Thanks to F/A/G volunteer Janet F. Cole, #48226372 and from my own records:

Karl Hoffmann was the son of Charles and Marguerita (Moes) Hoffmann. The family emigrated from Luxembourg to Iowa, arriving in 1846, and were pioneer settlers in Jackson County, Iowa.

Karl married Susanna Lux on November 14, 1855, at St. Donatus, Iowa. Their marriage was part of a "double wedding ceremony," as his sister Johanna Hoffmann married Nicholas Hoffmann (no relation) that same day at St. Donatus.

Karl and Susanna were the parents of fourteen children, ten of whom reached adulthood. They farmed and raised their family in St. Donatus, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on November 14, 1905. A published account follows:


LeMars Daily Sentinel (Nov 14, 1905):

THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING DAY: Members of the Hoffmann Family in LeMars and St. Donatus Celebrate Fiftieth Anniversary of Double Wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Hoffmann residing on Court street are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary today surrounded by their children and their grandchildren. To these old and honored pioneer residents the congratulation of a very large circle of friends will be extended on the happy occasion. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Hoffmann were united in marriage on November 14, 1855, at St. Donatus, Jackson county. At the same time and place Chas. Hoffmann, a brother of Mrs. Nicholas Hoffmann, was united in marriage to Susanna Lucks, and these two are celebrating their golden wedding at St. Donatus today.

The original intention of the four whose wedding took place fifty years ago was to hold the golden wedding celebration at the same church in which in youth they were plighted, but the poor health of Mr. and Mrs. Nic Hoffmann precluded the idea.

There are a number of facts in connection with the anniversary which are of interest. Nicholas Hoffmann married Johanna Hoffmann, who, though bearing the same name, was no relation. Her brother Chas. Hoffmann married Susanna Lucks. Three of the four bridesmaids and groomsmen who attended the double ceremony are still alive. Dominic Hoffmann and Elizabeth Schmidt, now Mrs. Webber, and Nicholas Hoffmann and Mary Lucks were the attendants. Mr. Nicholas Hoffmann died at Ft. Madison three years ago.

[2015 CORRECTION: Records indicate Nicholas Hoffmann, a brother of Karl and Johanna, actually died at Ft Madison IA in 1895, was initially buried at Alton IA, and was later reinterred at Ft. Madison IA in 1909; see details at his FindAGrave Memorial# 89505263]

The others are still living at St. Donatus. Rev. Nicholas Federmann performed the ceremony for the young people.

The Hoffmanns come of long lived families. Mr. Hoffmann was seventy five years old on June 18, last, and Mrs. Hoffmann was seventy years of age on February 9, of this year. They are both natives of Luxembourg. Mr. Hoffmann coming to the states in 1853, and his wife in 1846. They came to Plymouth county in 1871, and farmed for a number of years. In 1882 they took up their residence in LeMars and have lived here since. Ten children blessed their union, seven girls and three boys, of whom four are living. They are Mrs. G. M. Hazel, Mrs. Anthony Thoma, of Le Mars; Mrs. Peter Mich, of Granville; and Mrs. G. P. Beck, of Remsen. There are twenty six living grandchildren. Three great-grandchildren have died.

Chas. Hoffmann, of St. Donatus, is seventy nine years old and his wife is sixty nine years old. They are celebrating their anniversary in the old church at St. Donatus where they were married. They came to Jackson county in the early fifties. To them were born nine girls and five boys, ten of whom are living. Two daughters Mrs. Frank Majerus, of Oyena; and Mrs. Ferdinand Mousel, of Alton; and two sons from White Lake, S. D., went from here to attend the celebration at St. Donatus. Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Hoffmann have fifty grandchildren and thre great grandchildren.

The Thoma children have the pleasure of witnessing the golden celebration of their grandparents on both sides of the house, which is something almost unique in the history of a family. The parents of Mr. Anthony Thoma celebrated their golden wedding of St. Donatus seven years ago.

This morning at nine o'clock the Hoffmann family will attend special high Mass at St. Joseph's church Rev. F. X. Feuerstein officiating. After the services at the church the family and friends will gather at the home and duly celebrate the golden jubilee.


[To find this grave, enter the main/center gate. The grave is in the back (south) half of the section, off to your right (west).]