WOELLHAF, Charles Adolph 1860 - 1948

WOELLHAF, NEUGEBAUR, SAUER, QUICK, FIRPO, DAHL

Posted By: Richard K. Thompson (email)
Date: 11/23/2011 at 17:29:25

Fairfield Daily Ledger
Saturday Feb. 21, 1948
Pg. 1 Col. 7

C.A. WOELLHAF, BUSINESS MAN 67 YEARS, DIES

Otto WOELLHAF, 86, an active business man in Fairfield for 67 years before his retirement last year, passed away at the home of his son last night. His death came at 7:35 p.m.

Last rites will be Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Hoskins funeral home with Dr. E. A. Piper in charge. Burial wil be in Evergreen cemetery.

The active business career of Charles Adolph "Otto" WOELLHAF began in 1883 when he purchased the restaurant from his brother-in-law, Herman NEUGEBAUR. At that time it was located at 108 N. Court.

Mrs. (sic. Mr.) WOELLHAF was born in Wittenburg, Germany, on March 14, 1860, and came to this country when he was 13 years old. He and his parents arrived in Burlington, Iowa, in 1873, and six years later the young man came to Fairfield to work in a bakery.

He was later employed by Phillip SAUER in a restaurant before purchasing his own cafe.

Mr. WOELLHAF moved his place of business from its original location to the Q Lunch Room, 408 N. Main street. He had a wide acquaintance among Burlington railway employees, carrying lunches to them for years. The trains stopped only a few steps from the retaurant door.

His business was closed last May when he fell on a basement stairway, crushing his shoulder and fracturing several ribs. He was taken to the Jefferson county hospital where he was a patient for some time.

Later he was taken to the home of his son, Charles WOELLHAF, 405 S. Main street, where he lived until his death.

The restaurant was closed for some time after Mr. WOELLHAF's injury, but it was later re-opened under new management.

Mr. WOELLHAF, small of stature, was known by many Fairfield residents. It is said that he never refused help to a needy person.

In young manhood he was united in marriage to Hilma Josephine QUICK, who preceded him in death November 7, 1945.

He is survived by two sons, Charles W. "Dutch" WOELLHAF, and Guy A. WOELLHAF, both of Fairfield; and a daughter, Mrs. Pauline FIRPO, Gary, Indiana. He is also survived by the following grandchildren, Wayne Scott, Mrs. Fred DAHL and Mrs. Marshall JOHNSON, all of Fairfield; Charles FIRPO, Gary, Indiana; and a great grandson, Frederick Scott DAHL.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes. I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Evergreen cemetery, Fairfield, Iowa. Old.P.108.