Given name was actually Heinrich Wilhelm Hoefelmann.

Gleaned from the pages of "Past & Present in Platte County, Nebraska Volume II

William H. Hoefelmann is a resident farmer of Grand Prairie township, living on section 14. He is leading a life of well directed industry and his success is manifest in the fine appearance of his farm and its many excellent improvements. He was born in Oldenburg, Germany, March 29, 1845, and is a son of Henry and Katrina Hoefelmann. His father was a blacksmith in Germany, following his trade there until 1867, when he came to the new world, settling at Mayville, Wisconsin. He afterward removed to Minnesota and lived retired in that state, making his home with a daughter. He was a member of the Lutheran church.

William H. Hoefelmann acquired his education in the schools of Germany and in his youthful days learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for some time. He was also employed at farm labor and his time was thus passed in the service of others until he began farming on his own account. Thinking to find better opportunities in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic in 1866, when twenty-one years of age and established his home at Mayville, Dodge county, Wisconsin, there remaining until January, 1869, when he came to Platte county, where he worked at his trade, engaging in blacksmithing in Columbus until 1873. In that year he again turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, homesteading eighty acres on section 14, Grand Prairie township. His first home was a sod house...

In 1871 Mr. Hoefelmann was married to Miss Sophia Kunnemann, a daughter of Henry and Katie (Ehlers) Kunnemann, who were natives of Oldenburg... To Mr. and Mrs. Hoefelmann have been born nine children: William, who is married and who is engaged in farming; Amelia, the wife of E. F. Hellbush; Emma, the wife of Otto Loseke; Edward and Adolph, both at home; Ida, the wife of Otto Osten; Ernst, at home; Arvena, the wife of Carsten Peterson, Jr.; and Clara, with her parents.

In religious faith Mr. Hoefelmann is connected with the German Lutheran church, assisting in organizing St. John's church on section 13, Grand Prairie township...