From - "Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers." Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Company, 1896.

Cornelius Hoffman first attended the schools of his native place, and afterwards was a pupil at the Berrysburg Seminary for two years. He was twenty-three years old when he left the seminary; he afterwards taught school for twelve winter terms in Jefferson and Washington townships. He was brought up a farmer's boy, and never served an apprenticeship at any trade, yet he was skillful in the use of tools, and could accomplish good mechanical results in carpentry and other branches of workmanship. He made himself a gun. While teaching school during the winter seasons, Mr. Hoffman would work for wages as a farm hand in the busy months for farm work; thus he obtained the means for a more liberal education. He literally educated himself by the labor of his hands. Cornelius Hoffman was married, in Jackson township, November 4, 1850, to Mary Ann Hassinger, born in Lykens township, Dauphin county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are: William H., born in Washington township, February 26, 1859, attended school there, and now manages the home farm ; Agnes Rebecca, wife of Washington Sheetz, Wayne township ; Lucy Ellen, born December 20, 1862, at home ; Margaret E., born November 4, 1864, wife of William Dempsey, Wayne township ; John C, born May 19, 1867, went to Cass county, Ind., February, 1895, now a farm hand there; Charles D., born September 16, 1869, graduate of Ada College, Ohio, school teacher in Jefferson township; Jacob T., born November 9, 1872, at present teaching school in Wayne township; he is a graduate of Berrysburg Seminary, and is now taking a special course in Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa.; Aaron M., born December 23, 1874, at home; Albert H., born August 16, 1876, went to Cass county, Ind., February 1895, is a farm hand there. After their marriage Mr. Hoffman and his wife went to housekeeping on his father's farm; they soon after purchased the farm, and in 1879 sold it and removed to Wayne township, and located in their present home. Mr. Hoffman has a farm of seventy-six acres under high cultivation. Since 1860 Mr. Hoffman has been a Republican. He was for three years assessor, and school director for four years; he has held several offices in Washington township. He is not a politician, and has never sought elevation to office. Mr. Hoffman is a member of the Reformed church. He is intelligent, a good talker, genial and sociable, and is highly esteemed.