Biographical, Family & Generations

Six Generations of the Hofeling Family Legacy: From Ostfriesland, Germany to America - A Story of Farmers, Builders, Craftsmen, and Professionals

Our Ancestral Journey

From Ostfriesland to America

Broer Onnen Frerichs Hoveling (Hofeling) was born on August 23, 1798, in Jubberde, Ostfriesland, Germany. He was the son of Frerich Onnen, a farmer in this northern German region known for its independent spirit and maritime tradition.

In 1857, Broer brought his family to America, departing from Bremen, Ostfriesland, Germany on September 1, 1857. They sailed on the ship "Gerhard" under the command of H. Knebel, arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on November 6, 1857 with 210 other passengers.

From New Orleans, the family traveled up the Mississippi River to Illinois, likely by riverboat, establishing themselves as farmers and laborers in their new homeland.

Coat of Arms of Ostfriesland
The Hofeling family's ancestral homeland

First Generation in America

Broer Onnen Frerichs Hoveling (Hofeling)

Born August 23, 1798, in Jubberde, Ostfriesland, Germany. Son of Frerich Onnen, a farmer.

Married Hiemke Harms Saathoff (born October 17, 1807, in Reepsholt, Ostfriesland, Germany). They had six children:

Lukke Onnen Hoveling (Hofeling) - Born 1831
Frerich Onnen Hoveling (Frederick Hofleng) - Born 1832
Lena Onnen Hoveling - Born 1833
Harm Onnen Hoveling (Hofeling) - Born 1834 (My direct ancestor)
Jan Focken Hoveling - Born 1841
Gerd Wilken Hoveling (Hofleng) - Born 1843

After arriving in America in 1857, the family settled in Windtown, Livingston County, Illinois, where they established themselves as farmers and became founding members of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Broer died on September 3, 1875, at age 77. Hiemke died February 14, 1889, at age 81. Both are buried in St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church churchyard in Windtown, Illinois.

Second Generation

Harm Onnen Hoveling (Hofeling)

Born June 13, 1834, in Middels, Ostfriesland, Germany. Fourth child of Broer and Hiemke.

On July 28, 1862, he married Lukke Anna Oltmanns Leenderts (Lehners) in Windtown, Livingston County, Illinois. They had seven children:

Hiemke Tamma Hofeling (Minnie Hofeling)
Frederick Harm Hofeling
Berend William Hofeling (Ben Hofeling)
Herman Tammen Hofeling (Herman Thomas Hofeling) - My direct ancestor
Lena Hofeling
Henry Hofeling
John Hofeling

Harm worked as a farmer and laborer throughout his life in Illinois. He was a member of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Windtown.

Harm died on September 24, 1899, in Minonk, Woodford County, Illinois, and is buried in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery in Windtown, Illinois.

Third Generation

Herman Tammen Hofeling (Herman Thomas Hofeling)

Born June 29, 1870, in Minonk, Woodford County, Illinois. Fourth child of Harm and Lukke Anna.

On March 16, 1898, he married Elizabeth Bell Leatham in Salt Lake City, Utah. Elizabeth was born June 12, 1881, in Wellsville, Cache County, Utah, USA, daughter of James Leatham and Anna Maria Roberts. They had eight children:

Andrew Hyrum Hofeling (1899-1972)
Elizabeth Anna Hofeling (1901-1989)
Eleanor Hofeling (1903-1996)
Evelyn Hofeling (1906-1991)
Thomas Frederick Hofeling (1909-1978)
Edwin Eugene Hofeling - My grandfather (1912-1961)
William Leatham Hofeling (1914-1991)
June Hofeling (1918-2004)

Herman moved to Utah as a young man and worked various jobs including farm laborer, smelter worker, construction laborer, foundry worker, and well-driller. He was known for his strong work ethic and dedication to providing for his large family during challenging economic times.

The family lived in various locations in Utah including Murray, Midvale, and Salt Lake City, as Herman followed work opportunities in the growing industrial sector of the Salt Lake Valley.

Herman died on May 16, 1926, in Salt Lake City, Utah, at age 55. Elizabeth lived until January 25, 1961, passing away at age 79 in Salt Lake City. Both are buried in Murray City Cemetery, Salt Lake County, Utah.

Fourth Generation

Edwin Eugene Hofeling

Born June 29, 1912, in Murray, Salt Lake County, Utah. The sixth child and third son of Herman Tammen and Elizabeth Bell Leatham Hofeling.

Edwin married Mildred Ames and they had five biological children:

Albert Eugene Hofeling
Edwin Reid Hofeling
Donald Vance Hofeling (My father)
David Earl Hofeling
Kelton Ames Hofeling

Later in life, Edwin and Mildred opened their hearts and home to adopt:

Jackie Lane Bilagody Hofeling (Adopted) - A Navajo child they welcomed into their family

Edwin was known for his profound impact as a teacher and mentor in his community. Despite having no formal academic degrees, he became one of the most influential teachers in many young people's lives through his service as a deacons quorum adviser in the LDS Church. His approach to teaching and mentoring was characterized by genuine love, commitment, and personal investment in each youth he worked with.

Those who knew Edwin remembered him as someone who faced life's challenges with remarkable courage and found beauty even in difficult circumstances. His brother Thomas Frederick Hofeling wrote a moving poem titled "EDDY (An Extra Year)" about Edwin's struggle with health challenges and his ability to find meaning and beauty in the midst of suffering. The poem speaks to Edwin's resilience and unique perspective on life during what Thomas called "an extra year" - a period of extended life following serious medical intervention.

Edwin's legacy extended far beyond his immediate family. Community leaders, including Richard P. Lindsay (who later became President of the Taylorsville Utah Central Stake), credited Edwin as their "most influential teacher," noting that "Every youth deserves a teacher or adviser with the love and commitment of an Edwin E. (Ed) Hofeling."

Both Edwin and Mildred were known for their service, compassion, and dedication to family and community. Their decision to adopt Jackie Lane Bilagody Hofeling demonstrated their inclusive love and commitment to providing opportunities for all children, regardless of background.

Edwin died on July 10, 1961, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, leaving behind a legacy of service, teaching, and unconditional love that continued to influence generations after his passing.

Poem and Articles about Ed and Mildred Hofeling

Access the collection of writings about Edwin and Mildred, including Thomas F. Hofeling's poem "EDDY (An Extra Year)" and testimonials from those whose lives they touched.

Fifth Generation

Donald Vance Hofeling

My father, Donald Vance Hofeling, one of six children of Edwin Eugene and Mildred Ames Hofeling.

Donald continued the family tradition of hard work and dedication, raising his family in Utah and instilling values of integrity, perseverance, and service.

Sixth Generation

J. Keven Hofeling

Born into a lineage of farmers, builders, and craftsmen, I represent the sixth generation of Hofelings in America. From our roots in Ostfriesland through the Illinois prairies to the mountains of Utah, our family has contributed to building communities and serving others.

As the first in my direct line to earn a law degree, I've carried forward our family's tradition of hard work while bridging into professional services, and now into the intersection of law and technology.

Special thanks to Blaine Hofeling for his meticulous genealogical research that preserved our family history, allowing us to understand our roots and honor those who came before us.