BIO: John Wolf, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2010.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                               CHAPTER L. 

                           MIDDLESEX TOWNSHIP. 

500 	BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  JOHN WOLF, farmer, P. O. Middlesex, was born on the farm where he now 
resides July 6, 1834, and is a son of David and Anna (Corman) Wolf, 
natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent.  His grandfather John 
was reared in this county, and in 1803 bought the farm where our 
subject now lives, consisting of 160 acres, on which he made all the 
improvements.  He built a barn 100 feet long, which was destroyed by 
fire in 1819, and the same year he erected the stone one, 72x45 feet, 
which is still standing.  He also operated a distillery for a number of 
years on this farm, and hauled the whisky to Baltimore.  His wife was a 
very strong, healthy woman, being able to lift the barrels onto the 
wagon.  He was very successful in life.  He died in 1822.  David Wolf, 
his son, was reared on the homestead, and later bought two farms.  He 
owned 376 acres in this county, and 48 acres in Perry County.  He 
served as lieutenant of a rifle military company for many years; also

501 	MIDDLESEX TOWNSHIP.

held the office of director of the poor of the county for nine years; 
was also school director for a number of years; was in politics a 
Democrat.  He died in 1878.  Our subject was reared on the farm, and 
remained at home until twenty-three years of age.  January 8, 1857, he 
married Margaretta Wert, by whom he had one child - Joseph P. - who 
died at the age of ten years.  Mrs. Wolf died October 15, 1862.  After 
his first marriage he settled on the farm now occupied by his brother 
Joseph.  Here his wife died, and after her death he went back to the 
homestead and remained some three years, when, November 10, 1864, he 
married Catherine Wetzel, who bore him six children:  David H., Raymond 
S., Anna C., Mary E., Charles H. and Cora E.  After his second marriage 
Mr. Wolf located in Silver Spring Township, where he farmed three 
years; then moved to his father's farm in West Pennsborough Township, 
and remained four years.  In 1873 he bought the old homestead, where he 
has since lived.  In 1878 his house was totally destroyed by fire, and 
in the same year he built a large two-story brick residence, at a cost 
of over $3,000.  It has a 14-inch wall, and contains 67,000 brick.  It 
is a beautiful structure, and kept in neat order.  Mr. and Mrs. Wolf 
are members of the Reformed Church.  He has held the office of school 
director; is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 598, of Silver 
Spring; has held all the offices in his lodge, and is now filling the 
chaplain's chair.  At present he owns 125 acres.  On his farm there is 
a sand bank which yields very fine sand.