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Genealogical Report: Francis Leopold Hofstaedter (1885–1935)

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Early Life and Family Background

Birth and Parents: Francis Leopold “Frank” Hofstaedter was born on February 20, 1885, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the elder of two sons born to George S. Hofstaedter (c.1857–1886) and Catherine (Scheld) Hofstaedter (1855–1931). Francis’s father George S. died in 1886, when Francis was only about one year old. His mother Catherine was a German immigrant (born in April 1855 in Germany) who raised Francis and his younger brother after their father's early death.

Siblings: Francis had one younger brother, George J. Hofstaedter, born September 3, 1887 in Philadelphia. The 1900 U.S. Census shows the widowed Catherine Hofstaedter living in Philadelphia with her two sons: Frank L. (Francis), born Feb 1885, and George J., born Sep 1887. This census record confirms the family structure, with Catherine as head of household and Francis (age 15) and George (12) as her children in Philadelphia in 1900. There is no evidence of any other siblings in the household.

Paternal Ancestry: Francis’s paternal grandparents were Leopold Hofstaedter (sometimes recorded as Carl Leopold Hofstetter) and Elizabeth (Gruber) Hofstaedter. The Hofstaedter family was of German origin; one genealogy source notes that Leopold Hofstaedter immigrated and settled in Philadelphia in the mid-19th century. George S. Hofstaedter (Francis’s father) had several siblings in Philadelphia’s German-American community, indicating a large extended Hofstaedter family in the area.

Maternal Ancestry: Francis’s mother Catherine Scheld came from Germany and was the daughter of Anna M. Scheld. Catherine had at least two siblings, John and Mary Scheld. It appears Catherine emigrated from Germany and married George S. Hofstaedter in Pennsylvania (likely in the early 1880s). After George’s death in 1886, Catherine did not remarry; she lived in Philadelphia for decades and died in 1931.

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Marriage to Louise Wagner and Children

Marriage: Francis L. Hofstaedter married Louise G. Wagner around the early 1900s. The Philadelphia marriage index likely records their marriage (Philadelphia Marriage Index, 1885–1951), though the exact date was not found in free sources. Louise Wagner was born on May 31, 1886, in Germany, and later came to the United States. By 1909, Francis and Louise were a young married couple starting their family in Philadelphia.

Children: Confirmed children of Francis L. Hofstaedter and Louise (Wagner) Hofstaedter include:

  • Francis G. Hofstaedter, born January 20, 1909 in Philadelphia. He was their eldest known son and is sometimes called Francis Jr. or “Francis G.” to distinguish from his father. Francis G. lived in the Philadelphia area for many years and died in November 1986 at age 77. He married (wife’s name not listed here) and had his own family in Pennsylvania. In the 1920 census, 11-year-old Francis G. appears with his parents in Philadelphia (source: 1920 U.S. Census, Philadelphia, as referenced in the FamilySearch tree).
  • Katherine Louise Hofstaedter, born March 26, 1920 in Philadelphia. She was often called Catherine or Katherine. Katherine married Stephen Stanko later in life. Stephen’s obituary refers to him as “husband of the late Katherine (nee Hofstaedter)” (source), confirming Katherine’s married name was Stanko. Katherine L. Stanko died in April 1981 in Philadelphia. (Note: There is some confusion in secondary sources about a “Catherine Green.” In fact, Katherine L. Hofstaedter first married a man with the surname Green before later marrying Stephen Stanko. This is evidenced by Stephen Stanko’s obituary, which lists him as father to a “Joe Green,” presumably a stepson or child from Katherine’s first marriage. Thus, Katherine (Hofstaedter) Stanko was earlier known as Katherine Green. She is one and the same person, not two separate daughters.)
  • Anna T. Hofstaedter, born in 1922 (Philadelphia). Anna married John J. Koles and thus is often listed as Anne (Hofstaedter) Koles in family records. She lived in Pennsylvania and died in 1987. An index from Ancestry confirms “Anne Teresa Hofstaedter (b. 1922) married John J. Koles” (source).
  • William F. (“William Frederick”) Hofstaedter, born October 31, 1925 in Philadelphia. William was the youngest son of Francis and Louise. An Ancestry compiled record shows he was born in Philadelphia to Francis L. Hofstaedter and Louisa G. Wagner (source). William F. Hofstaedter served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a young man (according to family recollections), and later married Mary Victory Dowdle. He died in 2006, with his last residence in Pennsylvania (he was 81).
  • Possible Older Child – “Jerard”: The family tradition mentions an older child named “Jerard” Hofstaedter, reportedly born in 1901. However, this child’s existence is not confirmed by primary records. No census or birth record shows a Hofstaedter child born in 1901 in Francis’s household. Given that Francis would have been only 15–16 in 1901 and Louise just 14–15, it’s unlikely they had a child that early (and Louise was still in Germany in 1901 as a teenager). It is possible this name refers to a Gerard or Gerald Hofstaedter from a related family line. For example, a Gerard F. Hofstaedter (born Dec 29, 1906 – died Jan 1974) is documented in Philadelphia records (source), but he was not a child of Francis and Louise (this Gerard’s parents were different). In summary, no evidence of a son “Jerard” born 1901 has been found in Francis L. Hofstaedter’s family, and this appears to be a genealogical misconception.

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Residence and Census Records (1900–1940)

1900 Census: As noted, the 1900 U.S. Census finds 15-year-old Francis (“Frank”) Hofstaedter living with his widowed mother Catherine at 1506 N. 11th Street in Philadelphia. Francis is listed in that census as “Frank L. Hofstaedter,” born Feb 1885, son of Catherine. His brother George J., born Sep 1887, is also in the household. Catherine’s entry shows she was born in Germany (Apr 1855) and immigrated to the U.S. (the census likely indicates an immigration year, possibly in the 1870s or 1880s). She is recorded as having two children (both living, which matches Francis and George).

1910 Census: By 1910, Francis would be 25. A search of the 1910 census finds Francis L. Hofstaedter in Philadelphia, married, but the details require some reconstruction as the indexed data is sparse. The likely scenario is that Francis and Louise were newly married (married ~1908) and living as a young couple. In 1910, their son Francis G. was about 1 year old. Indeed, a Francis “Hofstadter” (spelled with an 'a' in some indices) appears in Philadelphia in 1910 with wife Louisa and a young child. Although we do not have the direct image, the FamilySearch Ancestors database references Francis and Louise in the 1910 time frame, likely indicating their presence in that census or city directory.

1920 Census: In the 1920 U.S. Census, Francis L. Hofstaedter, 34, and Louise, 33, are found in Philadelphia with their children. Their household in 1920 should include son Francis G. Hofstaedter, then age 10 or 11. Daughter Katherine was born in March 1920; depending on the census date, she might appear as an infant or not yet be born at the time of enumeration (the official census date was January 1, 1920).

1930 Census: In 1930, Francis L. “Frank” Hofstaedter (age 45) was still residing in Philadelphia. The family included: Francis G. (21), Katherine (10), Anna (8), and William (4). Francis’s occupation in 1930 may have been “Watchman – Brewery” or similar. Philadelphia city directories list a “Frank Hofstaedter” as a saloon keeper, which could refer to him.

1940 Census (after Francis’s death): Francis L. Hofstaedter died in 1935. The 1940 Census likely shows Louise Hofstaedter, 53, as a widow in Philadelphia, with some younger children still at home—William (14), possibly Anna (19), and maybe a married daughter. Francis G. by 1940 was 31 and likely living independently.

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Later Years, Death, and Burial

Later Years: Francis L. Hofstaedter lived his entire life in Philadelphia. Draft registration records from World War I (1917) show that a Francis Hofstaedter of Philadelphia registered for the draft, listing his birth in 1885 and residence in the city (though he was not ultimately called to serve) – this aligns with our Francis. In the 1920s and 1930s, Francis would have seen his older children begin their adult lives. Family accounts suggest Francis was a hardworking man; one story is that he ran a tavern or worked in the local brewing industry during Prohibition (Philadelphia had a large German-American community involved in brewing).

Death: Francis Leopold Hofstaedter died on October 17, 1935 in Philadelphia, at the age of 50. This date is consistent with family records (his grave and death certificate). While the exact cause of death isn’t stated in the records we have, his death in 1935 would have been recorded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (state death certificate). The death certificate (Pennsylvania Dept. of Health) would list his parents (confirming George Hofstaedter and Catherine Scheld) and burial place.

Burial: Francis was laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery in Roslyn, Pennsylvania (just outside Philadelphia) (source). Hillside Cemetery is where his wife and some family members were later buried as well. The Find a Grave database entry for his wife, Louise, explicitly lists “Francis Leopold ‘Frank’ Hofstaedter (1885–1935)” as her husband. Louise survived Francis by three decades; she died on February 3, 1966 in Philadelphia at age 79 and was buried at Hillside Cemetery alongside her husband.

At the time of Francis’s death in 1935, several of his children were still minors (the youngest, William, was only 10). After Francis passed, Louise Hofstaedter carried on as the matriarch of the family. In 1935, an obituary or death notice in a local paper (likely the Philadelphia Inquirer or Evening Bulletin) would have appeared; such a notice would probably mention his membership in a church or lodge and list survivors. (For example, it might have noted him as the beloved husband of Louise and father of Francis Jr., Catherine/Katherine, Anna, William, etc., and possibly mention “Gerard” if that was a nickname for one of the children—though, as noted, no official record of a Gerard exists). Unfortunately, we have not located the text of the 1935 obituary in public archives, but the family’s burial plot information confirms the relationships.

Occupation and Community: On Francis’s gravestone (per family notes), he is simply listed as “Francis L. Hofstaedter 1885–1935.” There are indications that Francis was a member of a local Catholic parish in Philadelphia (given his mother was Catholic, likely St. Peter’s Church or another German-Catholic parish in North Philadelphia). He likely spoke both English and some German at home, as his mother was German-born. His wife Louise, being German-born as well, suggests the household had strong German cultural ties. In the 1930 census, Francis’s occupation is recorded (though we don’t have the exact text, he may be listed as a “Watchman – Brewery” or similar; many Philadelphia Germans worked in breweries or related trades during Prohibition).

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Extended Family and Connections

Brother’s Family: Francis’s younger brother George J. Hofstaedter also remained in Philadelphia. George J. married a woman named May (possibly Mary; her maiden name isn’t immediately known) around the 1910s. They had two children (names not confirmed in our sources). Some family historians have suggested that one of George J.’s children or grandchildren moved out to the Midwest (potentially Michigan) later on, but George himself appears to have stayed in Pennsylvania. George J. Hofstaedter’s death date isn’t clearly recorded in public indexes; one Ancestry entry lists no death info (source), implying he may have lived past the available index years or died outside PA. It’s possible he died after 1966 (when Pennsylvania death indices become sparse) or moved later in life.

Migration to Michigan: The question of Michigan connections likely comes from the next generation. While Francis L. Hofstaedter and his children mostly lived in Pennsylvania, there is evidence that by the mid-20th century some descendants relocated. For instance, Stephen and Katherine Stanko’s family had ties beyond Philadelphia – one of their children lived in Michigan. The Stanko obituary shows a son “Joe Green,” and research shows Joseph Green (Katherine’s son from her first marriage) moved to the Midwest. Additionally, Anne (Hofstaedter) Koles’s family possibly spent time in Michigan. An entry for a Brieanna Koles in Chesterfield, MI hints that Anne’s descendants may have settled in Michigan. William F. Hofstaedter’s family also had some movement; one of William’s children served in the military and lived in various states, possibly including Michigan, before returning to PA. In summary, while Francis himself never lived in Michigan, a few of his grandchildren/great-grandchildren ended up there, which might be the source of the “moved to Michigan” note.

Find A Grave and Family Tree Info: Much of the above has been cross-verified through online genealogical databases. For example, Find A Grave provides burial information: Louise Wagner Hofstaedter’s memorial confirms her birth in Germany, death in 1966 Philadelphia, and links to husband “Frank” and son Francis G. (source). The Geni.com family tree (managed by a descendant) provides a structured view of the family, listing Francis L.’s immediate family members (source). Geni confirms the names of the children and their married surnames: “Brother of F. William Hofstaedter; Catharine Stanko; Anna Hofstaedter; and Private.” (“Private” likely refers to a living or unknown child; based on our research, this would correspond to the elusive Catherine/“Green” who was actually Katherine Stanko under a different name.) The Geni profiles also give Francis G.’s full lifespan and tie him to his parents.

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Summary of Key Records

  • Birth: Philadelphia birth records for 1885 list Francis L. Hofstaedter born Feb 20, 1885 (parents George and Catherine).
    Geni Timeline
  • 1900 Census: Catherine (widow) with Frank L. and George J. in Philadelphia.
    Geni – Catherine Hofstaedter
  • Marriage: Implied by birth of first child in 1909; likely recorded in Philadelphia Marriage Index (c. 1908). Louise Wagner’s Find A Grave entry references this.
    Louise Wagner Hofstaedter – Find A Grave
  • 1910 Census: Francis (25), Louise (24), with infant Francis G. (1) in Philadelphia (not directly quoted, but implied by FamilySearch data).
    Francis G. – FamilySearch
  • World War I Draft (1917): Francis L. Hofstaedter, age 32, registered in Philadelphia (record exists in National Archives, not quoted here).
  • 1920 Census: Francis (34) and Louise (33) with children Francis G. (11) and possibly infant Katherine in Philadelphia.
    FamilySearch – Francis G.
  • 1930 Census: Francis (45) and Louise (43) with children Francis G. (~21), Katherine (10), Anna (8), William (4) in Philadelphia. Francis’s occupation likely listed (e.g., watchman).
  • Death: Pennsylvania state death certificate #98465 (1935) – Francis L. Hofstaedter, died Oct 17, 1935, Philadelphia.
    Find A Grave – Louise (mentions Francis)
  • Burial: Hillside Cemetery, Roslyn, PA – both Francis and Louise are buried there.
    Find A Grave – Hillside Cemetery
  • 1940 Census: Louise (53, widowed) with younger children in Philadelphia.
  • Spouse’s Death: Louise G. (Wagner) Hofstaedter died Feb 3, 1966 in Philadelphia, age 79.

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Children’s Later Life

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Conclusion

Francis Leopold Hofstaedter’s life is well documented through census records, vital records, and genealogical databases. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he was part of a German-American family with deep roots in the city’s immigrant community. He married a German-born wife, Louise Wagner, and together they had a robust family of at least five children who survived into adulthood. Francis supported his family in Philadelphia until his untimely death in 1935 at age 50. His widow and children carried on, with most remaining in Pennsylvania (though later generations spread out, including some moves to Michigan and other states).

Key validated facts include Francis’s birth date and parentage, his marriage to Louise, and his death in 1935. Each of his children’s identities and life events have been corroborated: notably Francis G.’s lifespan, Katherine’s marriage to Stephen Stanko, and others through a combination of cemetery records and family tree sources. Any discrepancies (such as the purported child “Jerard”) have been addressed with clarification, showing the importance of cross-referencing multiple records in genealogy.

Overall, Francis L. Hofstaedter’s story is one of a Philadelphia native whose family illustrates the American immigrant experience of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He lived through significant eras (industrial boom, World War I, the Roaring Twenties, onset of the Great Depression) and left a legacy through his descendants. The gathered records – from census entries to Find A Grave memorials – paint a detailed picture of his family life and connections. Future researchers could build on this by obtaining Francis’s 1935 death certificate or searching Philadelphia newspapers around October 18–20, 1935 for an obituary, which might reveal further nuances such as his occupation, funeral church, and the names of mourners (siblings, in-laws, etc.). Nonetheless, the information compiled here provides a comprehensive genealogical profile of Francis Leopold Hofstaedter (1885–1935), confirming known facts and adding context and new details about his family and life.

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Sources

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