Abraham L. Wolfe
When Mr. Wolfe came to California and settled on a ranch in the vicinity of Santa Rosa, he brought with him a record as an agriculturist of over thirty-five years in several states to the east, and experience varied as it was useful, all of which has been invaluable to him, even though the manner of farming differs materially in the different sections of country.
Abraham L. Wolfe was born in Franklin county, Ohio, April 7, 1848, the son of J. H. and Mary (Altman) Wolfe, the former born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1821 (dying 19098), and the latter born in Westmoreland county, PA., in 1819, and passing away in 1863. When he was about seven years of age the parents removed to Indiana, and he was still in that state with his parents when, at the age of sixteen, he responded to his country’s call for men to come to her aid in putting down the rebellion. Under General Baker, in the One Hundred and Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, he saw active service for ten months, after which he was discharged at Louisville, Ky., and mustered out at Indianapolis, Ind. From there he returned to his home and resumed farming, but in the fall of 1865 he sold out his interests there, and going to Illinois remained there until removing to Iowa in March, 1866. His residence in the latter state was of short duration also, for in the following year he disposed of his interests in Benton county, Iowa, and removed to Nebraska, in the latter state being associated with a Mr. Fritz for two years. Iowa once more claimed his attention for three years, after which he again returned to Nebraska and remained there continuously for almost thirty years, of until coming to California in 1902. Having satisfied himself as to the possibilities and advantages of Sonoma county he shipped his household goods to Santa Rosa, and close to town he selected the ranch on which he has since lived, on Rural Route No. 5. His is one of the large ranches in this locality, comprising one hundred and forty acres, suitable for any crop the owner might favor, grains and fruits especially, and he has fifty-five acres in grain. Much of the balance of the land is used for pasturage for the fine stock which he raises, in addition to which he raises hogs, horses and red-poll cows. One of the most valuable features about the ranch is the beautiful redwood grove that is on it, containing one thousand trees that are ready for mill, each tree being worth about $40. Another advantage of this ranch over many others is its proximity to the railroad, which simplifies the shipping problem considerably in doing away with the usual long hauls of produce to market. In the yard near the residence stands a large oak tree that in former days this service as a meeting house. According to local history the first religious services in Sonoma county conducted by white people were held under this tree, Rev. Mr. Hudson officiating.
Mr. Wolfe’s marriage, in 1872, was with Miss Flora Courtright, who was born in New York state in 1854, that state also being the birthplace of her parents; both of the latter are deceased. The only child of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe is Avery Madison, born in 1873, and now associated with his father in the care of the ranch. Politically Mr. Wolfe is a Democrat, and has often been a candidate on that party’s ticket for local offices, in each and all of which he has served, efficiently, both in California and in other states that have claimed his citizenship. From his earliest boyhood he has been identified with the German Lutheran Church, the faith in which his father was reared, and he has never departed from his early teaching, being associated with the church of this denomination of Santa Rosa.
History of Sonoma
County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 111
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
May 13, 2012 Pages 780-781
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