Tracing Joseph Hoffman's footsteps through Chillicothe
CHILLICOTHE― Joseph W. Hoffman, formerly known as Hope Hoffman, was killed in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Prior to joining the Navy, he spent most of his childhood in Chillicothe where he lived, worked, attended church and went to school.
Many of the buildings, streets and scenery that Joseph would have enjoyed almost 100 years ago are still intact in the historic city of Chillicothe.
Childhood Home
Joseph's childhood home still stands at 304 Yoctangee Pkwy, previously known as 304 Park St.
Lt. Colonel Bob Leach, a local historian and former history teacher, has researched Joseph since the sailor's remains were identified in 2020. He said the Hoffman family moved to Chillicothe in 1926 when Joseph was in primary school.
"The father became ill and he was a farmer and had to have medical treatment that was not available to him in rural Western Ross County in a little community of Greenfield," Leach said. "Here in Chillicothe, there was a larger hospital."
Johna Pulver with the Ross County Veterans Service Office started researching Joseph in 2019. While researching, she discovered that her relative now owns Joseph's former home on Yoctangee Parkway.
A large English Walnut tree sits on the former Hoffman property. It is rumored in the community that the tree was planted by either Joseph or his brother Victor.
A tree commission employee came to the residence to estimate the age of the tree and it was confirmed that the tree was planted while the Hoffman's still lived at the residence. Although the story behind the tree can not be confirmed, Leach believes Victor planted the tree in honor of Joseph after his death.
The city of Chillicothe is discussing installing a plaque outside of the house to identify the property as Hoffman's former home.
Chillicothe High School
Joseph lived across the street from Chillicothe High School where he participated in band, orchestra and chemistry club. His nickname was the Governor. He graduated with the class of 1936.
The school was later torn down and turned into the middle school building. Although the original building where Joseph attended school no longer exists, children are still studying on the same grounds.
Tyler Memorial United Methodist Church
Joseph's childhood church still stands at 260 Mill St. Now Tyler Memorial United Methodist Church, it was known as Tyler Brethren Church was the Hoffman family attended.
Leach said the sanctuary is almost the same as the last service Joseph attended, with the same building and stained-glass windows. The church may even have some of the same Bibles Hoffman would have read.
His mother, Donna, was very involved with the church. Joseph participated in many of the Christmas programs and piano recitals.
The church community was able to keep an artifact from Joseph intact. While deployed, Joseph sent a handkerchief home to his mother.
"It actually looks like the cutout back of the navy dress and cut into pieces and Joseph sent this piece home before the Pearl Harbor attack," Leach said.
It was then given to a girl who attended Tyler church with the Hoffman family. Then it was passed down to a friend, then her daughter, who kept the handkerchief ever since. The handkerchief will be on display at Hoffman's memorial service this weekend.
On Sunday, Aug. 21, a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at the church. Pastor James Wade invites anyone in the community to share in the memorial segment of the church’s memorial service.
Music Teacher
Prior to becoming Musician First Class Hoffman in the Navy, he was a music prodigy in Chillicothe. He played a number of instruments in the Chillicothe High School band, along with the piano.
Leach said getting accepted into the service music program could have led to a lifelong career playing music when he got home.
"For a kid from the Midwest to get accepted into the service music program, they said that was like today getting accepted to the Juilliard academy of arts," Leach said. "That meant that you are going to be able to make a living off your music the whole time you were in the Navy and you'd be practicing your craft and honing your skills."
He played a number of recitals in the studio of his teacher, Mrs. Allan W. (Clara) Hammill in her home at 30 North Walnut Street. This building is currently the location of Family Dentistry.
Sulzbacher and Erdmann Pharmacy
Joseph worked at Formerly Sulzbacher & Erdmann Pharmacy at 49 North Paint St. before joining the Navy. The building still stands in downtown Chillicothe and is now the location of Knisley Law Offices.
He was also a paper carrier for the News-Advertiser
Greenfield Cemetery
The first Hoffman family member to be buried was Ada, Joseph’s sister who died in infancy in 1919.
Donna died in 1948 and was buried in the family plot at Greenfield Cemetery. She was alive to accept Joseph’s Purple Heart in 1942.
The year after Donna’s death, American Legion Post 757 was chartered and named in honor of Joseph W. Hoffman. Joseph's father, Lloyd Hoffman, was involved with the post until his death in 1968.
Victor placed a marker in Greenfield Cemetery in honor of his brother and chose to be buried alongside his family before his death in 1983. Joseph’s remains would not be identified until 2020, almost 80 years after his death.
On Saturday, a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. at the Ross County Veterans Memorial Park on Yoctangee Boulevard. A motorcade will proceed from Veterans Memorial Park to Greenfield Cemetery for graveside services.
"This chain of events started over 100 years ago when a three-year-old baby died and was buried there,” Leach said. “That's why in 2022, this large procession for a Pearl Harbor casualty is going to Greenfield, and finally, the family will be reunited.”
Megan Becker is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. Call her at 740-349-1106, email her at mbecker@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @BeckerReporting.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Tracing Joseph Hoffman's footsteps through Chillicothe
