HENRY WOHLFORD, who is numbered among the pioneers of this county, has been a resident of Waddams Township since 1843, his homestead occupying a good location on section 4. The land which he now owns and occupies, was entered by him from the Government and was without improvements, with the exception of a small log cabin, of which he took possession, and lived with his family until he could provide them with a more commodious dwelling. He is fully acquainted with all the vicissitudes of life in a new country, and in common with his brother pioneers, labored and waited the slow, but sure development of Northern Illinois, and has lived to see his labors rewarded, and the once uncultivated prairie transformed into beautiful and valuable homesteads. He has been no unimportant factor in the bringing about of this satisfactory state of affairs, and can look back upon a well-spent life with the satisfaction which brings its own reward.

Mr. Wohlford is a native of Center County, Pa., and was born Dec. 9, 1811. His father, Philip Wohlford, a native of York County, removed to Center County after his marriage, and purchased a tract of timber land, where he cleared a farm, and there passed the balance of his life. His remains were buried in the cemetery at Rabersburg. Young Henry assisted his father on the farm until a youth of eighteen years, then learned the trade of a tanner, at which he served three years, and afterward worked as a journeyman fifteen months. Subsequently he established a tannery in Clinton County, where he operated until 1843, then selling out, turned his steps westward to Illinois. The journey was made via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Galena, where he hired a team, and was thus, with his wife and four children, conveyed to Waddams Township, in this county. He first rented a farm east of Cedar Mills, and the year following purchased the land included in his present homestead, and of which he has since retained possession, covering a period now of over forty years. It is hardly necessary to say that the labors of the first few years were continuous, and sometimes with doubtful results, but he per-severed through rain and shine, with the same courageous and persistent spirit, and the result now lies around him in cultivated fields and two sets of ample and substantial farm buildings. Mr. Wohlford has always been the encourager of whatever tended toward the religious and moral education of the people around him, and St. James’ Church is located on his farm.

The first crops which Mr. Wohlford raised on his land were conveyed laboriously by ox and horse teams to Chicago, the trip consuming eleven days, and the receipts not being sufficient to pay expenses. The next season he transported his produce to Galena, concluding not to patronize the future great city thereafter. Deer were plenty, as well as other kinds of wild game, and the family were never without the luxury of sweet, fresh meat. The advance of civilization, however, long ago drove the deer and the partridge from their hiding places, and so scarce have they become that their flesh is now considered a rare dainty.

The lady who has been the close companion and wise counselor of our subject for a period of over fifty years, was formerly Miss Catherine Wameldorff, and she became his wife Nov. 18, 1836. She is a native of Miles Township, Center Co., Pa., and was born Dec. 15, 1815. Her parents, Frederick and Barbara Wameldorff, were natives of Pennsylvannia. Mr. Wohlford and wife have had a family of ten children, who are recorded as follows: Elizabeth, the wife of Peter Roberts, is a resident of Clark County, Wis.; Joseph lives in Frontier County, Neb.; Amelia is the wife of Jacob Wauter, a resident of Iowa; Malinda, the wife of William Magle, resides on a farm in Franklin County, Neb.; Frank is farming in Redwood County, Minn.; Fayette married Miss J. Whittemore, and is farming in Waddams Township, this county; Charles lives in Oneco Township; Jane is the wife of Isaac Bechtold, of Harlem Township; Mary, Mrs. Ira Shippee, lives on a farm with her husband in Waddams Township; Wells, the youngest son, died in December, 1883, aged twenty-seven years.

Mr. Wohlford, upon first exercising the right of suffrage, was identified with the old Whig party, but upon its abandonment, cordially endorsed the principles of the Republicans, and is to-day one of their stanchest supporters. He and his estimable lady are members in good standing of the United Brethren Church, and enjoy the respect of all who know them.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 255