Adam Wolfe
ADAM WOLFE, a soldier in the American Revolution, was a collateral descendant of Gen. James Wolfe, killed while in command of the British forces at the capture of Quebec in 1759. He was born in Beaver county, Pa., Dec. 15, 1760, and settled in Richland county in 1815. The fighting spirit of Gen. Wolfe was reflected in Adam Wolfe who volunteered at the age of 18 as a private in Capt. James Wright's company of the "Youghegenia Militia" in 1778. He again served in 1780 as a private in Capt. Peter Fort's company of the York county militia. There were other periods of service during the war, but complete records are not available, according to Bellville historian, D. W. Garber, who compiled the information about him. In April, 1796, Adam Wolfe settled on four hundred acres of land in "Zweakley township, Allegania county" and his claim for the land, located on Connaconesing creek, stated that he had built a dwelling house and barn and cleared twenty acres of land on which he had "raised five crops of corn and five crops of small grain." On January 16, 1790, he married Rachel Oldham, a daughter of William Oldham, a pioneer merchant and cabinet maker of Beaver county. Wolfe was associated with his father-in-law in the general store and continued the business following the death of William Oldham. Ten children were born to Adam and Rachel Wolfe. All of them accompanied their parents to Ohio and all of them reached maturity and married. The Wolfe family settled near the center of Monroe township, in Richland county. The community where they settled was adjacent to a multiple road crossing where the town of Mechanicsburg was eventually platted. The town, later called Pinhook, had for many years a post office that was officially named "Six Corners." The Oldham-Wolfe account book shows that daily entries were continued after a brief interruption incident to their removal to Ohio, soon after the establishment of the Wolfe family in Monroe township. The entries read like a roster of the original settlers in the area. It is reasonable to conclude Adam was the first storekeeper at Six Corners for there is no record that he ever owned land or was ever in business in Newville, although he played a prominent part in the religious life of that growing village. Adam Wolfe was a member of Providence Baptist church in Beaver county, representing the congregation at the annual meeting at "Sharon on Shenango." He was the organizing influence in the formation of the Baptist church at Newville. Meetings for the organization of the church were held at the home of Adam Wolfe on May 19, 1825, and on June 4. The next meeting was in July "at the school house near Mr. Switzeres," according to records, and pastors were present from Mansfield and Owl Creek, North Brancy, who assisted in formalizing the constitution for the church. It was give the impressive name, the "Regular Baptist Church Called Zion in the Vicinity of Newville, Richland County." The church fathers soon reduced the name to the "Regular Baptist Church of Newville," and through the years the Rigdons and other controversial figures in the early ecclesiastical history of the community preached from the pulpit. Adam Wolfe, a staunch influence for unity within the church, was consistent in his beliefs and did not deviate from the fundamentals of his doctrine. The church, due to wide differences on the question of baptism, disintegrated at one time to the point of extinction. Adam assisted in holding together the congregation, and today descendants of original members attend the church. In the 1820's and 1830's, Newville was widely recognized for the "Grand Celebration" held on each Independence day. Great respect was shown the few old soldiers of the Revolution, and as the years took their toll a reverent attitude developed toward the last who remained as living links with the birth of American independency. Adam Wolfe, with patriotic pride, participated in these local celebrations which drew large numbers from the surrounding countryside. Adam died April 24, 1845, and Joseph Wolfe, a son, was executor of his estate. Rachel died April 19, 1836. The pioneer couple are buried in the cemetery at Newville. Joseph, the son, held township offices in Monroe. He was the father of the late Norman M. Wolfe, for many years judge of the Common Pleas court of Richland county. Norman M. Wolfe was a graduate of Greentown academy at Perrysville, and later taught at the academy with Dr. Sample. Among those descended from the Revolutionary soldier are Norman L. Wolfe, Richland county auditor, and Mrs. Grace W. Lahm, wife of Brig. Gen Frank P. Lahm, retired, children of Judge Wolfe. A prized possession of the county auditor is the flint lock rifle used by Adam Wolfe during his service in the Revolution.
From The Mansfield News Journal, July 26, 1953, p. 23