George L. Davis

As printed in 1906

EORGE L. DAVIS, who has been a resident of Lima since the spring of 1899, is interested in oil production and also owns some valuable property in the city, as well as in Auglaize County. He was born in May, 1851, near Auburn, the county seat of Cayuga County, New York, and remained there until his 17th year, when he entered the oil field of Pennsylvania. In a short time he was taking contracts for drilling oil-wells, and met with great success in the several States in which he operated. In 1873 he extended his operations to Ecuador, South America, where, for about two years, he was engaged in drilling deep wells to furnish the inhabitants with a much needed supply of water. About 1893 he began operations as an independent oil producer, and has since been thus engaged.

In 1899 Mr. Davis moved to Lima and invested largely in real estate. Besides his handsome home on Spring street, he owns the Hotel Manhattan property in the heart of the city. It is the intention of Mr. Davis to remodel this building during the next few months, add a number of rooms to meet the growing demands worthy of the large patronage it now enjoys. Mr. Davis owns a fine farm of 227 acres in Auglaize County, Ohio, which is devoted to stock-raising and has gained him a good reputation as a breeder of fine roadsters and draft horses. He also raises large numbers of cattle, hogs and sheep, and conducts his farming along profitable lines.

Mr. Davis was married, in 1877, to Mary Tuller, of Irving, New York. They have two sons — George L., Jr., who resides in Indiana, and Carl L., of Lima. Mr. Davis is a prominent Mason, being a member of Lima Council No. 20, R. & S. M., and Shawnee Commandery, No. 14, K. T., of Lima; Ohio Sovereign Consistory, S. P. R. S., of Cincinnati; and Antioch Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Dayton.

HILIP J. HOFFERBERT was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1858, and three years later came with his parents to Allen County, Ohio, settling in Monroe township where they have since lived.

His parents were Peter and Phoebe (Weaver) Hofferbert.

Peter Hofferbert was born in Hessen, Darmstadt, Germany, in 1834, and when a young man of about 18 years came to the United States, locating in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Here he was married to Phoebe Weaver, who was born in Pennsylvania about 1811 and died in March, 1893. He had learned the trade of butcher in his native land, but after coming to Allen County he devoted his time to agriculture and acquired three farms comprising 280 acres, of which he died possessed in March,* 1895, just two years after the decease of his devoted wife. He was a loyal Republican and served nine months in the Civil War. A member of the German Evangelical Church, he endeavored to live consistently in accordance with his belief. He held a high place in the regard of his fellow-men and was trustee of his township for two terms, discharging his duties conscientiously and with ability. His children. were as follows: Annie E., who owns 40 acres of land in Monroe township and is a resident of Lima; John L., who resides in Sugar Creek township where he owns 80 acres; Philip J.; William L., who owns 80 acres in Monroe township and a son that died in infancy.

Philip J. Hofferbert has resided continuously on his present farm since 1861, remaining with his parents until his 25th year, and then taking up the cultivation of 80 acres of the homestead in section 18, which he afterward purchased of his father. He was married at this time, in 1884, and at once took his bride to the home he had prepared for her, and which he has since improved and beautified, as only the thrifty farmer ever does, by planting small fruit, shade and fruit trees, and erecting attractive and comfortable buildings. He is engaged in general farming, though he also raises considerable stock. Mrs. Hofferbert, who was formerly Catherine Bemius, was born November 28, 1862, near the city of Dayton, Ohio. Her parents were George and Elizabeth (Reitzel) Bernius, both of whom were natives of Germany where they grew to adult years before coming to the United States. They were married soon after their arrival. Six children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hofferbert, namely: Elmer George; Lily Grace; Alta Malinda; Naomi A.; Clarence P.; and Catherine Elizabeth. Mr. Hofferbert is a member of the German Evangelical Church. In politics he is a Republican and has held a number of local offices. He is a practical, progressive farmer and has recently added to his home farm an adjoining tract of 50 acres, which lies in section 13, Sugar Creek township, Putnam County.

As printed in History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.