Nicholas Dies Six Days After Being Wounded In France – With Tank Division- 3rd Hamptonite Killed.
Relatives in Eastern Dakota County received the sad news this week that Technician Corporal Nicholas J. Hoffman, age 27, had died June 24 in a French hospital after being wounded in action on the battle field of France, June 18. This message was received just four days after the first message sent by the government which stated that he had been seriously wounded in action and the war department asked all his family and friends to write to him and advising that each member of his family might send a five word telegram which they did immediately. The department also said he was receiving the best care possible in a hospital in France.
“Nick” as he was known, a son of Math and Veronica (Wieler) Hoffman, was born at New Trier, October 11, 1916 and attended parochial school there, after which he helped his folks until August 1939. He was then employed by Verdie Volden on road work and later by Louis Zimmer of Farmington as an oil truck driver. After that he worked at the Schroeder Standard station in Farmington and then he drove a truck of his own for the Standard Oil Co., until he was inducted in the service.
He received his training at Camp Wolters, Texas, Camp Hood, Texas, and Pine Camp, N.Y. From there he was sent overseas, June 1943. He served in a tank battalion in England until the invasion of France, in which he took part. The last letter written by him and received here was June 5, 1944.
During his residence here he gained many friends and he joined the Knights of Columbus, Council 2400, which is connected with St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
Besides his father, the young corporal is survived by his two brothers and five sisters, namely: Pfc. Frank Hoffman of New Guinea, Mrs. George Weiderhold of Meisville, Mrs. Andrew May of Farmington, Mrs. John Irrthum; Mrs. Alois Fox of Cannon Falls, and Henry Hoffman of Randolph; also his fiancée, Janet Fox who resides in Hastings, Minn.
A requiem High Mass will be held Monday, August 14th at St Joseph’s Catholic Church at Meisville, with Rev. Father M.J. Duhr, officiating.