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Author: janiejunk17
Surnames: Wolf
Classification: queries
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http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
My mother-in-law sent me this very old newspaper clipping from 1906. It was actually
falling apart in my hands so I scanned it, typed it out and put it away. If anyone could
send me the names of this man's seven children and grandchildren, that would be great.
Specifically, I am trying to tie him to Bessie Lee Wolf, born 1/18/1882. I believe she
is most likely one of his grandchildren - and my husband's great-grandmother.
Thanks!
--------------------------
Dr. Wolf - Obituary
Newspaper article by Rev. E. L. Frasier
(paper and date unknown)
It is fitting that more than a passing notice be given to the memory of one who has been a
prominent citizen and much in the public eye, and so intimately united with the history of
Morristown and Shelby County as to become a real part of history.
Jacob Grove Wolf, son of Dr. Jacob and Lydia Wolf, was born February 8, 1823 near
Holidaysburg, PA.
In the spring of 1834 when he was 11 years old his father removed from Pennsylvania and
settled at the place now called Hopeville, having purchased a flouring and sawmill on the
east Fork of Whitewater about midway between Brownsville and Arlington. The family
remained here but a short time. This property was sold in the spring of 1835 and a mill
and farm were purchased on Nolan's fork three miles north of Centerville in Wayne
County. They continued here about five years. In the spring of 1840 this property was
sold and a farm was bought on the Centerville Williamsburg pike about one mile west of the
former residence, where they lived until the death of the father April 29, 1844.
After the death of his father at which time he was 21 years old, he remained with his
mother on the farm two years until 1846. He attended the country schools from the time he
was old enough to begin. In 1835 his father sent him to a seminary at Centerville where
he received instruction from one of the most scholarly men and best educators of the day,
Samuel K. Houshour, who afterward was for many years a professor in Western Christian
University, now Butler College, Indianapolis. Two years he spent here as a student. The
winter of '37 and '38 he spent as a student in a school in Richmond, IN. In the
spring of 1838 his father sent him to ? Labor School near Lawrenceburg. In 1843, he
entered Indiana Asbury University, now DePauw, where he remained 3 years
In 1846 he was married to Miss Virginia A. Ricketts and settled in Hagerstown. To this
union was (sic) born seven children; three of these are living: Julia, wife of James
Punteney; Alma, wife of William Six; and Mrs. Agnes Bennett. His son Dr. R. Wolf, a
dentist, died Dec. 20, 1905.
There are six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Soon after his marriage he began the study of medicine. He attended two courses of
lectures at the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, graduating in March 1847 and commenced
practice in Hagerstown, ??? continued until June ?, we he came to Morristown.
In the autumn of 1856 he matriculated in the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia,
from which he graduated in 1857. Returning to Morristown he resumed the practice of
medicine and continued until the fall of 1867, at which time he was elected Clerk of
Shelby county circuit court, which office he held for four years. After his term of
office expired he resumed the practice of medicine, this time in Shelbyville.
In 1872 he returned to Morristown and continued there until his death occurred December
27, 1906. He continued in his practice until the year 1900 then he gave up the profession
he had followed 52 years with the exception of his four years in office as County Clerk.
He came to this place when the country was a wilderness and lived to see it reach a high
state of cultivation and improvement, contributing no small share to it.
The pioneer physician and the pioneer preacher had some experiences unknown to their
successors. For many years Dr. McGaughey and Dr. Wolf did most of the practice in this
region. There were (sic) no gravel roads, but much mud. The physician had many
opportunities to do good to his fellow men, especially among the poor. It has been said
the night was never too dark, the mud too deep or the weather too bad for Dr. Wolf to go
forth at the call of those needing his professional services, no matter how poor. Many
visits were made for which no charges were made. His cheery (sic) face and conversation
gave hope to his patients and proved to be good medicine. In his 53 years of practice he
ushered into life two or three generations and ministered to many hundreds in sickness,
endearing himself to the hearts of many.
Dr. Wolf was optimistic (sic) and his hopeful, cheerful nature brightened every circle he
entered. His genial manners and pleasant smile warmed and cheered many sad hearts.
The high esteem in which he was held by the physicians of Morristown was evinced by the
constant attendance and tender care they gave him in his last illness, visiting him many
times in the day and night and doing all that medicinal skill could do to alleviate his s?
and prolong his life.
His wife died in 1867. In March of 1869 he married Mrs. Elvra J. Winship of Rush County,
daughter of Osmyn and Nancy Robinson, with whom he lived in the enjoyment of great
domestic happiness until his death.
In the home circle he was at his best. His home habits were such as to mark him as a
tender loving husband and father and endear him to all within the circle. Here he will be
missed most and remembered with sweetest recollections.
Dr. Wolf was made a Mason in Greencastle in the year 1844 and at the time of his death was
one of two remaining charter members of Morristown lodge No. 193, Mr. W. W. Woodward being
the other, and now the only remaining charter member. He took the chapter degrees at
Richmond, IN, in the fall of the same year, 1844. In the year 1867 he took the council
and commandery degrees at Shelbyville.
He always felt a deep interest and took an active part in educational enterprises and was
a staunch friend of the public schools. He was a member and president of the board of
trustees at the time of the erection of the present brick school building.
In his early manhood Dr. Wolf associated himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church and
continued with that body of believers until 1861, at which time he withdrew from that
fellowship. On the 15th of March, 1897, he united with the Church of ?????? From this
time he took an active part in the work of the church and his talks and exhortations in
the prayer meetings were heard with pleasure and profit.
If Dr. Wolf had lived until February 8th he would have reached the ripe age of 84 years.
His has been a long, active and useful life.
He leaves to his wife and children the memory of an honorable and successful life well
spent and founded out of obedience loyalty and love to Jesus his Savior and the hope of
meeting again in the Father's house not made with hands.
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