Francis Hoffmann

Who was Francis Hoffmann?

Francis Arnold Hoffmann was a Lutheran clergyman, politician and writer.

He was born in Westphalia, Prussia, the son of Fredrick and Wilhelmina Hoffmann. In 1840 he emigrated to the United States to avoid conscription, and settled in Illinois.

Hoffmann was a teacher and a pastor in Dunklee's Grove until 1847. During this time he became active in public affairs and served as postmaster, town clerk and member of the school board. He also began writing and contributed articles to the Chicago Democrat and Prairie Farmer. In 1844 he married Cynthia Gilbert.

He served as pastor and teacher at St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in Schaumburg from 1847 to 1851. In 1851 Hoffmann moved to Chicago, studied law and became an attorney. In 1852 he was elected to the city council. Hoffmann worked to attract German immigrants to Chicago and was able to establish a successful banking business using the money entrusted to him by the German community.

Hoffmann was a vigorous opponent of the extension of slavery, an issue brought into prominence by the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. He left the Democratic Party and played a role in the election of Lyman Trumbull to the United States Senate. He helped to found the Republican Party in Illinois and was a political supporter and ally of Abraham Lincoln. He was elected the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois and served from 1861 to 1865.