My Genealogy Hound

S. P. Wolfe, numbered among the best known agriculturalists of Union county, deriving his income from a neat and valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres situated on section 23, Grant township, was born in Ashland county, Ohio, on the 27th of March, 1853. Almost his entire life, however, has been passed in Iowa, for he was brought to this state in 1855 by his parents, Michael and Leah (Casey) Wolfe. He lived for sixteen years in Washington county and in 1871 came to Union county, where he has since made his home. The father was a native of Virginia but was married in Ohio. He devoted his entire life to the occupation of farming and thus provided for his family, which numbered eight children, six of whom reached years of maturity. Of this family Simon P. Wolfe was the second in order of birth. Following his removal to Iowa, Michael Wolfe carried on general agricultural pursuits in Washington county. He entered land from the government in Grant township, Union county. His last years were spent in Keokuk county, Iowa, where he died at the age of fifty-one years, while the mother passed away in 1866, at the age of thirty-nine years.

S. P. Wolfe was largely reared in Washington county and after his removal to this county in 1871 he worked by the month as a farm hand through the summer seasons, while in the winter he taught school for several years. He afterward returned to Washington county in 1875 and remained for seven years, his time being divided between educational work and general farming.

In Keokuk county, Iowa, on the 15th of June, 1876, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wolfe and Miss Annie Anderson, a native of Union county, Ohio, who afterward became a resident of Keokuk county, when her father removed with his family to Iowa. Following his marriage Mr. Wolfe engaged in farming in Keokuk county for seven years and then came to Union county. His well directed labor and energy combined with careful expenditure in former years had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase here one hundred and twenty acres of land. He located his farm on section 25, Grant township, and made his home thereon for eight years, when he sold that property and bought two hundred acres on section 35. It also remained his place of residence for eight years, on the expiration of which period he sold out and bought where he now lives, having here two hundred and forty acres of land. This he has largely improved and has sixty acres fenced with hog tight fence. Everything about his place is kept in excellent condition. He has built a barn, has remodeled the house and has secured the latest improved farm machinery to carry on the work of the fields. He also raises Poland China hogs and Duroc Jersey hogs and for several years has engaged in feeding cattle. He manifests in his business a persistency of purpose which has been the strong feature in his success and deserves much credit for his prosperity, which has all been won through his own labor.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe have been born seven children, five sons and two daughters: Myrtle, now the wife of Ed. Jacobs, a farmer of Worth county, Missouri; Wayland, who is on the home farm with his father; Fred, who married Hattie Griep; Frank, who married Nora Walker and is a twin brother of Fred, with whom he is associated in farming interests in Highland township; Otha, Leland and Nellie, all at home. Myrtle, Fred and Frank all graduates of the Shannon City high school and to the other children Mr. Wolfe has given excellent educational privileges, thus well qualifying them for the practical and responsible duties of life.

The parents attend the Methodist Episcopal church of Shannon City, of which Mrs. Wolfe is a member. Mr. Wolfe belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge of Shannon City, in which he has filled all of the chairs, has also been district deputy grand master and a delegate to the grand lodge. Both he and his wife are connected with the Rebekah degree in which she has held all of the offices and has also been district deputy. Mr. Wolfe likewise belongs to the Woodmen of the World and is ever loyal to the beneficent and helpful spirit which forms the basis of these organizations. While he casts an independent local ballot, he gives his political allegiance to the democracy where questions of state and national importance are involved and has frequently been a delegate to the county conventions and is now democratic committeeman of his township. He has filled the office of township assessor for two years, was township trustee for seven years, has also been school director and is now serving as secretary of the school board. His public service has been characterized by untiring devotion to the general good. He is a man whom to know is to respect and honor, for no trust reposed in him is betrayed in the slightest degree and in business he manifests a reliability that has made his an honored name.