ROLFE, Charles G.

ROLFE, STRONG, MCCOLLOM, VEBLIN, SHELLENBARGER, ROBINS, ADDINGTON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 3/25/2010 at 22:18:31

No history of Mitchell county would be complete without extended reference to Charles G. Rolfe, who was one of the honored pioneer settlers. He was born in Chelsea, Vermont, April 22, 1824. He pursued his education in the schools of that state and grew to manhood there. In early manhood, however, he went to the south, where he engaged in teaching school for three years, after which he returned to the Green Mountain state, where he continued to reside until 1851. He then determined to try his fortune in the middle west and left New England for Wisconsin, taking up his abode at Beloit, where he resided for several years.

It was in 1852 that Mr. Rolfe was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Strong, of Chelsea, Vermont, who passed away in 1865, leaving four children: Clara F., who is the wife of Dr. C. A. McCollom, of Minneapolis; Eugene S., who is a practicing lawyer of Eugene, Oregon; Ellen May, the wife of Thorstein Veblin, of California; and Sarah P., who married Hiram Shellenbarger, of North Dakota, deceased. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Rolfe was again married, his second union being with Miss Frances Robins, of Chelsea, Vermont, whom he wedded on the 8th of January, 1867. They became the parents of three children: Harriet, who married Dr. T. L. Dagg, of Chicago; Elizabeth R., who is with her mother in Stacyville, Iowa; and Mary Frances, the wife of Eugene M. Stevens, who is a vice president of the Illinois Trust & Savings Bank of Chicago and one of the prominent financiers of the Mississippi valley.

It was in 1857 that the father, Charles G. Rolfe, made his first trip to Mitchell county, Iowa, in company with his brother, Dr. B. F. Rolfe. The latter was born in Chelsea, Vermont, September 8, 1821, and became the pioneer physician of this section of Iowa. He was a man of fine personality, of splendid traits of character and of wide experience and marked ability in his profession. He had gone to California with the Argonauts following the discovery of gold upon the Pacific slope and at various periods in his life was connected with frontier interests. After coming to Iowa he took a most active and helpful part in the upbuilding and development of this section of the state. He was most public-spirited and aided in very large measure in the organization, development and improvement of the school system of the county and also in the upbuilding of the moral interests of the community through his support of the church. His sterling traits of character were many and all who knew him entertained for him the highest regard. His work was indeed of marked worth to the community in which he lived. He was united in marriage to Miss Emily Button, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and they became the parents of a daughter, Alice. Three months after her birth the wife and mother passed away and Dr. Rolfe afterward married Sarah Addington, of Stacyville, Iowa. Two children were born of that union but both died in infancy. Dr. Rolfe played so important a part in shaping the history and promoting the professional progress in his community that he deserves prominent mention among the most valued and honored citizens of Mitchell county.

As stated, Charles G. Rolfe and his brother, Dr. Rolfe, became prominent pioneer settlers of Iowa. The former, as the years passed on, extended his busi­ness interests, which covered a wide territory, bringing him into connection with some of the most prominent business men and financiers of the west. He held a seat on the Chicago Board of Trade for many years. He invested extensively in land in Iowa and he and his family spent many summer seasons in Stacyville. It was in this vicinity that he held large tracts of farm land. He was also prominently connected with the grain trade, operating large elevators at Kansas City and at Atchison, Kansas, when the Santa Fe Railroad was put through. His later years were spent entirely in Stacyville, where he lived after his retirement from a very active business career and one which contributed in marked measure to the world's work and progress. While a resident of Stacyville he used his influence in securing the building of the Illinois Central Railroad through this district and secured the right of way for the line.

Mr. Rolfe was a very active member of the Congregational church, in which he held various official positions in both church and Sunday school wherever he resided. His religious faith was a motive spring in his conduct. Important and extensive as were his business interests, he always found time to devote to his moral obligations, was present at his place in the church and made most generous contribution to its support. In politics he was a stanch republican and again he recognized his duty to the public by supporting those measures in which he believed. Although for many years he was not a permanent resident in Stacyville, his influence was always felt here from his first visit in 1857, at which time he made large investments in land. He spent much money in improving his farms, introduced the first binder into Mitchell county—one of the Woods grain binders —and otherwise set the pace of progress and improvement. His example was followed by many and thus his work was of the utmost value in bringing about the upbuilding and development of this section of the state. Honored and respected by all, no man occupied a more enviable position in business circles than Charles G. Rolfe, not alone by reason of the success which he achieved but also owing to the straightforward business policy which he ever followed. He was alert and energetic, readily recognized and improved opportunities, yet was never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any business transaction and his path was never strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes. His wife and daughter now reside at the old home in Stacyville which was begun in 1857. They are most highly esteemed, having long been recognized as social leaders in this section of the state and, like the husband and father, they are prominent in all good works.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, pages 165-167.