WOLFE, Ellis W.

WOLFE, ELLIS, PIERS

Posted By: Annette Lucas (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 14:46:44

SOURCE: History of Adair County Iowa and Its People. Lucian M. Kilburn, Supervising Editor. Vol. II, The Pioneer Publishing Co., Chicago 1915

Ellis W. Wolfe is the owner of an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres situated on sections 3 and 4, Lee township, and in the further development and improvement of the place he spends a busy life, his labors being attended with gratifying results. Iowa numbers him among her native sons, for his birth occurred in Jackson county, March 14, 1871, his parents being Jacob and Elizabeth (Ellis) Wolfe. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Indiana and at an early period in the development of Iowa they came to this state, remaining in Jackson county until they took up their abode upon a farm within the borders of Adair county. Their remaining days were here passed and they became the parents of five children, of whom four are yet living. Ellis W. Wolfe continued at home until he reached his majority and then began farming on his own account by renting land. For fifteen years he continued to cultivate farms which he leased but during that period he carefully saved his earnings and as soon as possible made investment in property, becoming the owner of eighty acres in Grove township. There he lived for five years, at the end of which time he sold the property and bought a farm in Guthrie county, Iowa, which he owned for a short time. He then traded for a farm in Lee township, Adair county, but afterward disposed of that place and bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, Lee township. He afterward bought one hundred and sixty acres more on section 4, Lee township, and he now owns three hundred and twenty acres, all of which is improved. All the modern equipment of a farm is to be seen upon this place, which is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, while commodious and substantial barns and outbuildings furnish ample shelter for grain, stock and farm machinery. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and in all regards his place is a model farm. He devotes considerable attention to raising and feeding stock and that branch of his business is returning to him a substantial income.

In 1912 Mr. Wolfe was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Piers, a native of Michigan and a daughter of Thomas L. and Sarah Piers, both of whom are deceased. Our subject and his wife have one son, Leroy W. Mr. Wolfe votes with the republican party but has never been an office seeker, being content with exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of his party. He belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 375 and his wife is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Wolfe deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he started out in life empty-handed and may truly be called a self-made man. He has worked persistently and energetically, overcoming all the difficulties and obstacles in his path, and today he is one of the substantial agriculturists of Lee township.