 1901. Later Luther and his twin brother Leonard spent most of their time as photographers in and around Jamestown and Lake Chautauqua, New York.  Luther at the time of his death had spent 37 years working as a photographer in and around Lake Chautauqua.  The business at death was called Calaim Pack.  Before his death he had lost a leg and was a cripple.  He died in Jamestown, New York and his wife was a loving partner to the end.  Cause of death was due to gangrene of the foot and arterioslerous.  Lizzie and he had no children.
                  

                   1888 History of Mercer Co., pp 866-867

Occupation: Photographer.

Education: Educated in the Hickory School System.

Work Experience: He was self employed as a photographer.

Leonard twin brother of Luther W. Hofius was born and raised on the original homestead. He and his brother Luther were badly spoiled by the Arthurhollt family when small.  So - as could be expected they became "dandys" - dressed in latest - spent nights with the generations's fast crowd, married young and chose photography as a profession.  It seems they were good but couldn't live within their earnings and were constantly wanting money from home.  As long as it lasted they got it.

Leonard's first marriage was to Margaret Henry, soon after the marriage they moved to New Brighton, Pa., where daughter Olive was born.  They then moved to Meadville, Pa., where son Paul Henry was born.  Later Leonard and Margaret were divorced.  His second marriage was to Ruie Hutchenson and they had no children.  He and his twin brother Luther spent most of their time as photographers in and around Jamestown and Lake Chautauqua, New York.

When he became ill, with cancer of the face, he returned to the homestead and his sister Ella gave hims some sort of care until he died.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sharpsville, Pennsylvnaia.

Leonard was only 59 years, 5 months and 16 days old when he passed away as a widower with Apoplexy (Stroke) due to Artero Sclerosis after a lingering illness.   On his death certificate his mother's name was listed as Elizabeth Artherholt.
                  

                   Occupation: Teacher.

Nancy Amelda taught school in the Hickory Township system before her marriage to John G. Adams.  Like her husband she taught at #6 school at Lamonts Corners and Dutch Lane.

Nancy grew out of her mothers shot comings, but it was too late for her to enjoy her family and the good life.  She was a excellent cook.

Nancy Amelda inherited her Uncle Jonathon's farm and lived there until after her husband's death.  This farm became known as the Adams Farm & was bounded by the present streets of Clarksville Road and Hofius Lane in Hermitage, Pa.  She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sharpsville, Pa.

Amelda as she was normally called was very particular about her dress and always wore long sleeves.  In her later years she felt she didn't have the proper clothes and would not attend her church even though she was quite a religious person.  Amelda was always respected by all of her relatives and friends.

Amelda Hofius and John G. Adams were married by minister Chas E. Edwards of the Presbyterian Church in Sharpsville, Pa., on 9/6/1893 in accodance with license issued by Clerk of Orphans' Court of Mercer County Pennsylvania No. 3183 by Clerk H.H. Zeigler.

She is buried by her husband in Morefield Cemetery in Section 1, Row 27, Grave Site 3.