Biographies
from
The History of Otsego County, New York
1740-1878
D. Hamilton Hurd
Published by Everts & Fariss, Philadelphia
WOLF, Conrad - Oneonta
The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Oneonta,
Otsego County, June 11, 1802. He was youngest child,, in a family
of thirteen children, of Jacob WOLF and Margaret LEPARD, the
former a native of Germany, and came to this country when only
two years old with his father. His father was a Revolutionary
soldier; was taken prisoner by the Indians and carried to Canada,
and kept for six months, when with great difficulty he made his
escape, and came back to Fort Plain, where he joined his wife and
children, and during the latter part of the 18th century came to
Otsego County, and settled in what is now the town of Oneonta.
Of his large family of children, only one besides the subject of this
memoir, survives.
His father died March 4, 1819, aged sixty-eight years. His
mother died April 16, 1832, aged sixty-nine years.
Conrad spent his early life at home, and subsequently went to
Oneida, where he remained a short time, and at the age of twenty
years he went to learn the carpenter's and joiner's trade, which he
followed for some three years; and has since, down to three years
ago, worked at it, more or less, in connection with his farming,
and at the age of seventy-three years built a house, performing a
large part of the labor himself.
At the age of twenty-six he married Miss Catherine VAN WOERT,
of Oneonta, who was born August 20, 1809. Her father was an
early settler in this part of the county, and was among the pioneers,
and died in 1870.
Mr. Wolf's principal business through life has been farming. He
is known as a man of strict integrity and honesty of purpose; has
been consistent in his ways; has led a quiet life, and gained his
"bread by the sweat of his brow." It is this class of men that
makes an honest neighborhood, a thriving and industrious race of
people, and a representative nation.
Mr. Wolf was long identified with the Democratic party, but
latterly has been an ardent Republican, looking to principles and
not to party. He was radically opposed to human bondage, and,
therefore, was a warm supporter of the Union cause during the
nation's peril in the rebellion.
He is warmly attached to church interests, and has been
identified as a member for over forty years. First identified as a
member of the Lutheran church, but for the last five years a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife is a member
of the same church.
Mr. and Mrs. Wolf never had children to bestow their affections
upon and labor to support; but have, by adoption, a daughter,
Hannah, wife of Delos WHITNEY, now residing in Oneonta;
and as the eve of life approaches to her parents she is ever ready
to lend a watchful eye and a helping hand.
Mr. and Mrs. Wolf are now among the few who can look back,
through threescore years and ten, and see the various changes,
from the rude cabin to the present mansions of wealth and grandeur;
and who have built our schools and churches, and laid the
foundation for coming generations by examples of industry and
economy.--
Excerpt from History of Otsego Co., NY, opposite page 228