Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
MARTIN VAN BUREN WOLF. Although, doubtless, most people would like to remain on the old homestead where they "played away the happy hours of innocent childhood," but few are permitted to do so, from one cause or another but there is always a sentiment about the hearthstone where the family gathered when we were children that cannot be replaced. So one who, like Martin Van Buren Wolf, one of the venerable farmers of Washington township, Greene county, and one of the oldest native-born citizens of this locality, is fortunate enough to spend his life at his birthplace, is to be envied, and, no doubt, being a fair-minded man, he-fully appreciates the privilege. He has labored hard to keep the old farm well tilled and improved, so that it has retained rather than lost its original strength of soil, and the dwelling has been carefully looked after and guarded.
Mr. Wolf was born in the above named township and county, on the spot where he now lives, December 21, 1840, nearly seventy-four years ago. He is a son of David and Nancy (McCoy) Wolf. The father was a native of Hawkins, county, Tennessee, and was reared on a farm in that state, and there received a common school education and married there, and in an early day he made the overland journey in a wagon to Greene county, Missouri, experiencing a number of hardships en route. Here he entered forty acres from the government, which he cleared and farmed, and, prospering with the years, he added to his original holdings until he owned a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, having, cleared most of his land and improved it himself. Here he became an influential citizen. For some time he served the people of his community as justice of the peace. Early in the war between the states he joined Company E, Third Missouri Cavalry, under Captain Thorson and Colonel Green, and served gallantly as a soldier in the Confederate army, but unfortunately took sick about the close of the war, and died in Arkansas, after having seen considerable hard service, including a number of engagements and a few of the important battles. Politically, he was a strong Democrat, and religiously he belonged to the Baptist church. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born reared and educated in eastern Tennessee. She was a member of the Baptist church. Her death occurred at the home of our subject some thirty years ago.
To David Wolf and wife seven children were born, named as follows: Mary M., who is living in Webster county, Missouri; Martin V., of this sketch; James Huston, who was a soldier in the Civil war, was taken prisoner and killed; Mrs. Louisa Jane Goskill is deceased; Robert Marion, who was a soldier in the Civil war, was captured and killed; Mrs. Margaret E. Bateman lives in Webster county, this state; Lafayette Jefferson is making his home, in Christian county, Missouri.
Martin V. Wolf grew to manhood on the farm and he received his education in the district schools. He joined the Confederate army in the fall of 1861, in the same regiment and company as his father--Company E, Third Missouri Cavalry, in which he served most faithfully and efficiently until the close of the war, taking part in a number of important campaigns and battles; including that of Jenkin's Ferry, and the, battle of Independence, Missouri, in which he was wounded. He was with the troops that surrendered at Jackson Fort, Arkansas, where he was discharged, and about a year later he returned to the old home place, and he and his brothers ran the same for their mother until her death. Our subject then bought the farm, which consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, but later sold eighty acres. He has made a success as a general farmer and stock raiser.
Mr. Wolf was married on September 8, 1867, in Arkansas to Lydia E. Suttle. She was born in Virginia on October 20, 1845, a daughter of Edward J. and Minty (Whitsel) Suttle, both of whom were born in Virginia and died in Arkansas. The father was a farmer. He served a few months in the Civil war but died of measles while in the service.
To Mr. and Mrs., Wolf six children have been born, namely: Nancy M. is deceased Mrs. Alice Jane Johnson lives in California; Mrs. Mary Susan Hooper is living in Montana; Minty M. is deceased; David E. is deceased, William Martin is living in Greene county.
Politically, Mr. Wolf is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Baptist church. He has lived to see his community develop from the wilds to a fine farming section, and he is one of the most widely known men in the township.
[1750-1751]
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