From "The History of North Washington" Published 1904

Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com)
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FRANCIS WOLFF 
	Francis Wolff is one of the most enterprising and intrepid pioneers 
of this western country, having been intimately acquainted with its 
development and the ways and times of early days, and is now one of the 
prominent men of the county of Stevens.
   Francis Wolff was born in Philadelphia June 15, 1833, the son of Henry and 
Charlotte (Nebel) Wolff, natives of Germany. They came to the United States,
the father having taken part in the revolution there and being in disfavor
with the king. Later he was recalled and settled up the estate of which he 
had been deprived and lived on the king's domain until his death. Six 
children were in the family, William, Henry, Carl, Francis, who is our 
subject, Annie and Augusta. Francis was well educated and at the age of
fifteen was apprenticed to a dry goods firm for five years, but as he loved 
independence he later threw off the restriction and came to the United States
and enlisted in the regular army. His regiment was sent to the Pacific coast 
in 1852 and was detailed to meet Governor Stevens of Washington at Fort 
Benton. Governor Stevens found supplies too short to accomplish his work, and
so called for volunteers to accompany Captain John Mullan. Only seventeen 
responded, our subject being with that number. The object of Captain Mullan 
was to find a practical route through the mountains, and fourteen months of 
most arduous search and labor were spent in this undertaking. In 1854 Mr. 
Wolff opened a mercantile establishment in The Dalles and later removed to 
Umatilla Landing where he was cleaned out by the Indians on the war path. He 
enlisted in 1855 to fight them and continued until they were subdued. He 
came to Colville in 1856 with a stock of goods and in 1858 the Indians,
agitated by the agents of the Hudson's Bay Company, tried to oust him, but 
he was given time to sell his goods. Later Mr. Wolff, with seventeen miners, 
fitted for the Fraser river gold fields, being the first in there, this being
in 1857. He took in goods and sold to Indians for gold dust and came out to 
The Dalles to fit up again. He sent word to his partner at Colville to meet 
him with the goods and stock at Okanogan lake, then called Soyers lake. At 
Fort Okanogan Chief Moses refused to cross Mr. Wolff at the Columbia river. 
Later, however, they crossed Mr. Wolff and party, but told him if he insisted
on going into the Fraser country there would be a fight. So a few days later 
they were attacked by the Indians and a continuous fight was kept up for two 
days and one night. Then the Indians moved on ahead, intending to waylay the 
Colville outfit. This they accomplished and confiscated the entire train of 
cattle and supplies.
   Mr. Wolff put in a claim to the government, but as it was done on Candian 
soil he could get no reinbursement. He fought his way on to The Dalles, going
to San Francisco. Colonel Wright asked him full particulars and knowing the 
truth of the matter promised to send soldiers back with him if he wished to
return. The next year he came back to Colville and has practically been here
since. He raised many cattle and one winter sent six hundred to the Newman
lake country to be wintered, but through carelessness of his man four hundred
died. Mr.Wolff has a half section of land, is now retired ,rents his property
and is one of the prosperous men of the valley. 
   In 1870 Mr. Wolff married Celeste, daughter of Daniel and Rosale Meraux,
natives of Scotland and Canada, respectively. Six children have been born to
this union: Kate, Charlotte, Frank, Lawrence, Percy and Lester. Mr. Wolff is
a strong Republican and has always been prominent in this realm. He was 
sheriff in 1862-3, was county commissioner one term, and has been probate
judge for two terms. Mrs. Wolff is a member of the Catholic church. 
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