My Genealogy Hound

JOHN WOLF, the efficient Postmaster of Bangor, Pa., and a prominent business man of the place, was born in Upper Mt. Bethel Township, Northampton County, September 11, 1838, and is the son of William and Anna Maria (Van Horn) Wolf. He is of German descent, his ancestors having come from Baden, Germany, to the United States, settling in Bath, this county. Grandfather Philip Wolf emigrated to this country in an early day. He was a farmer and lumberman by occupation, and died in Bath in the year 1838. He was the father of six children, four sons and two daughters, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. The father of our subject, who was born near Bath, was a farmer by occupation. He was the father of fifteen children, fourteen of whom are living: Susan, John, Henrietta, Cornelia, Josephine, Emeline, Elizabeth, Maria, Franklin G., William J., Theodore, Sabina, Sallie A. and Ella. One daughter, Mary, is deceased. William Wolf was a Democrat in politics and was stanch in the support of his party, but never aspired to any office. He was a member of the Evangelical Church, of which he was a faithful and consistent member. His remains were interred in Bangor Cemetery.

Our subject was reared on his father’s farm, and received his education in the public schools of his native township. He remained with his parents until he attained the age of twenty, and afterward worked on a farm for two years. In 1860 he went into business for himself, buying out Jacob Englert, an undertaker and cabinet-maker of Bangor. He followed this occupation until a few years ago, when he was appointed Postmaster of Bangor by President Cleveland, and assumed charge of the postoffice at that place. For about two years, in 1888-89, he carried on a shoe business.

Mr. Wolf was united in marriage, January 5, 1861, with Miss Matilda Bach, a daughter of Joseph Bach, of Upper Mt. Bethel Township. They became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living: Lillie, the wife of Jacob F. Speer; Cyrus, who married Ada Jones; Oscar, married to May Flory, a daughter of Solomon Flory; Horace, who married Amanda Weaver, of Pen Argyl, and is assistant in the postoffice; Newton, who married Allie Bruch; and Edward and Hattie. Oscar is engaged in the furniture business, both wholesale and retail; and Newton has the undertaking business formerly carried on by his father.

In politics our subject is a stanch Democrat, and at one time was a candidate for the Legislature in the county of Northampton. He is familiar with, and takes great interest in, the labor question, and also the national issues in politics. He has served as School Director, and also as a member of the Council, and for three years has held the office of Assessor in Bangor. Socially he is a member of Bangor Lodge No. 565, F. & A. M. He is ever ready to extend aid in all matters of local enterprise, and is intimately associated with the growth and upward progress of his home locality.