David Wolff
DAVID WOLFF, grocer of Oak Ridge, is one of the leading citizens of that village. He was born in Washington township, Armstrong county, March 27, 1857, son of Solomon and Catherine (Christman) Wolff, both also natives of Washington township.
David Wolff, his grandfather, was one of the earliest settlers in Washington township, where he owned two hundred acres of land along the Allegheny river, opposite Mahoning. He cleared a large part of it, and died there at the age of seventy-two years. His wife was Polly Henry, and their children were: John; Jacob; Absolom; Daniel; Sarah, who married Benjamin Leasure; Betsy, who married Frederick Christman; Polly; Andrew, and Solomon.
Solomon Wolff, father of David, was a farmer, and died on the old Wolff homestead, Jan. 11, 1864. His wife who was Catherine Christman, died a few years previous. She was the daughter of John and Ann (Christman) Christman, pioneers of Washington township. Solomon and Catherine Wolff had four children, viz.: Sarah (deceased), David, John Wesley, and Catherine (deceased).
David Wolff was born and reared in Washington township, where he attended the common schools, and began life as a farmer. Later he engaged in coal mining. He resided in Washington township until June, 1882, when he moved to Oak Ridge in Red Bank township, where he has since resided, and he engaged in mining for thirty years after coming here. He also conducted a barber shop, and July 1, 1912, embarked in the grocery business at Oak Ridge, in which he is meeting with gratifying success.
On Dec. 25, 1877, Mr. Wolff married Jennie, daughter of Michael and Mary J. (Wolf) Fink, of Washington township, and granddaughter of Michael and Margaret (Early) Wolf, who were pioneer settlers of Pine township. Her maternal great-grandfather, Andrew Early, was a pioneer of Pine township, where he took up a large tract of land and where he died. A part of this tract is still owned by his descendants.
Mr. and Mrs. David Wolff were the parents of four children: Pearl, wife of Rolston Doverspike; Mary Willa; Jay Edwin, and Violet Ethel. Mrs. Wolff had conducted a millinery store at Oak Ridge since 1894, and has an excellent trade. The family are members of the M. E. Church at Oak Ridge, and Mr. Wolff is a member of New Bethlehem Lodge, No. 725, I.O.O.F., of the Junior Order United American Mechanics, and of the United Mine Workers. he is one of the school directors of Red Bank township, and served two terms as assistant assessor. In politics he is a stanch Republican.
Mr. Wolff and Mr. A. H. McArmich ere founders of the M.E. Church at Oak Ridge. As treasurer of the congregation, all the materials used in it�s construction were charged to Mr. Wolff, and the responsibility was a hard one. It is now entirely paid for and one of the finest churches in the county. Mr. Wolff is one of those energetic men who accomplish all they undertake and do, and do it well. He is public spirited and has made himself valuable as a citizen and office holder in his township and county.
Source: Pages 912 - 913 , Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed February 1999 by Nanci Michalkiewicz for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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