Charles Stratton Hoff was born in Hoboken, New Jersey on December 9, 1844. He moved to Illinois sometime prior to the Civil War and in the summer of 1864 enlisted in the 142nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry for a period of 100 days. After the war he married Cynthia Ann Parsons in Logan, Illinois and the couple had four children: Mareta, Elizabeth, Ada and Earl. By 1900 the family was living in southern California. Following the death of his wife in 1907, Hoff moved to Wyoming where he lived with his brother, Henry K “Harry” Hoff in the town of Boulder. He kept in contact with his adult children in California during his Wyoming residence and, in 1908, took a trip through Yellowstone National Park with his brother’s family in 1908. Hoff then returned to California where he died on March 20, 1927.
The Hoff diary documents his time in Wyoming while living in the community of Boulder in the summer of 1907. Hoff worked on his brother’s farm and spent a great deal of time fishing and hunting in the area. An intensely religious man, many entries describe the comfort Hoff felt in reading the Bible. The diary skips the period between October 1907 through July, 1908. On August 19, 1908 Hoff, along with his brother’s family, the Arthur Taylor family, Mr. and Mrs. Ed miller, and a Mrs. Kellog started out on a trip north to Yellowstone National Park. The party passed through Jackson Hole and entered the park from the south, reaching the west thumb of Lake Yellowstone. From there they went north, passing the Grand Canyon to Tower Junction, and then through Roosevelt Camp to Mammoth. They turned south afterwards, passing through the geyser country and leaving the park near present day West Yellowstone. Hoff’s entries are detailed with locations given, his impressions of the countryside, records of wildlife seen, and encounters with the military personnel guarding the park. The diary is accompanied by two photographs. One of Hoff holding his granddaughter Ruthie circa 1910 and another of Earl Hoff with his wife Jessie at their April 15, 1908 honeymoon at Long Beach, California. A printed transcript of the diaries created by Matthew McKnight is also included.
Use of the original diary pages is restricted due to fragility. Researchers should use the transcript located in folder 5.
An original diary of loose pages created by Charles Stratton Hoff, two photographs and a printed transcription of the diary was purchased by the Montana State University Library from Matthew McKnight of 5216 Ridgefalls Way, Antioch, Tennessee on May 14, 2018.
This collection was processed 2018 May 15