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Walter O. Hoffecker

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Walter O. Hoffecker
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Delaware's at-large district
In office
November 6, 1900 – March 3, 1901
Preceded byJohn H. Hoffecker
Succeeded byL. Heisler Ball
Personal details
Born(1854-09-20)September 20, 1854
Smyrna, Delaware
DiedJanuary 23, 1934(1934-01-23) (aged 79)
Smyrna, Delaware
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Smyrna, Delaware
Alma materLehigh University
ProfessionEngineer

Walter Oakley Hoffecker (September 20, 1854 – January 23, 1934) was an American engineer, businessman and politician from Smyrna in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party and served as U.S. Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family

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Hoffecker was born in Smyrna, Delaware. He graduated from Smyrna Seminary in 1872, and in September 1873, he entered Lehigh University at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he studied civil engineering.

Professional career

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Hoffecker was engaged in a variety of business ventures in the Smyrna area including farming, insurance, banking and canning. As a professional engineer with interest and expertise in transportation issues, he succeeded his father as President of the Philadelphia & Smyrna Transportation Co. He was also a Director of the Delaware Railroad and a member of the original State highway commission in 1917. Hoffecker's banking interest was the Fruit Growers Bank and Trust of Smyrna, of which he was President for thirty-two years.

In a special election on November 6, 1900, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his father, U.S. Representative John H. Hoffecker, Hoffecker was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Democrat Edward Fowler. He served in the Republican majority during the last session of the 56th Congress. He did not seek reelection to a full term and served only from November 6, 1900, until March 4, 1901, during the administration of U.S. President William McKinley. Several years later, in 1908, Hoffecker was a delegate to the Republican National Convention.

Death and legacy

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Hoffecker died at Smyrna and is buried there in the Glenwood Cemetery. His home Ivy Dale Farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[1]

Almanac

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Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term. In this case, he was completing the existing term, the vacancy caused by the death of his father, John H. Hoffecker.

Public offices
Office Type Location Began office Ended office Notes
U.S. Representative Legislature Washington November 6, 1900 March 3, 1901
United States congressional service
Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District
1899–1901 56th U.S. House Republican William McKinley at-large
Election results
Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1900 U.S. Representative Walter O. Hoffecker Republican 22,381 54% Edward Fowler Democratic 18,712 45%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  • Martin, Roger A. (2003). Delawareans in Congress, the House of Representatives 1789–1900. ISBN 0-924117-26-5.

Further reading

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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Delaware's at-large congressional district

1900–1901
Succeeded by