The Wolfe Family of Johnson County, Iowa

WILLIAM WOLFE, a farmer and stock dealer in Clear Creek township, post-office, Tiffin; was born in Knox county, Ohio, March 18, 1827; settled in Johnson county, Iowa, October 10, 1853, upon the farm where he now resides. He was married September 8, 1850, to Miss Hannah Colony, of Knox county Ohio, and they have a family of six children: Alice E., John C., Milton L., Mary A., William B. and Charlie. The family attend religious services at the M. E. Church, at Tiffin. Mr. Wolfe has been shipping stock for fourteen years. His average shipment of hogs has been about one hundred cars per year; his average shipment of cattle about twenty cars per year. Hogs and corn have been the principal products of his farm. He has some very fine horses of the Clvdesdale stock; he has a farm of 490 acres, 203 acres was his original claim. He was a member of the board of supervisors in 1860 and served three years; he filled the office of township trustee several terms. He is a democrat in politics. He is a brother of the Hon. L. R. Wolfe, representing Johnson county in the Iowa legislature. His father is living in Knox county, Ohio, at the ripe old age ofninty-two years and past.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LEWIS ORVILLE WOLFE

Among the well-to-do farmers of Johnson county who have become extensively interested in stock-raising is L. Orville Wolfe, who has been successful in his operations in a gratifying degree. He has spent his entire life in the county, having been born on Section 33, Madison township, in 1873, seventh child of Mahlon K. and Mary Elizabeth (Babcock) Wolfe, a sketch of whom appears in this work. The father is a native of Ohio and now resides in Iowa City, and the mother was born in Iowa. They have been residents of Johnson county since

In early boyhood Mr. Wolfe attended the district schools in Madison township, at the same time learning the details of farm work. Upon reaching maturity he decided to make farming his career and began operations on his own account. He has always been interested in stock and is a good judge of cattle and hogs. A few years since he sold his farm in the northwestern part of Madison township and bought 180 acres in Penn township, which he sold later and purchased his present farm of 240 acres in the same township, which is located two miles west of North Liberty. He has a large crop of corn each year, having about ninety acres planted in tins manner, and also lias about eighty-three acres of small grain. In 1911 he had thirty acres planted in oats, in two fields, from one of which lie had a yield of-ll bushels to the acre, and from the other, 35 bushels. His fall wheat yielded some 22 bushels to the acre. He has a high-grade line of cattle and keeps about 150 head of hogs. He is an expert judge of horses and has some nineteen head of high-grade Norman horses and colts, for which he has won a local reputation. He is a man of excellent business judgment and manager his affairs in a manner that insures his financial success. He is active in the councils

I'ii lip* iBHIl of the democratic party and takes great interest in the affairs and issues of the township, county, and state. He is one of the best-known men in his township and is popular with his many friends. The family have a high standing in the community, being prominent in social circles. They have a pleasant home in which they dispense a gracious hospitality.

Mr. Wolfe was married February 11, 1897, by Rev. Hickman, of the Church of God. to Miss Florence Moreland, youngest daughter of Alexander Moreland, of North Liberty. A sketch of Mr. Moreland appears within these pages. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe have three children: Floyd, born September 12, 1902. Mary, born May 30, 1903, and Edith, born September 5, 1903, all bright young people, and the last named is an especially beautiful child.

Mrs. Wolfe is a member of Purcella and King's Daughters. He is a member of the North Liberty Commercial Club.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MILTON MELVIN WOLFE

Milton M. Wolfe, of an old and well-known Johnson county family, was born on the homestead in Madison township, where his paternal grandfather settled in 1854. This is one of the oldest farms in the county and was developed and improved by successive generations of the "Wolfe family until the present day, when it is one of the best in the region. Milton M. is a son of Mahlon K. AVolfe, a sketch of whom also appears in this work, and the family is given further mention in connection with the sketch of Clarence K. Wolfe, also to be found in these pages. The grandfather, Captain Louis E. Wolfe, was born in Knox county, Ohio, being a son of Christopher Wolfe, a native of New Jersey and of German descent. Mahlon K. Wolfe now lives retired from active life, in Iowa City, the old home having been sold to his son Clarence K.

Mr. Wolfe of this sketch was educated in the public schools and reared to farm work. After attaining his majority he carried on farming near Fairfax, Iowa, seven years, then sold out there. In 1909 he purchased the Zeller farm of 108 acres on Section 13 of Penn township. He has forty-five acres of corn and is known as an energetic, able farmer. He has erected a modern residence, which is heated by a furnace and furnished with modern conveniences in every possible way. He makes a specialty of Norman horses and has a good breed of cattle and hogs as well. Besides this place he owns a 200- acre farm in Sanborn county, South Dakota, which is cared for by a tenant and is growing in value year by year. Like the others of his family, he has a keen business instinct and manager his affairs with good judgment. He is a democrat in politics and much interested in local affairs. He is also prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to the M. B. A., and the A. F. & A. M. of North Liberty. He and his wife are well-known socially, having a large number of friends.

In 1900 Mr. Wolfe was united in marriage with Miss Mae

Stoner, daughter of William Stoner, of North Liberty, and three children nave blessed this union: Myrle, Donald, and

Russell, all bright young folks and children of whom their parents are justly proud.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CLARENCE K. WOLFE

Maple Grove Farm is one of the oldest farms in Madison township, Johnson county, and its present owner and operator, Clarence K. "Wolfe, belongs to the third generation of his family who have occupied it and added to its value and productiveness. His grandfather. Captain L. Wolfe, located on this place in 1854 and took part in the pioneer activities of the region. The father, Mahlon K. "Wolfe, now retired from active life and residing in Iowa City, was formerly the operator of the farm above mentioned and has taken a prominent part in the life of the county. A sketch of his life appears in this work.

Captain L. Wolfe was born in Knox county, Ohio, April 22, 1825, and was a son of Christopher Wolfe, who was a native of New Jersey, born July 11, 1791. Christopher Wolfe was a farmer by occupation and died in 1888, when in his ninety-fourth year. He was a democrat in politics and served as county commissioner and justice of the peace. His wife died at the age of seventy-three years. Their eight children were: John, Mary Ann, George, Captain Louis E., William, Thomas J., Eliza, and Samuel C. Louis R.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.