HOFSTATTER, Stephen
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 518-19

Stephen HOFSTATTER, deceased, was a thrifty and prosperous citizen of Baraboo 
[Sauk County], WI, who took an active part in promoting its substantial 
improvement and material development. An adopted son of America, his loyalty 
was above question and his labors in the interests of the city and county 
were most effective and beneficial. Mr. HOFFSTATTER was born in Munich, 
Bavaria, 17 Mar 1819, and died in Baraboo [Sauk County, WI], 21 May 1890. 
His parents were Robert and Agnes Marguerite (SCHUTTE) HOFFSTATTER. The 
father, who was a farmer by occupation, spent his entire life near Munich. 
Five of his sons were soldiers of the Bavarian army, including our subject, 
who was in the service for a number of years. In his [p 519] native land he 
learned the carpenter's trade, and remained there until 1856, when he 
emigrated to the New World and located on a farm on Sauk prairie, Sauk 
County, WI, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his 
energies for 12 years. That place is in the possession of his heirs. In 
connection with the operation of his land he also worked at the carpenter's 
trade, erecting a number of buildings for the early settlers in his 
neighborhood.

Mr. HOFSTATTER manifested his patriotism and love for his adopted country by 
his service in the Civil war, enlisting 24 Feb 1863 in Company A, 36th WI 
Volunteer Infantry. Under command of General Hancock he took part in several 
important engagements, including the battles of the Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, the siege of Petersburg, and the battles of Deep 
Bottom, Reams Station and Hatcher's Run. At Reams Station, while going for 
water, he was captured 25 Aug 1864, and confined to Libby prison until 20 Feb 
1865, when he was exchanged and came home on a furlough to try to recuperate, 
his health being ruined by the abuse he suffered there. He was finally 
discharged 11 May 1865, as hostilities has ceased and his services were no 
longer needed.

Finding himself unfitted for farm labor, Mr. HOFSTATTER removed to Baraboo 
[Sauk County, WI] in 1868, and for a time was engaged in business there, but 
spent most of the remainder of his life in retirement from active business. 
He erected a two-story brick store building, which is still one of the 
principal business blocks of the town, and in other ways was prominently 
identified with public affairs.

On 14 Feb 1854, Mr. HOFSTATTER married Miss Carolina Fredericka 
SCHWERDTFEGGER, who is still a resident of Baraboo [Sauk County, WI]. She 
was born at Geratstadten, near Stuttgart, Wurtemburg, Germany, a daughter of 
Gottlieb and Katherina Marguerite (LEDER) SCHWERDTFEGGER. Her father was a 
dealer in glassware. To our subject and his wife were born four children: 
(1) John Robert, a well-known merchant, of Baraboo; (2) Katherina 
Marguerite, wife of George McCASKEY, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; (3) 
Matilda Louise, wife of James A. McCASKEY, of St. Paul, MN; and (4) William 
Tobias, a journalist, who has spent some time as a reporter for newspapers in 
NY and other cities.

Mr. HOFSTATTER was reared in the Roman Catholic faith, but never united with 
any church in Baraboo. He was a member of Joseph Hooker Post, No. 9, G. A. 
R., of Baraboo, and was a stanch supporter of the Republican party but never 
an office seeker, preferring the peace and contentment of private life except 
when he felt that the preservation of the nation demanded his services. He 
was always found true to every trust reposed in him and commanded the respect 
and confidence of all with whom he came into contact either in public or 
private life.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly