MAJ. WILLIAM WOLFE, deceased. In the history of the city of Cairo, no event, perhaps has occurred which caused such universal gloom and sorrow as did the sudden and wholly unexpected death of Maj. William Wolfe, which took place Thursday, January 4, 1883. The Major was born on the 24th of January, 1832, near Williamsport, Penn., where he spent his childhood. His parents removing to Williamsport, he there grew to manhood; at this place was formed the friendship between himself and Charles O. Patier, which ripened into a mutual attachment, and continued until his death. In 1855, Maj. Wolfe went to St. Louis, where he became the general manager in the house of Baker, Mills & Co. This position he held until the civil war broke out, when, with the assistance of Mr. Patier, he organized a company for the Sixth Missouri Volunteers, in which he was Second and Mr. Patier First Lieutenant. With this command he served with credit three years, when, he was mustered out on his march to Atlanta, just after the fight of Resaca. He remained with the army, however, and was detailed as aid-de-camp to Gen. Jones, First Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, and went through to the sea. After the war, he returned to St. Louis, and was there appointed Major in Adjutant General's office, by Gov. Thomas C. Fletcher. After this and until 1866, he was engaged as clerk in the court house. In the last-named year, he came to Cairo at the solicitation of Mr. Patier, and accepted the position of book-keeper in the general business house of Messrs. G. H. Greeley & Co., whose house was then known as the New York Store, and located on Commercial avenue, corner of Nineteenth street. A year later, this firm changed to Greeley & Patier, and in 187 2 Mr. Wolfe took the place of Mr. Greeley, under the firm name now employed of C. 0. Patier & Co., which is one of the strongest and most respected in the country. In 1872, Maj. Wolfe married Miss Dulcina, daughter of Justice Otis A. Osborn, who, together with three sisters and one brother, survives him. Maj. Wolfe was a director of the Alexander County Bank, and an honorary member of the Delta Fire Company. In his death the business interests of Cairo suffer an irreparable loss, and society loses one of its brightest ornaments, and his wife, a devoted husband.
Extracted 31 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, pages 54-55.
| Cape Girardeau MO |
Union | |
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Pulaski | |
| Scott MO | Mississippi MO | Ballard KY |
