Henry Wolf

WOLF

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 16:39:06

Henry Wolf, During a residence of more than a third of a century in Boone county Henry Wolf has become widely and favorably known, and is justly classed among the honored and respected pioneer settlers. He now resides on Sec 21, Pilot Mound township. A native of Germany, he was born in Hesse on November 6, 1846. The Teutonich race has steadily advanced westward, carrying with it the civilization of the older east and has been a very important factor in the development of the new world. Like others of his nationality, r Wolf sought the opportunities afforded by America and enjoying its advantages he has steadily worked his way upward in the business world and is now a substantial farmer of his adopted county. His father Abel Wolf, was also a native of Germany, where he was reared and married. He carried on farming there for many years and then emigrated to the new world in 1855, making his way direct to Chicago, where he remained for five or six years. He then removed to Henry county, Illinois, settling near Annawan, where he purchased a farm, devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits on that place until his life’s labors were ended in death. In the family were three children, who are yet living, Jeremiah a prominent farmer of Pilot Mound township, Henry of this review, and Elizabeth the wife of Jacob Stetzler of Chicago.
Henry Wolf was reared to manhood din Illinois being a youth of nine years when brought by his parents to America. He spent the greater part of his childhood upon the old home farm, remaining with his mother until he had attained his majority. He worked for on season as a farm hand by the month, and in 1866 he and his brother came to Boone county, making their way to Pilot Mound township, where they purchased 240 acres of land. It was raw an unimproved just as it came form the hand of nature, but eh work of development was possible and the brothers were energetic young men and for several years they continued their farming pursuits in partnership. ON the dissolution of the business relations between them Henry Wolf located where he now reside, becoming the owner of a tract of 80 acres there. As time passed and his financial resources were increased he made other investments in property, and today has a very excellent farm, improved wit a good residence, two substantial barns, granaries, cribs and in fact all the equipments necessary to the progressive farm work of the day. He has planted shade and ornamental trees in front of the home, while fruit trees yield a good crop and the well tilled fields yield golden harvest. Mr Wolf is also engaged in the raising of good graded stock and though he stated out in life with no capital he has overcome al difficulties and obstacles in his path and is today one of the substantial residents of Pilot Mound township.
In Boone county, in 1870 Mr Wolf was united in marriage to Amelia Fry, who was born and reared in Germany, Eight children have blessed this union. Albert, who is marred and is engaged in business in Pilot Mound Henry, who resides in Fort Dodge, where he is occupying a business position, Mary the wife of Charles Jones, now of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Hannah a successful school teacher of Boone county, Hattie at home and Eva who is also engaged in teaching school, William who assists in carrying on the home farm, and Ada who completes the family.
Mr and Mrs Wolf were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, but attend services at different churches. He votes with the Republican party, having cast his first ballot for General U S Grant in 1868. Each presidential candidate of the party since that time has been give his support, but local elections he does not consider himself bound by party ties and exercises his right of franchise in support of the men whom he thinks best qualified for the position. He was a young man of twenty years when he came to Boone county. Thirty six years have since passed during which time he has witnessed the greater part of the growth and improvement of this portion of the state. He has seen roads made across what was then the trackless prairie and has seen the land claimed for purposes of civilization and enclosed with in fences indicating individual ownership. The prairies too, which had been clothed in their native grasses, have been made to yield abundant harvest, while in the towns and villages commercial and industrial pursuits have been carried on , adding to the general prosperity. Mr Wolf has taken a deep interest in what has been accomplished in this county, and as a citizen is public spirited and progressive, doing everything in his power to add to the material, intellectual, social and moral advancement of his community.

1902 Boone County History Book