Ogden Hoffman Jr.

Biography

Ogden Hoffman Jr. (1822–1891) came from a distinguished legal family and carried that heritage westward during the Gold Rush era. After establishing himself at the bar, he served as United States District Judge for the Northern District of California, where his careful mind and commanding presence brought order to a growing and diverse docket.

During his two decades on the bench he handled admiralty, commercial, and civil rights cases with patience and fairness, earning the esteem of lawyers and citizens alike. Hoffman’s steady temper and devotion to justice helped shape the West’s federal courts in their formative years.