Born at Tunkkanock, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. Employed at the Dalton (PA) Post Office. Moved to El Paso in 1900. Employed in the wholesale glass and building materials business. Owner of L. W. Hoffecker Door and Sash Co. He retired in 1922. Married

with a daughter.

He began collecting coins about 1886. Owner of Watkins Coin Co. in El Paso, Texas. He was life member number 68 of the ANA. He served on the ANA board of governors 1936 to 1939. He served as chairman of the legislative committee. He influenced the legislation

relative to commemorative coinage. Served as 22

nd

ANA President October 5, 1939, to August 21, 1941.

He was the designer and distributer of the Old Spanish Trail half dollar. The Breen/Swiatek reference mentions this as one of few situations where no scandal was associated with the coin. He was also responsible for distribution of the Elgin Centennial half dollar.

He was a member of the Masons and Knights Templar. He died at home in El Paso. His primary collection was sold at auction by B. Max Mehl November 30, 1954. Additional pieces were sold by Superior February 9-11, 1986.

bio: CCUS; P-F; CW 9/3/1986; NUM 104 Oct 1991 p. 1625

(photo)

profile: NUM 52 Nov 1939 page 940 (photo)

obit: NUM 68 Feb 1955 page 142 (photo)