TRUMAN OSBORNE WOLFE , was born in Gettysburg, Pa., August 30th, 1849. In 1854 he accompanied his parents to Illinois and settled with them in what is now known as Old Town, Polo, but then called Buffalo Grove. When he was twelve years old, he decided that he was able to take care of himself. He came over from Polo when but fifteen years of age, and began his business career as a clerk for J. W. Ambrose, who conducted a general store in what them comprised Milledgeville, or that which is now known as old town. He did his work so well when a boy that his employer put full confidence in him. He often left the store in complete charge of the boy and felt that every thing was as safe as if it was in his own hands. When he was but a very small boy, he had the ambition which all must have who succeed. As he so early began to earn his own livelihood, his school days were few. But he learned that which so many, with college educations fail to learn, - that if one hopes to succeed in life he must be honest, and punctual to meet all obligations, and have a purpose in life. It was in July 1865, that he begun work for Mr. Ambrose. In 1876, when Mr. Ambrose decided to sell out and go to Iowa, he know of no one he would rather have to succeed him than the young man whom he had known from boyhood and who had remained with his for eleven years. Anyone coming to the store to trade knew that at the hands of Mr. Wolfe, they would be treated in a perfectly honest manner. When Mr. Ambrose decided to leave, he therefore sold his business to Mr. Wolfe and J. F. Greenawalt. For nearly twenty-five years this firm did business in this little city. It has often been remarked that not an unkind word was ever heard spoken by one to the other. In fact, there were no dissensions as they worked together as one man. There is no business man now living in Milledgeville who was engaged in active business here so long as Mr. Wolfe. Beginning as he did as a clerk in an old town store, he watched with pride and pleasure the growth and development of our little city. He was one of the promoters of Milledgeville. Mr. Wolfe drew to himself a large circle of friends. When he greeted his friends it was with that warm hand shake which meant that he would do what he could to help them. It has been said that he helped all who were in need or ever applied to him for assistance, and many were his voluntary gifts. When starting in life he always listened to Mr. Ambrose and did just as his employer wished. As a boy he had great regard for his mother and was of great assistance to her until she died, - at which time he was twenty-one years of age. While in the employ of Mr. Ambrose he lived at his home and was thought as much of as if he had been one of the family. When Mr. Ambrose sold out. Mr. Wolfe had by strict concentration to business, strict economy and temperate habits, saved more than enough to pay for half the large stock of goods. He was married to Miss Emma Olmsted, daughter of the late Chester and Emeline Olmsted, of Milledgeville, October 5, 1875. Their home was blessed with two sons, Fay Osborne, who is nineteen years of age, and Ralph Emerson. Little Ralph died in July, 1893, when but eleven months of age. Mr. Wolfe was a public spirited man. He filled the office of treasurer of the town ever since its corporation until last spring. He also served as school trustee for fifteen years and as notary..... end of obit missing public for more than twenty-five years. His position brought him into close association with the people of this and surrounding communities. In a business transaction he always kept his word and was very prompt in meeting all obligations. At the side of his dying mother he promised her that he would live a Christian life, which promise he endeavored to fulfill to the last. He united with the M. E. church about 1877, while Rev. J. T. Cooper was pastor. He filled the office of trustee and that of steward and treasurer of the church ever since he united with it. For many years Mr. WOlfe had acted as usher in the church. Seldom has there been a meeting in the church, when Mr. Wolfe was not at hand to superintend the seating of the large crowd. Under his supervision all was quiet in the assemblage. He was a Mason of high standing and as devoted to Masonry and loved its principles, and succeeded in exemplifying its teachings. How often had he attended the funeral of a brother at some neighboring city, He was known for many miles around and there is no place in the circle of his acquaintance in which he did not have many, warm friends. He joined the Blue lodge of this place when he was twenty-one years of age. At his death he was a member of the Blue lodge, Milledgeville, No 345; Turian Chapter, No. 60 of Lanark; Sterling Commandery, No. 57; Freeport Consistory; Medinah Temple, Chicago; Easter Star, No. 170, of Mt. Carroll. He was also a member of the fraternal order of Mystic Workers of the World. Mr. Wolfe was camping at the Dixon Assembly where he had been in attendance during the sessions of the past four years. He and his family were tenting with A. B. Puterbaugh and family. He was in the best of spirits the day before his hour came. He had attended the concert in the evening and afterwards in company with his son, Fay, and Mr. Swigart, of Dixon, he had visited the tents of friends and returned to his own shortly after ten o'clock and retired. A little before midnight a moan was heard to come from his apartment. His companion and friends were summoned, physicians were called, but all to no avail. His hour had come, and just as these campers were about to strike tents and return home, his earthly house of this tabernacle or tent, was struck by death. At 2:20, he was not, for God took him. He leaves a father, Lewis Wolfe, seventy-six years of age, who lives in Sterling, a brother, a companion, son Fay, and many relatives and friends who mourn his untimely death. Had he lived until the 30th of August he would have been fifty-one years of age. The funeral was held from the home of the deceased, Friday afternoon at two o'clock. The Sterling Commandery, No. 57 Knights Templars, with the Blue lodge of Milledgeville in escort had the funeral in charge. The Sterling Commandery headed by the Sixth Regiment Band of Sterling, left the lodge rooms and escorted the Blue lodge to the home of the deceased where a short ceremony was held, and the cortege proceeded to the M. E. church where the funeral was held at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. F. L. Baldwin, of Lockport, Illinois, a very close friend of the deceased, assisted by Revs. J. J. Rapp and R. R. Teeter of this city, conducted the funeral services. The city was thronged with the many friends of the departed, some of whom had come for many miles to pay their last respects to one who had been a help in time of need in more ways than one. A quartet composed of Messrs. Chas. Johnson and Ray Freas, and Misses Phoebe JOhnston and Hattie Merriam sang several beautiful selections. When the services at the church had been concluded the cortege proceeded to the Bethel cemetery, two miles southwest of town, where the remains were laid to rest. The grave had been lined with white and most beautifully decorated with evergreens and flowers by the members of his Bible class. The mourning relatives and friends at the foot of the grave, the Masonic brethren with bared heads surrounding it, with the pastor and chaplain at the head, made a sight which will long be remembered by those present. At the close of the ritualistic Masonic ceremony, the pastor pronounced the benediction, and one of the most beautiful burial services was closed. Those of the Sterling Commandery, who were in the line of march were. Messrs. J. W. Platt, T. W. Beckwith, Prof H L. Chaplin, Dr. Frank Anthony, Wm. McCloy, Wm. Lawrie, Frank Cochran, C. L. Sheldon, D. L. Miller, Elmer Crawford, Robert Crawford, John A. Ladd, Chas. A. Clark, F. R. Taylor, Capt. A. H. Hershey, A. Richtmeyer, T. S. McKinney, Jud Decker, Geo. Smith, V. S. Ferguson, Chas, Windom, F. Button, W. H. H. Stewart, S. H. Keefer, C. M. Worthington, Amos Daveler, O. L. Miller, W. S. Street, J. H. Shaffer, E. K. Jenkins, Jacob Eisele. The following from the Freeport Consistory were also in the march: Messrs John Erfert, W. S. Lamb, C. G. Steffens, and Wm. Flachtmeier, of Freeport; Geo. Tallman, Henry Tallman, J. H Lafferty and John Grossman, of Lanark; G. W. Fleming of Chicago; Dr. R. P. Wales, Mt. Carroll. There were many beautiful floral tributes given by societies and friends. The Sterling Commandery gave a Maltese cross; the Eastern Star, a beautiful white star; the Blue lodge, of this city, a square and compass floral piece; the church officials, a beautiful pillow; the Mystic Workers, a cross; J. F. Greenawalt, a wreath; a pillow of pansies, from Clifford and Marjorie Smith; a pillow, Miss LaMoine Sunderland; Mr. Wolfe's BIble class, pink roses; J. W. Ambrose, dahlias and sweet peas; R. G. Shumway, a floral piece; Mrs. L. F. Eastabrooks, a beautiful string of pansies; and bouquets by many others. Among others who came from a distance to attend T. O. Wolfe's funeral, Friday were: Miss Bell Hunter and Mrs. Hollinger, O. F. McKenney, John Miller, Dr. Porter Wales, and J.Bushy, of Mt. Carroll; B. F. Brown, Charles Olmstead and wife and Miss Stella White, of Lanark; M. E. Schryver, W. G. Atkins and E. H. Clopper of Polo; George Fleming of Chicago; Mrs. G. W. Dicus, of Rochelle; H. E. Sipes, of Savanna; Chas. Bush, of Eagle Point; George W. Howe, Mrs. Riggs and daughter, Miss Fannie, of Morrison; Mrs. C. L. Swigert and son Roy, and Miss Minnie Fisher, of Dixon; Miss Elma Fisher, of Polo; J. W. Ambrose, of Nevada, Ia.; Mesdames Mattie Kauffman, Nellie Thorp and Gertie Buckley and Lant Olmsted and wife of Sterling; G. W. Stein and Miss Anna Beattie, of Chadwick. The funeral was without a doubt the largest that has ever been held in Milledgeville. Mr. Wolfe's life work is ended. He did his work nobly. The bereaved family have the sympathy of all extended to them. "He set as sets the morning star, which goes not down behind the darkest west, or hides obscured among the tempests of the sky, but melts away into the light of heaven."
Contributed by Karen Fyock - Undated Scrapbook Clipping