Archives West Finding Aid

Carl Julius Hoffmann, M.D., was born in Portland, Oregon on December 17, 1882. As a schoolboy at Couch Grade School, he managed a newspaper route. He raised pigeons and sold them to Chinese customers. He later worked at the Oregonian, first in the mail room and after completing business courses, was promoted to the business office. He saved enough money to begin medical school and continued to support his education while working weekends at the newspaper.

Hoffmann graduated from the University of Oregon Medical School with the class of 1907. As a senior, he was class president, graduated valedictorian, was awarded a medal of excellence in anatomy, and received the "Saylor Award" for having the highest scholastic average over four years. After graduation, he served a one-year residency at St. Vincent Hospital where his work in surgery and relations with the medical board, specialists, and head nurse drew professional endorsement.

At the invitation of C. R. Zener, M.D., whom he met while an intern at St. Vincent, he moved to LaCenter, Washington to take over Zener's practice while he recovered from an illness. Known as the "saddle bag doctor", he would ride his horse Billy to logging camps, mill sites, and settler's cabins day or night at a moment's notice.

After Dr. Zener's recovery, Dr. Francis Longaker sent a note to Dr. Hoffmann regarding an opening for a doctor in nearby Woodland. Within a week, Hoffmann moved and set up practice in a town with seven saloons and one church. Included in the deal struck with Dr. Longaker regarding office and medical equipment, he inherited a buggy and a team of horses named Trix and Pet. He bought a saddle horse to use when the roads became impassable. Hoffmann occupied an office at 557 Goerig Street in Woodland where he practiced for 62 years. He lived next door to his upstairs office in the Bryant building, carrying water and cutting his own for wood for heating and cooking. Earle Bryant, who became a fast friend, had a pharmacy on the first floor. In the absence of a nurse, Earle would serve as anesthetist.

These were days without telephone and automobile. Many of the injuries sustained in the mills and logging camps required immediate on-site surgery. His friend Bryant recalled some very tense moments in those days. Hoffmann also assumed the practice of another town physician, retiring Dr. Alice Chapman. When the roads in the valley were improved, Hoffmann would drive his Model T Ford to care for injured loggers, deliver babies, and provide medical aid to those with other ailments or injuries.

After marrying Ethel Gerding, the local schoolteacher on May 10, 1912, they spent a year in Europe where he completed post graduate work at the University of Vienna. Ethel and Carl had two children, Helen and Ernest Carl.

Dr. Hoffmann retired in 1970, recognized by many for his hard work and dedication. In 1948, he was named the Washington State Medical Association's, Outstanding General Practitioner in the State. On August 24, 1947, 3,000 Lewis River Valley and Woodland residents attended a picnic held in his honor. A parade of hundreds of "Dr. Hoffmann's babies" marched in celebration. The community of Woodland presented him with a leather-bound scrapbook documenting his 40 years of service. It was later found in Hoffmann's library at the time of his death. Over the course of his career, Hoffmann received a variety of honors. As time passed, he began avoiding any form of public recognition.

Carl J. Hoffmann died at the age of 88, lauded by anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. Earle Bryant said that in all the years spent with Dr. Hoffmann, he had never seen him angered or swear. His children Ernest Carl and Ethel both died in 1968, just 6 months apart.

Memberships include: Washington State Academy of General Practice; American Academy of General Practice; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Free and Accepted Masons; Alpha Kappa Medical Fraternity; Woodland School Board; City Councilman; Mayor of Woodland

Honors include: Washington State Medical Association: Outstanding General Practitioner in the State, 1948; Woodland Community Club: various honors; Woodland Service club: elected 1st Citizen.