John Anthony Woolf was born July 31, 1805, in Westchester County, New York. He was the youngest child of Anthony Woolf and Phebe Weeks. Tradition had it that John Anthony’s father was also called John Anthony, but researchers have concluded that his name was probably Anthony. This Anthony was born in Mainz, Hessen, Germany, probably under a different last name. When he was just a young man he was forced to serve in the German army as a Hessian soldier and was brought to America to fight with the British forces against the Americans in the Revolutionary War. He had an argument with his superior officer and so deserted from the British side and joined the Americans, changing his name to “Woolf.”
John Anthony became an excellent shoemaker, making white silk and satin shoes for the aristocrats of New York. At times, before a big ball was coming off, he would have to work very hard to complete the ordered shoes, often working all night without sleep, except a snatch or two while on his work bench. In order to keep from sleeping too long he would place his hammer under his side so that in a short time it would start to hurt and wake him up. When the time came for him to marry his sweetheart, Sarah Ann Devoe, he made her wedding shoes. The couple was married on April 20, 1821.
In the 1830's John and Sarah Ann heard the Mormon missionaries, and they were converted, Sarah, being baptized two months prior to John in 1841. In 1842 he was made president of the branch in New Rochelle, New York. During the time they lived in New York they had six children. Our ancestor, Sarah Ann Woolf, was their second child. ( Not right)
In 1843 John took his family to join the Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois. They bought a farm which adjoined the farm of the Prophet Joseph Smith, whom they saw often. They knew him well and loved him very much. One day their small baby, John Anthony, was very ill. The Prophet came and administered to the child, promising that it would get well, and then he sent a nurse to help care for the child.
A son, Andrew, was born into the family while they were living here in Nauvoo. John Anthony and the prophet often rode together in the same buggy and entered their horses in the same races. On two occasions John loaned money to the Prophet and felt that it was a privilege to do so. Prior to his last imprisonment and martyrdom Joseph came to John Anthony and asked for a loan of five hundred dollars. When the Prophet asked what security he wanted John Anthony said, “None. Your word is all I ask.” The Prophet then turned to Willard Richards, who had accompanied him, and said, “Brother Richards, if I do not live to pay Brother Woolf back I want you to see that he gets his money.” The prophet was martyred soon afterward and the debt was cancelled.
John Anthony and his family of seven children left Nauvoo with the rest of the Saints, moving to Winter Quarters where they spent the winter in a log shack. All but two of them suffered from chills and fever. In the spring of 1847 they joined a wagon train heading west. They had four wagons, one of which Sarah Ann drove. One evening while they were camped down on the Platte River a great herd of buffalo came down on the opposite side of the river. They knew that if the buffalo continued in their course, stampeding across the river, their camp would be demolished. The men fired their guns at the animals with no effect whatsoever, so they loaded the big canon they had with them. When they opened fire with this canon the buffalo turned and ran along the river bank - a happy ending.
They arrived in Salt Lake City on October 6 1847, and John Anthony set to work building an adobe house in the Old Fort. He also helped to clear away the sagebrush and build houses for others. By slaughtering their work oxen the family was able to have enough meat for the winter.
About five years later John Anthony was called by Brigham Young to help settle Iron County. He traveled there and planted grain, planning to return for his family after the harvest. Due to prairie dogs and other pests he was only able to harvest forty bushels, and this he cut with his shoe knife. He came back to get his family, but they were destined not to return to Iron County. While camped on the banks of the Jordan River all their cattle were stolen and could not be recovered. Because of the delay in searching for the cattle and because of Sarah Ann’s poor health they fount it necessary to remain in the area for the winter.
In the spring they moved as far south as what is now called Mona. They built a nice home, but the Indians became so troublesome that they were again advised to move, this time to Nephi, where they would be safer. John Anthony moved his family, but before he could move the furniture the indians broke into the house and used it as a lookout, using it to shoot at people as they passed by. John was obliged to return and tear his house down, in order to prevent this menace.
While living in Nephi, three more children were born (two more having been born in Salt Lake), bringing the total to twelve children. They witnessed much trouble with the Indians during this time, including the Walker War.
Because their family was now large and water was scarce in Nephi, John Anthony and Sarah Ann decided to move to Cache Valley, where water was plentiful. They settled in Hyde Park in 1851 and helped to pioneer that area and to subdue the Indians. The only kind of horses that the settlers in that area had were small ponies, similar to Indian ponies. The first real stallion of any worth was owned by John Anthony Woolf, and it became the sire of quite a number of fine stock horses in Cache Valley, this new breed of horses becoming known as “Woolf Stock.”
Here in Hyde Park John Anthony served in the bishopric as second counselor. He was also Justice of the Peace, and he began again to make shoes for the people of the valley. He was a hard worker, kind and forgiving almost to a fault, and those in need were never sent away from his door empty-handed. He died of pneumonia November 7, 1881, at the age of seventy six, and was buried in the Hyde Park Cemetery.
1850 census:
1860 Census:
1860 census:
1870 census:
From LDS Biographical Encyclopedia
Woolf, John Anthony, Patriarch, was born Feb. 27, 1843, in the town of Pelham, West Chester county, New York. He is a son of John Anthony Woolf and Sarah Ann Devoe, and they emigrated to Nauvoo shortly after his birth. They were driven out with the rest of the Saints in 1846, wintered at Council Bluffs and crossed the plains in 1847, arriving in Salt Lake City in November. In 1852 the family moved to and settled at Willow Creek, Juab county, going to Nephi about two years later on account of Indian troubles. They helped build a wall around the town and remained there nine years, going to Hyde Park, Cache county, in the spring of 1861. There the subject hereof became acquainted with Mary L. Hyde and was married to her Dec. 31, 1866. In 1871 he went on a short mission to New York. He has filled a number of positions of honor and trust, among them superintendent of Sunday schools. In 1876 he became the husband of Celia Hatch. In the same year he filled a mission to the western States, laboring in Iowa and Nebraska, where he baptized fourteen persons into the Church. Returning he was appointed second counselor to Bishop Daises of Hyde Park and in 1887 went to Canada. In 1888 he was ordained Bishop of Cardston Ward by Apostle Francis M. Lyman, which position was held nearly seven years, after which he became counselor to President Charles O. Card of Alberta Stake, this position being held until 1899, when he was ordained a Patriarch by Apostle John W. Taylor. He has held the office of mayor of Cardston two terms and been postmaster there for four years, positions in which he gave general satisfaction.
More extensive bio:
Biography of JOHN ANTHONY WOOLF JR.
Typed by Kathleen J. Woolf Oct. 2002
A tradition handed down through generations of the “Woolf” family is to theeffect their first ancestor to come to American was John Anthony Woolf, or as believed
by some, Anthony Woolf, who was born Nov. 11, 1761 in Mainz, Hessen, Germany.
When a young man he was forced to serve in the German Army as a Hessian Soldier and
was brought to America to fight with the British, against the American forces in the
Revolutionary War. After arriving he had trouble with his officer, so he deserted the
British and joined the Americans and changed his name to “Woolf”
This information was given by Orilla Woolf Ashcroft, who upon the death of her
mother, was taken and reared by her grandfather, John A. Woolf Jr. and his good wife,
Sarah Ann Devoe and from whom she heard it related many times. Phebe A. Woolf
England has the same story written in her family record. She also had been told it when,
as a young girl, she would go and help do the washing for her grandmother, Sarah Ann
Woolf.
The following is taken from a letter written by another John Anthony Woolf of
2757 Sedgwick Ave., New York City, N. Y., dated 11 Nov. 1950. This relative is
the descendant of James Woolf, also a son of our first American Ancestor.
“We have the same story about him as you mentioned in your last paragraph, but
with pleney of frills added. One was that in deserting he swam the Harlem River in full
uniform, under fire, and landed on the Devoe farm with a bullet in his knapsack. As a
youngster I broke into the old Woolf farm house shortly before it was demolished,
looking for that knapsack and his sword. Our version had him an officer in the American
Army before the end of the war. At the end of the war Lewis Morris, signer of the
Declaration of Independence, brought him to his (Lewis Morris’) 3000 acre farm or
estate in Morrisania. He gave him employment and later assisted him to buy a farm.”
He married Phebe Weeks, born May 27, 1765 in New York City, Westchester
Co., New York and to them were born the following sons and daughters: Elizabeth, Ann,
Abigail, Sarah, James, Hannah, Andrew and John Anthony, who was the youngest and
who is the subject of this biography.
John Anthony Jr. was born 131 July 1805 at Westchester Co., New York. And on
30 April 1814 a daughter of John and Sarah Weeks Devoe of Pelham, Westchester Co.,
New York.
He was an excellent shoemaker and made white silk and satin shoes for the
aristocrats of New York. He made one pair as part of Sarah Ann’s wedding outfit. At
times, before a big ball was coming off, he would have to work very hard to complete the
ordered shoes, often working all night without sleep except for a snatch or two while on
his work bench. In order to keep from sleeping over-time, he would place his hammer
under his side so that in a short time it would start to hurt and wake him up.
In 1841 he and his wife joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints. He
was baptized by C. Wesley Wardle 20 July 1841 and 1842 he was made president of the
branch of New Rochelle, N. Y. During the time they lived in New York they had six
children as follows: Absalom, Sarah Ann, James, Hannah, Eliza, Isaac and John Anthony
3. Joining with other members of the church, John with his wife and 6 children moved
to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he obtained a farm joining that of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Here the baby, John Anthony, was taken seriously ill. Coming to the door one
day, the Prophet said, “I see you have a very sick child. ‘ He went in and administered
to the baby promising him that he would get well and then sent for a nurse to take of him.
John Anthony and the Prophet often rode together in the same buggy and entered
their horses in the same races. On two occasions he loaned money to the Prophet and felt
that is was a privilege to do so. Prior to his last imprisonment and martyrdom, he came
to John Anthony and asked for a loan of $500 and when the Prophet asked what security
he wanted, John Anthony said, “None, your word is all I ask.” The Prophet then turned
to Willard Richards, who had accompanied him, and said “Brother Richards, if I do not
live to pay Brother Woolf back, I want you to see that he gets his money.” The Prophet
was martyred soon afterward and the debt was cancelled.
At the expulsion of the Saints from Nauvoo, John Anthony took his wife and
children, who numbered 7 then, and moved to Winter Quarters where they spent the
winter in a log shack. The hardships of the winter caused disease to spread and all the
family, except two, suffered chills & fever. In the spring of 1847 the family left Winter Quarters and journeyed westward with the Saints in Capt. Edward Hunter’s Co. John Anthony was a member of the first ten (Henry I. Doremus, Captain), the 2 50 (Jacob Foutz, Captain), and 2 hundred.(Edward Hunter, Captain with Jacob Foutz and Joseph Horne associate captains of 50’s).
Families comprising the first ten were: Jacob Foutz, Jacob F. Secrist, Henry I. Doremus,
Samuel Merrill, William Scearce, Leonard Stump, Isaac Leany, John Anthony Woolf,
William Laney & Abraham Boswell. (This information was given to Ada E. Morell
personally by Church Historian Andrew Jenson in 1934.)
John Anthony sold his farm to get the money to fit himself out to cross the plains.
He had 4 wagons with 2 yoke of oxen on each of the 3 wagons and a span of horses on
the other. The last one was driven by Sister Woolf.
One evening while they were camping on the Platte River, a great herd of buffalo
came down on the opposite side. Captain Hunter ordered the men to fire on them, but
their guns had no effect, so they loaded the big cannon. When the cannon opened fire the
buffaloes turned and ran along the river bank. Had they crossed over they would have
demolished the camp. The company arrived in Salt Lake City Oct. 6, 1847. As soon as possible John Anthony built an adobe house in the old fort. He also helped to clear away the sagebrush
and built houses for others. By killing their work oxen, they had enough meat for the
winter. The family stayed in Salt Lake City for about 5 years. Brother Woolf was then
called by Brigham Young to go and help settle Iron Co.
He went there early in the spring of 1852 and built a house, planted and raised a
crop of grain. Due to prairie dogs and other pests, he harvested but 40 bushel, this he cut
with his shoe knife. He then returned to Salt Lake to get his family, but they were
destined NOT to return to Iron Co.
They started on their journey, but one night, while they were camping on the bank
of the Jordan River, they turned the cattle out to feed, and thieves drove them more than
30 miles away. The 2 older sons, Absalom and James were sent to hunt them. They
went without bedding and were gone 2 weeks. Upon their return they told the following:
At night they held their horses and used their saddles for pillows. The coyotes were so
thick and came so near that the boys could hear their teeth snapping. Had they not held
onto the horses, the coyotes would have chewed the lariats and let them go. This delay,
together with winter setting in and Sarah Ann’s poor health, made it necessary that they
remain and build a home on the Provo River for the winter. Here they suffered a great
many hardships.
In the Spring they moved as far south as what is now called Mona. Here they
remained at the request of Pres. Young. They built a comfortable home, acquired a farm,
and a choice herd of cattle and sheep. The Indians stole most of the cattle and sheepo
and became so troublesome that they were again advised to more. This time to Nephi,
where they would be safer for the winter. Before the furniture could be removed, the
Indians broke into the house and used it as a look-out from which they shot at people as
they passed. They demolished the furniture and ripped oped the feather beds, cattering
feathers everywhere. John Anthony finally tore down his house to keep the Indians from
using it as a place of ambush. Many times when the Indians opened fire on the men, the
women would take their children and run to the meeting house. When they were safe
inside, the men would surround it to protect them.
On Sunday, old Batice, brother of Walker, the Indian Chief, came to the meeting
house unaware by the people, and gave a great war whoop. He had 6 or 7 warriors
stationed near the door and told the people to come on out, but instead one of the men
told him to tell his warriors to go away or they would kill him right there. This
frightened them and they went away and were never seen again.
John Anthony Woolf was ordained as Pres. Of the 19 Quorum of Seventy of Nephi in
1855. His home in Nephi was built in the old fort with the corrals in the center. This did
not suffice to keep the Indians out so the inhabitants built a wall around the houses. This
wall was a mile square and 12 feet high, with 2 gates, one in the north and one in the
south connected by a street running through the center of the city. While here they
witnessed all of the Indian troubles, including the Walker War.
The Indians had killed four men . They were on their way to Salt Lake to sell
their grain. They then sent a runner to the remainder of their small company (7 Indians)
to tell them not to go into town if they valued their lives, but by the time the runner had
reached there, the Indians had already gone into town and had been killed. John Anthony
took one squaw with a boy who was 9 years old, home with him, gave them their supper
and put them in the shanty for the night. In the morning they were gone as he expected.
Their family was now becoming numerous and as water was scarce in Nephi,
John A. and Sarah Ann decided to move northward. In the spring of 1861 they arrived in
Cache Valley and settled in the little town of Hyde Park. Here they became actively
engaged in helping pioneer this country and subdue the Indians, as well as helping to
supply the civic and religious needs of the fast growing population. In the year 1863 a
combination meeting house and school house was built of logs. Thomas Slight was the
first school teacher. They also had a public corral where all the stock of the settlers was
kept at night, and guarded as a precaution against the marauding Indians. During the day
the cattle were driven to the foothills to graze. In 1864 some forty families had settled
there.
The following paragraphs were copied from an article printed in the Jim Bridger
Centennial edition of “The Logan Journal” in 1924.
“The early settlers of Cache Valley had only small animals for riding and driving
purposes; horses similar to the Indian “Cayuses” or ponies seen today. In these days all
heavy work in the fields or canyons and on the highways was done with oxen. A horse
weighing a thousand pounds was considered extremely large. It was not long, however,
before members increased and the breed began to improve. The settlers purchased
animals from traders who came through the valley with bands of horses. Before long
draft horses began to displace the oxen on the farms. The first stallion of worthy mention in the valley was the Woolf horse owned by John A. Woolf of Hyde Park. Some emigrants passing through Bear Lake Valley about 1860 were forced to dispose of one of their mares on account of lameness. The owner sold her to a Dr. Ellis of Bear Lake, stating that she had been bred to an exceptionally fine stallion. When the mare foaled a horse colt, Dr. Ellis raised it and having much confidence in Mr. Woolf’s ability as horseman, turned the young stallion over to him as
caretaker. Later Woolf purchased it and it became known as the Woolf horse or
Sampson. The horse proved to be an outstanding individual and developed into a very
potent size of draft animals. He was, without question, the most valuable stallion in the
valley for a number of years and produced many fine draft horses. His was mostly roan
in color and were short and stocky with plenty of action, in fact, the blood of some of the
best grade draft stock in Cache Valley today can be traced back to this animal. It has also
been said that John A Hambleton brought a stallion from him from Nauvoo for breeding
fine horses.”
From a written history of Hyde Park, we learn that “By July 1860 sixteen families
were settled near the Springs and Apostle Ezra T. Benson, then president of the Stake
with Peter Maughan, the acting Bishop, organized a settlement and named it Hyde Park,
out of respect to William Hyde, who was called to act as Bishop, but was not ordained to
the office until Oct. 27, 1872. Patterson D. Griffeth and Simpson M. Mollen were chosen
first and second counselors with Brother Wm. England as Ward Clerk”
In the spring of 1861 John A. Woolf and family settled here, and later he was
chosen to succeed Patterson D. Griffith, who through press of business was released.
Simpson H. Mollen was chosen first counselor and John A. Woolf second counselor.
He was also Justice of the Peace of Hyde Park. Here again his trade, that of a
shoemaker, was put to good use as he supplied most of the townspeople with shoes for
many years. His granddaughter Orilla, said that many times at night she would hold the
candle, while he made tiny wooden pegs with which to tack the soles on.
Being a farmer and stock raiser, he provided a good living for his family. He
always had a good garden and kept vegetables fresh for the winter by storing them in a
pit. He built a smokehouse, where he did an excellent job of curing meat. Thus his
storehouse was kept filled. He was kind and forgiving almost to a fault and those in need
were never sent away from his door empty handed.
He was a faithful pioneer and a real Latter-day saint. Being deeply religious he
read his Bible everyday. In stature he was short and slender, wore a beard and quite long
hair. He died of pneumonia Monday 7 Nov. 1881 at the age of 76. He was buried in the
Hyde Park Cemetery.
His children were:
1. Absalom born 4 Feb 1832 at Pelham, Westchester, New York.
2. Sarah Ann born 2 July 1834 at Pelham, Westchester, New York.
3. James, born 22 July 1836 at Pelham, Westchester, New York.
4. Hannah Eliza born 5 Nov 1838 at Pelham, Westchester, New York.
5. Isaac born 9 Feb 1841 at Pelham, Westchester, New York.
6. John Anthony born 27 Feb 1843 at Pelham, Westchester, New York.
7. Andrew born 15 Feb 1846 at Nauvoo, Illinois.
8. William Henry born 2 Nov 1846 at Salt Lake City, Utah
9. Phebe Elizabeth born 23 Jan 1851 at Salt Lake City, Utah.
10.Harriet born 11 Oct 1853 at Nephi, Utah.
11.Homer born 10 Oct 1855 at Nephi, Utah.
12.Wallace born 21 Mar 1858 at Nephi, Utah.
NOTE; This biography was compiled and written in 1935 by Phylis Ashcroft (Scholes),
and Mildred Daines from information given to them by their Aunts Orilla Woolf
Ashcroft, and Phebe Woolf Gibson, as well as other living members of the family.
MS 7028 Church Historical Department
Letter to Phebe Woolf (his mother)
Spelling and punctuation has not been changed.
Pottawattamie Nation Feb. 19, 1847 Council Bluffs
Dear Mother and Sisters this day finds us enjoying a good degree of health with the exception of little Andrew he is not very well. We think that he is getting teeth. We received a letter from Father Devoe’s folks about the 6 of Dec. Having several dollars in it, which you wished me to inform P. Young and others. Matters which I have answered in letter dated near the last of Dec. Which I expect will come to hand before this one does, if it does not this will certify that we are in comfortable circumstances, which you will find I more fully described in a former letter which I speak of since I wrote before there has an unhappy circumstances occurred in our family. Little John has had his finger cut off, the middle finger on the left hand. It was not cut completely off, but hung by a little strand (?) underneath the finger the 2 adjoining fingers seemed good Very bad but not serious to come off we rapped up the finger that was nearly off as well as we cold and splintered it but the end busted and I took it off h is finger well it is best off about the first joint from the end Hannah Eliza was cutting some bark from a steak knife John took hold of the bark unperceived by her and she hacked the knife down upon his fingers We were always pleased to hear from you and specially to hear of your good health we are making preparations for to years to California we shall start probably some time in May we expect to cross the mountains in the warm part of the season I have understood from men that have traveled the road that we now are within two days travel of the buffalo country there is plenty of buffalo Men have for sale it is fat and good some think better than the tame cattle I wish that Andrew would send me all the money that he has collected of mine as I am going along journey and I know not what may happen me by the way and I know not how much expense I may be to before I may again get settled upon a farm but when I got settled I expect to have a farm that will be of some account I had in the State of Illinois a splendid which was worth not less than three thousand dollars but by those Whestove” oppression I have been obligated to sell it for the small sum of 700 dollars I had my choice to sell it or to be driven off from it without any recompense this is the way that this people have been treated they must sell for what their enemies please to give them or be driven off from their possessions without any recompense but I have just said much to you concerning those matters more than I wished to there will be a day of reckoning when men will have to account to him who shall judge those who dwell upon the earth in righteousness we are to be judged according to the deeds done while we are in the body think you that man can force me from my possessions and then get down upon their knees and make a good long prayer and be forgiven and if you think so I do not they in the first palace must make things right with me otherwise this wrong stands against them we feel happy and as the Apostle said take joyfully the spreading of our goods you no doubt have heard that after we had pretty much all moved from Nauvoo all but about 100 men and many of them without teams on account of lean provisions and could not well get away just at that time the Mob came with all their force that they thought would be sufficient to frighten those good men and their families from their homes some had a house and lot and if they could have sold it could have got away the mob came in with 1,000 men with 6 cannon and demanded the surrender of the city unconditionally the brethren although few in number refused to deliver the city and themselves and families into their hands the Mob then drew up their cannon and commenced to fire upon the city the brethren had prepared some cannonballs which they lobbed out of the shaft of an old steamboat which they returned upon the mob then drew up their whole forces and...a general attack with all these forces and a general struggle ensued the battle lasted for several hours I have heard the time but have forgotten but at any rate they commanded the city 7 days in which the mob lost 150 men and the Mormons 3 however the brethren agreed to surrender up the city to the mob provided they would not injure them or their property and give them a chance to dispose of their property and get away which they agreed to do and in two days marched into the city with 1200 men having raised 200 more. If you have received the other letter you find that I wished you to direct your letter to Abraham Boswell and the reason why I did so if you send money direct the letter to him for the post master may open the other letter and say that there was money in it. Direct your letters to Atchison County Austin post office Missouri. The family all send their love.
Signed John A. Woolf
(Some of the spelling I changed and spaced sentences.) Typed into computer 10 Oct 2002
Kathleen J. Woolf in Idaho Falls, Idaho
A copy of the Indenture of the sale of the farm of John A. Woolf and Sarah Ann his wife.
#7656 Woolf to Elliot Recorded 18 March 1846
This indenture made and entered into this 28 Feb. In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six, between John A. Woolf and Sarah Ann his wife of the County of Hancock and State of Illinois, of the one part, and Daniel Elliot of the County of Adams and State aforesaid, of the other part. Witnesseth that the said John A. Woolf and Sarah Ann his wife for and in consideration of the sum of seven hundred dollars to them in hand paid. The receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged do hereby grant bargain sell convey and confirm unto the said Daniel Elliot his heirs and assigns forever all that tract or parcel of land situate and being in the County of Hancock in the State of Illinois Viz: the South East quarter of section four (4) of Township six North in Range eight West of the fourth principle Meridian containing one hundred and sixty acres. Together with all and Singular the apprentices there untobelonging or in any wise appertaining. To Have and to hold the above described premises unto the said Daniel Elliot his heirs and assigns forever. And the said John A. Woolf and Sarah Ann his wife their heirs and assigns the aforesaid premises unto the said Daniel Elliot his heirs and assigns against the claim or claims of all and every person whosoever do and will warrant and forever by these presents defend. In testimony whereof the said John A. Woolf and Sarah Ann his wife of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written. Signed Sealed and delivered in presents of John A. Woolf (LS) and Sarah Ann Woolf (LS)
Typed into computer 11 Oct 2002 by Kathleen Jardine Woolf Idaho Falls, Id.
John A. Woolf and Sarah Ann Devoe State of Illinois Hancock Co. Oct.
Be it remembered that on this 17 day of March A. D. 1846 personally came before me,
George W. Thatcher, Clerk of the Co. Commission Court of said county, Benjamin Hill and Mary his wife, who are personally known by me to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing deed of conveyance and did severally acknowledge that they executed the same for the uses and purposes therein mentioned. And the said Mary Hill having been by me made acquainted with the contents of said deed and examined separate and apart from the husband acknowledged that she executed the same fully voluntarily and without compulsion of her husband. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at my office in Carthage this day and year above written.
Signed George W. Thatcher Clerk
By B. Horn Deputy
Austin Mo. March 11 Mrs. Phebe Woolf 10
Manoir of Fordham West Farms
West Chester County
State of New York
Typed into computer Oct. 2002 Kathleen Jardine Woolf Idaho Falls, Idaho
Title
The Woolf call (Woolf Family Organization)
Authors
Woolf Family Organization (Salt Lake City, Utah) (Added Author)
John Anthony Woolf Family Organization (Added Author)
Eliason, Max (Added Author)
Woolf Family Organization (Salt Lake City, Utah) (Subject)
John Anthony Woolf Family Organization (Subject)
Notes
Semiannual through 1975, with irregularities in earlier years. Annual, beginning in 1976.
Editor: Max Eliason; Hal K. Campbell; John M. Woolf; William L. Woolf.
Issue numbers rarely appear on issues, but are sometimes referred to in the text.
Beginning date of publication estimated per information found in the (Nov 1978) issue. Publication ceased with no. 22 (May 1981) as per correspondence with editor.
Published: Salt Lake City, Utah; Bountiful, Utah.
The Woolf Family Organization has headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1974, it was officially chartered as the John Anthony Woolf Family Organization, and declared a non-profit organization in 1975. Annual reunions are usually held in August at Hyde Park, Cache County, Utah.
Periodical for the interchange of genealogical data and history of the family of John Anthony Woolf I (1805-1881), who was the last son of Anthony Woolf and Phebe Weeks. Anthony Woolf was probably known as Peter Anton Wolff (b. 1761) in his homeland Mains, Germany. Anthony was a Hessian soldier, sent to America to fight for the British during the Revolutionary War. After his discharge, he stayed in America and settled in Pelham, New York. In 1831, Anthony's son, John Anthony Woolf married Sarah Ann Devoe (1814-1905), who was the daughter of John and Sarah Devoe of Westchester, New York. John and Sarah Ann joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1841. They had twelve children born from 1831-1861, i.e. Absalom, Sarah Ann, James, Hannah Eliza, Isaac, John Anthony II, Andrew, William Henry, Phoebe, Harriet, Homer, and Wallace. They moved from New York State to Nauvoo, Illinois in 1843. In 1846, they left Nauvoo for Council Bluffs, Iowa, and later crossed the plains to Utah. The Woolf family lived in various towns within Juab, Cache, Iron, and Utah Counties until in 1861, they settled in Hyde Park, Cache County, Utah. During the 1800's, some of their family moved to Alberta, Canada. Later descendants also lived in British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario (Canada), the Azores, Germany, Greece, Iran, and in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., Wisconsin, Wyoming, and elsewhere.
Not yet available in PERiodical Source Index (PERSI) at this time. (17 Feb. 2006)
"An index of the descendants of John Anthony Woolf and Sarah Ann Devoe" was also published by the Woolf Family Organization. In this periodical, it is called the index, but it is not an index to this periodical. It is a family history with lists of descendants of John Anthony Woolf and Sarah Ann Devoe.
Includes Wolf, Wolfe, and Wolff as variant spellings.
Also includes Bake, Bates, Blush, Bradley, Brown, Caldwell, Devoe, England, Follett, Gibson, Hambleton, Hamblin, Harker, Hatch, Hurren, Hyde, Lopez, Lyon, Miller, Neel, Quist, Reeder, Reese, Rollins, Shelton, Sprague, Squires, Tanner, Waite, Weeks, Wood, and other related families.
Library lacks: No. 1 (1959); no. 2 (Feb 1960); July 1963; no. 4 (1968); January 1973; and probably other issues.Description based on: November 1963 issue.
Filmed with a special supplement (1981) of another periodical entitled, "Wolf call" published by the Ludwig Wolf Family Organization.
From Nauvoo Records:
Birth 31 Jul 1805 , Westchester, New York, USA Gender Male Baptized (LDS) 20 Jul 1841 Endowed (LDS) 10 Jan 1846 NAUVO Residence Pottawattamie, Pottawattamie, Iowa, USA [11] Buried Nov 1881 Hyde Park, Cache, Utah, USA Died 7 Nov 1881 Hyde Park, Cache, Utah, USA Person ID I28236 Early Latter-day Saints Last Modified 07 Feb 2007 Father Anthony Woolf Mother Phebe Weeks Sealed P (LDS) 14 Aug 1925 Family ID F17273 Group Sheet Family 1 Sarah Ann Devoe, b. 10 Apr 1814, Fordham, Bronx, New York, USA , d. 29 Mar 1905, Hyde Park, Cache, Utah, USA Married 30 Apr 1831 , Westchester, New York, USA Sealed S (LDS) 6 Jun 1856 Children 1. Isaac Woolf, b. 9 Feb 1841, , Westchester, New York, USA Family ID F3565 Group Sheet Family 2 Mary Ann Atkins Married 1872 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA Family ID F10321 Group Sheet Family 3 Elizabeth Gibson Married 7 Nov 1881 Hyde Park, Cache, Utah, USA Family ID F17272 Group Sheet -
Event Map Map data ©2009 Google -Event
Married - 1872 - Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA = Link to Google Maps = Link to Google Earth Pin Legend = Address = Location = City/Town = County/Shire = State/Province = Country = Not Set -
Notes - PROPERTY:
T6R8, Sec 4, SE, 160 Acres
NAUVOO RECORDS:
Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, p 133
70's Record
Members, LDS, 1830-1848, by Susan Easton Black, Vol 47, pp 588-592
HISTORY/HISTORIES:
Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, pp 1262-1263
Nauvoo Data Bank, 2 pp
Sketch of the Life of Isaac Woolf , 3 pp
Name transcribed from the Iowa Branches Members Index 1839 - 1859, Volumes I & II by Ronald G. Watt. Historical Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1991. Copyright by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Note: Stated in record above, "Priesthood: Bishop, 17 July 1846, V. 1 p. 4"
- PROPERTY:
-
Sources - [S33] LDS - Seventies: Early Seventies, Black, Harvey Bischoff, Compiler and Editor.
- [S6] LDS - Membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:1830-1848, 50 vols., Black, Susan Easton, Compiler, (LDS Church, Salt Lake City, 1990), 1830-1848, by Susan Easton Black, Vol 47, pp 588-592.
- [S71] Database - Nauvoo Databank, , 2 pp.
- [S7] LDS - Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (1845-1846), , p 133.
- [S19] Book - Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, 2 vols, Esshom, Frank, (Salt Lake City: 1913), , pp 1262-1263.
- [S492] Internet Link - "A Room of Round Logs with a Dirt Roof: Ute Perkins' Stewardship to Look after Mormon Battalion Families, Eugene H. Perkins and Waldo C. Perkins, (Mormon Historical Studies, Vol 1, No. 1, Spring 2000), Mormon Historical Studies, Spring 2000, p. 61-72.
- [S12] Internet Link - BYU Winter Quarters Project - http://winterquarters.byu.edu.
- [S13] Internet Link - Pioneer Research Group Project - http://www.pioneerresearchgroup.org.
- [S10] Periodical - The Nauvoo Journal, (Salt Lake City, Utah, 1989-1999), Hunter/Foutz Company, 1847.
- [S28429]
- [S3] LDS - Iowa Branches Members Index 1829 - 1859, Volumes I and II, Watt, Ronald G., (Historical Department Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1991,).
JOHN ANTHONY WOOLF AND SARAH ANN DEVOEJohn Anthony Woolf was born 31 July 1805 in Westchester County, New York. John was the 8th and youngest child of Anthony Woolf and Phebe Weeks. His father, Anthony Woolf, was a naturalized Hessian Soldier, his mother Phebe Weeks, was American born. Few intimate details are known of John’s early life. Much can be deduced, however, from the nature of his environment and his attitude and work in later life. His father became an extensive landowner and prosperous farmer. Westchester County at the time was essentially a rural community; nearby New York City provided a ready market for rural commodities such as grain and beef. The city was near enough to the Woolf home in Pelham to permit, if not to require, frequent visits to the city for business or cultural reasons. Here, one saw in the spacious harbor the ships of all trading nations, and on its wharfs sailors from many foreign lands. Merchandise from the manufacturing centers of Europe and Asia were brought here to exchange for the raw products of fabulous, free America. John’s father, with the advantages of his European background, had made friends in high places; Among those friends were those who had been active in the recent Revolutionary War.Having been raised on a farm, in a farming community, it is to be assumed that John was well trained in the practical methods of farming and stock raising. But also, doubtless under the influence of his prudent German-born father, he acquired a trade. He became a shoemaker of great skill, catering particularly to the trade of the well-to-do in the city of New York. Shoes in those days, like suits of clothing, were made to order, rather than selected from well-stocked shelves containing shoes standardized in length, width, and quality. L Thus, John was not only acquainted with the hard labor of the farm, but knew the skill of a fine trade and enjoyed the acquaintance of men in commerce, banking, and manufacturing at a time when all Americans were imbued with a fervent nationalism, a great passion for liberty, and optimism for the future of America.
On 30 April 1831, at the age of 26, John married Sarah Ann DeVoe, the lovely daughterof a former French Huguenot family which had fled France to avoid religious persecution, and had greatly prospered in America. This young couple had much in common. The families of each had suffered European inhumanities. John’s father had been illegally inducted and forced to serve in the Germany Army. Sarah Ann’s family had left a beloved home land and had chosen a strange new untamed country in order to maintain their religious conviction. Both families had not only found freedom in the new land, but had prospered also. In addition, the time in which they lived bred courage and idealism. Nationalism ran high following the Revolutionary War. Liberty was on every tongue and a great optimism gave spur to action.
By 1843, John Anthony and Sarah Ann were the parents of 6 healthy children, Absalom, the oldest, was 11, John Anthony II, the youngest was born 27 Feb. Of that year. Though not wealthy, they had not wanted, in fact they had done well, having learned the lessons of thrift and frugality from their respective prosperous parents. In the year 1841, John Anthony and Sarah Ann had listened to the teachings of the Mormon missionaries. In Mormonism, Sarah Ann saw the ideals which her forefathers had fostered for generations. Her ancestors had been devout followers of Jesus Christ as taught by the holy scriptures, but they did not accept the churches that attempted to speak in his name. In Mormonism, she found restored that which had been lost in existing churches through departures from the simple scriptures. Sarah Ann’s religious nature is manifest in the names given their first five sone: Absalom, James, Isaac, John and Andrew. She accepted the teachings of Mormonism with all the deep religious devotion of her Huguenot forefathers.
John Anthony, being a little older, coming from a less religious background, and perhaps being more aware of the impact on their future lives of accepting the new religion, took a little longer to accept, but once having accepted, never turned back. They were baptized in 1841 and at once began planning their future as active members of their new-found faith. They planned to close that happy chapter of their lives in Westchester and join the body of the Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois, at their earliest convenience. During 1842, John served as president of the New Rochelle Branch of the Church. In 1843 they, with their 6 children, departed from their home and friends of childhood and set out on the long journey to Nauvoo.
The trip to Illinois was made partly by canal boat and partly by river boat. The Woolf Family arrived in Nauvoo in the sporing of 1843. “Nauvoo the Beautiful,” or “Nauvoo, the City of the Saints” was the home of the prophet Joseph Smith; it was already the largest city in Illinois and rapidly growing–a city where righteousness was to abound, and the blessings of the Lord were to be made manifest in abundance. Missionaries were going out and missionaries were returning. Saints were arriving from England and from the Eastern States. The temple was under construction, and new organizations were being formed as needed to perform the functions of a rapidly-growing church and a rapidly-growing city. There was much for the Woolf family to do. A temporary home must be found, a farm purchased and cultivated, new contacts and acquaintances made, and church work done. All this fortunately left little time for John and Sarah Ann to brook over the dear friends and scenes of childhood they had left far behind or to nurse the deep hurt in their hearts over the estrangement that had sprung up between them and their beloved close relatives on the occasion of their joining the church of their choice.
The spring of 1843 found Nauvoo in perhaps its most enjoyable era. The efforts of the Missourians to harass the Saints in Illinois had borne little fruit, and the Illinois persecutions had not yet matured. John Anthony purchased a lovely farm 2 miles east of the city, thus preserving the pattern of a rural home, but near a city where its commercial and cultural advantages could be obtained. What pleased John and Sarah even more was the fact that their farm adjoined that of the Prophet Joseph, with whom they became intimately acquainted and whose humanity, simplicity, and intelligence as a friend seemed wholly compatible with his profile as a prophet.Unfortunately , this taste of heaven on earth was not to last. The Illinois persecution burst into flame and the prophet was murdered on the 27 June 1844. The perpetrators temporarily fled for cover, while the city and people fell into a depth of gloom seldom experienced on this earth. However, the gloom was short-lived. The prophet had not only foretold his death, but had provided for his succession. The temple was completed, persecution was renewed, and by agreement, to avoid bloodshed, the saints started leaving Nauvoo in Feb. 1844 by crossing the Mississippi and turning to the vast uncharted wilderness in the West. Andrew, the 7th child of John Anthony and Sarah Ann, was born in Nauvoo on Feb. 15 of that bitter year. As soon thereafter as possible, the Woolf Family also crossed the Mississippi with their wagons and oxen, to be swallowed up, as far as the then settled part of America was concerned or be merged with the coyotes, buffalo and Indians beyond the setting sun. Winter found them at the Missouri River, where at Winter Quarters John built a log house to shelter his wife and 7 precious children. They spent a difficult winter plagued with chills and fever, but their lives were preserved. They were able, as so many were not, to resume their journey in the spring. They continued westward with the Edmund Hunter Co., arriving in Salt Lake City, 6 Oct. 1847.
John built an adobe house in the old fort to house his family, and assisted others with their building. They survived the winter by eating the oxen that had pulled their belongings across the plains. They remained in Salt Lake 5 years, after which time they were called by Brigham Young to help settle Iron Co. In the early spring of 1852, John Anthony left for Iron County, where he planted crops and built a house. Due to pests and other adverse conditions, he harvested only 44 bushels of grain. Nevertheless, he returned to Salt Lake for his family in the autumn. At an early encampment on the Jordan River on the return journey with his family, thieves drove away their cattle. So much time was lost in finding and retrieving them that is was impossible to reach Iron Co. Before the winter storms, so John built a house for the winter on the Provo River. But now Indian trouble broke out; Indians stole most of the cattle and sheep. On advice from others, John moved his family to Nephi, returning only to tear down his house, which the Indians were using as a cover from which to shoot at passerby.
John Anthony built a new home for his family within the fort in Nephi and lived there during the years 1856-60 inclusive. Indian troubles and drought sapped their strength and discounted their efforts. In 1855 John was set apart as a Pres. Of the 19 Quorum of Seventies. While the family was hard-pressed materially, they were blessed spiritually and enjoyed unity and good health. In March 1858, their youngest child, Wallace, was born; he was their 12th. Because the family was now so large and the material rewards of their labor insufficient to maintain their family (because of Indian trouble, drought, and pests), they moved North in 1861 to Cache Valley, settling in the community which became known as Hyde Park, named after its first bishop and leading citizen, William Hyde. There was virgin land here, a plentiful water supply, and while there were some Indian problems, they were less consuming of the settlers’ time
John Anthony and Sara Ann started all over again, as they had done so many times before, to build a home for themselves and their children. It was now just 20 years since they had joined the Church in New York. They were 20 years older and 20 years wiser, poorer in goods of this earth but blessed with a family of healthy, able and obedient children. Herein was their treasure. Because of the children, the Lord had not let them labor those 20 years in vain.Farming requires back-breaking labor even on a cultivated farm. It is much more difficult on a new farm where sagebrush has to be removed, fences built to keep the owner’s cattle in and stray cattle out, ditches surveyed and excavated, head gates installed, the land plowed, leveled, cultivated, seeded and irrigated. A farm house has to be built, corrals made, barns and sheds erected and a garden plot prepared and seeded. John and Sarah Ann, with their children, some of whom were now old enough and experienced enough to help, faced this colossal task with courage and with as much vigor as their age would permit. Within a few years, they had another home, a flowing well, barns, pens and pastures, horses and cattle. John introduced a new breed of horses into the community known as the Woolf Stock, a medium-sized horse of great strength and good action what was ideal as an all purpose horse on western farms and ranches.
The family was expert and ingenious in making the most of what could be raised on the land or be had in the local area. They made soap and lye from wood ashes, molasses from red beets; they carded and spun wool, and from the yarn made knitted clothing and stockings. From cow and horse hides they made ropes, bridles, harnesses, and, of course, shoes. John was a reliable source of shoes wherever he lived. His granddaughter, Orilla, tells of having many times held a candle for him at night after a hard day’s work while he cut miniature wooden pegs foir tacking on the soles of shoes. They made preserves and jam from berries, from small fruits, and even from vegetables. They maintained a good vegetable cellar and made a smokehouse, where they could smoke dry meats. By their ingenuity and labor they always seemed to manage to have some food on hand. The needy were never turned away empty-handed. Their house was a beehive of activity and a gathering place for their children and their children’s friends.
John was spared to enjoy his new home for 20 years. He died 7 Nov. 1881 at 76 years–50 years after his marriage, and 40 years after joining the church. Sarah Ann lived to age oif 90. She passed away 19 March 1905.
More than a century has passed since this courageous couple in middle age faced up to the task of building a home for their family on virgin land. This process held no surprises for them. They had built themselves homes on the Mississippi and on the Missouri, in Salt Lake City and Iron County, on the Provo River, at Mona and in Nephi. In commencing anew in Cache Valley, they were no longer young in body but were young in heart. Love of their children, love of the gospel, love of each other, love of God, and love of mankind kept them young. It left them no place to stop, it kept them going.
John Anthony Woolf and Sarah Ann DeVoe were a couple who, while still young, left prosperity for principle and set an example of obedience, dedication to a cause, ingenuity and courage in difficulty, frugality, and endurance that inspires and unites their descendants, gives them a feeling of belonging to each other, a desire to do their best under all circumstances, and to so live their lives as to justify their noble parents in the choice they made when they entered the waters of baptism in Westchester County in the year 1841.
Typed into the computer 11 Oct. 2002 by Kathleen Jardine Woolf, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Material taken from the John Anthony Woolf book published 1986. A tremendous book about these noble people. Our thanks to the ones who worked so hard on the book, who are gone now.
JOHN ANTHONY WOOLF, PATRIARCH, born 27 Feb. 1843 in Pelham, West Chester Co., New York. Son of John Anthony Woolf and Sarah Ann Devoe, and they emigrated to Nauvoo shortly after his birth. They were driven out with the rest of the Saints in 1846, wintered in Council Bluffs and crossed the plains in 1847, arriving in Salt Lake City in Nov. In 1852 the family moved to and settled at Willow Creek, Juab Co., going to Nephi about 2 years later on account of Indian troubles. They helped build a wall around the town and remained there 9 years, going to Hyde P ark, Cache County, in the spring of 1861. There the subject hereof became acquainted with Mary L. Hyde and was married to her 31 Dec. 1866. In 1871 he went on a short mission to New York. He has filled a number of positions of honor and trust, among them is Superintendent of Sunday Schools.
In 1876 he became the husband of Celia Hatch. In the same year he filled a mission to the Western States, laboring in Iowa and Nebraska, where he baptized 14 persons into the church. Returning he was appointed 2nd counselor to Bishop Daines of Hyde Park and in 1887 went to Canada. In 1888 he was ordained Bishop of Cardston Ward by Apostle Francis M. Lyman, which position was held nearly 7 years, after which he became counselor to Pres. Charles O. Card of Alberta Stake, this position being held until 1899, when he was ordained a Patriarch by Apostle John W. Taylor. He has held the office of mayor of Cardston 2 terms and been postmaster 4 years, positions in which he gave general satisfaction.
Information taken from Vol. 2, No. 2, page 17 of Biographical Encyclopedia Typed into the computer by Kathleen Jardine Woolf 11 Oct 2002 Idaho Falls, IdahoA copy of the Indenture of the sale of the farm of John A. Woolf and Sarah Ann his wife. #7656 Woolf to Elliot Recorded 18 March 1846
This indenture made and entered into this 28 Feb. In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six, between John A. Woolf and Sarah Ann his wife of the County of Hancock and State of Illinois, of the one part, and Daniel Elliot of the County of Adams and State aforesaid, of the other part. Witnesseth that the said John A. Woolf and Sarah Ann his wife for and in consideration of the sum of seven hundred dollars to them in hand paid. The receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged do hereby grant bargain sell convey and confirm unto the said Daniel Elliot his heirs and assigns forever all that tract or parcel of land situate and being in the County of Hancock in the State of Illinois Viz: the South East quarter of section four (4) of Township six North in Range eight West of the fourth principle Meridian containing one hundred and sixty acres. Together with all and Singular the apprentices there unto belonging or in any wise appertaining. To Have and to Hold the above described premises unto the said Daniel Elliot his heirs and assigns forever. And the said John A. Woolf and Sarah Ann his wife their heirs and assigns the aforesaid premises unto the said Daniel Elliot his heirs and assigns against the claim or claims of all and every person whosoever do and will warrant and forever by these presents defend. In testimony whereof the said John A. Woolf and Sarah Ann his wife of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written.Signed Sealed and delivered in presents of John A. Woolf (LS) and Sarah Ann Woolf (LS) Typed into computer 11 Oct 2002 by Kathleen Jardine Woolf Idaho Falls, Id.John A. Woolf and Sarah Ann DeVoe
State of Illinois Hancock Co. Oct. Be it remembered that on this 17 day of March A. D. 1846 personally came before me, George W. Thatcher, Clerk of the Co. Commission Court of said county, Benjamin Hill and Mary his wife, who are personally known by me to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing deed of conveyance and did severally acknowledge that they executed the same for the uses and purposes therein mentioned. And the said Mary Hill having been by me made acquainted with the contents of said deed and examined separate and apart from the husband acknowledged that she executed the same fully voluntarily and without compulsion of her husband.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at my office in Carthage this day and year above written.Signed George W. Thatcher Clerk By B. Horn DeputyAustin Mo. March 11 Mrs. Phebe Woolf 10Manoir of Fordham West Farms West Chester CountyState of New York Typed into computer Oct. 2002 Kathleen Jardine Woolf Idaho Falls, Idaho
From the John Anthony Woolf book:
John Anthony Woolf 1805 - 1881John Anthony was born July 31, 1805 at Westchester County, New York. On April 30, 1831, he married Sarah Ann Devoe.
John was an excellent shoemaker and made white silk and satin shoes for the aristocrats of New York. He made one pair as part of Sarah Ann's wedding outfit. At times, before a big ball was coming off, he would have to work very hard to complete the ordered shoes, often working all night without sleep excepting a snatch or two while on his workbench. In order to keep from sleeping over time, he would place his hammer under his side so that in a short time it would start to hurt and wake him up.
In 1841, he and his wife joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was baptized by C. Wesley Wardle on July 20, 1841, and in 1842 he was made President of the branch of New Rochelle, New York. During the time they lived in New York they had six children as follows: Absalom, Sarah Ann, James, Hannah Eliza, Isaac, and John Anthony II. Joining with other members of the Church, John with his wife and six children moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he obtained a farm joining that of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Here the baby, John Anthony, was taken seriously ill. Coming to the door one day the Prophet said, "I see you have a very sick child." He went in and administered to the baby, promising him that he would get well, and then sent for a nurse to take care of him.
John Anthony I and the Prophet often rode together in the same buggy and entered their horses in the same races. On two occasions he loaned money to the Prophet and felt that it was a privilege to do so. Prior to his last imprisonment and martyrdom, he came to John Anthony and asked for a loan of $500 and when the Prophet asked what security he wanted, John Anthony said, "None, your word is all I ask." The Prophet then turned to Willard Richards, who had accompanied him, and said, "Brother Richards, if I do not live to pay Brother Woolf back, I want you to see that he gets his money." The prophet was martyred soon afterward and the debt was canceled.
At the expulsion of the Saints from Nauvoo, John Anthony took his wife and children, who numbered seven then, and moved to Winter Quarters where they spent the winter in a log shack. The hardships of the winter caused disease to spread and all of the family except two suffered from chills and fever.
In the spring of 1847, the family left Winter Quarters and journey westward with the Saints in Captain Edward Hunter's company. John Anthony was a member of the first 10 (Henry I Doremus, Captain) the second 50 (Jacob Foutz, Captain) and second hundred (Edward Hunter, Captain with Jacob Foutz and Joseph Horne, Associates Captain's of fifties.) Families comprising the first 10 were: Jacob Foutz, Jacob F. Secrist, Henry I. Doremus, Samuel Merrill, William Searce, Leonard Stump, Isaac Leany, John Anthony Woolf, William Laney, and Abraham Boswell. (This information was given to Ada E. Morell personally by Church Historian Andrew Jenson in 1934.)
John Anthony sold his farm to get the money to fit himself out to cross the plains. He had four wagons with two yoke of oxen on each of the three wagons and a span of horses on the other. This last one was driven by Sister Woolf.
One evening while they were camping on the Platte River, a great herd of buffalo came down on the opposite side. Captain Hunter ordered the men to fire on them, but their guns had no effect, so they loaded the big cannon. When the cannon opened fire, the buffaloes turned and ran along the riverbank. Had they crossed over, they would have demolished the camp.
The company arrived in Salt Lake City on October 6, 1847. As soon as possible, John Anthony built an adobe house in the old fort. He also helped to clear away the sagebrush and build houses for others. By killing their work oxen, they had enough meat for the winter. The family stayed in Salt Lake City for about five years. Brother Woolf was then called by Brigham Young to go and help settle Iron County.
He went there early in the spring of 1852, built a house, planted and raised a crop of grain. Due to prairie dogs and other pests, he harvested but forty bushel. This he cut with his shoe-knife. He then returned to Salt Lake to get his family, but they were destined NOT to return to Iron County.
They started on their journey, but one night while they were camping on the bank of the Jordan River, they turned the cattle out to feed and thieves drove them more than thirty miles away. The two older sons, Absalom and James, were sent to hunt them. They went without bedding and were gone two weeks. Upon their return, they told the following:
At night they held their horses and used their saddles for pillows. The coyotes were so thick and came so near that the boys could hear their teeth snapping. Had they not held onto the horses, the coyotes would have chewed the lariats and let them go. This delay, together with winter setting in and Sarah Ann's poor health, made it necessary that they remain and build a home on the Provo River for the winter. Here they suffered a great many hardships.
In the spring, they moved as far south as what is now called Mona. Here they remained at the request of Pres. Young. They built a comfortable home, acquired a farm and a choice herd of cattle and sheep. The Indians stole most of the cattle and sheep and became so troublesome that they were again advised to move this time to Nephi where they would be safer for the winter. Before the furniture could be removed, the Indians broke into the house and used it as a lookout from which they shot at people as they passed. They demolished the furniture and ripped open the feather beds, scattering feathers everywhere. John Anthony finally tore down his house to keep the Indians from using it as a place of ambush. Many times when the Indians opened fire on the men, the women would take their children and run to the meetinghouse. When they were safe inside, the men would surround it to protect them.
On Sunday, Old Batice, brother of Walker, the Indian Chief, came to the meetinghouse unaware by the people, and gave a great war whoop. He had six or seven warriors stationed near the door and told the people to come on out, but instead one of the men told him to tell his warriors to go away or they would kill him right there. This frightened them and they went away and were never seen again.
John Anthony Woolf was ordained as President of the 19th Quorum of Seventy of Nephi in 1855. His home in Nephi was built in the old fort with the corrals in the center. This did not suffice to keep the Indians out, so the inhabitants built a wall around the houses. This wall was a mile square and 12 feet high, with two gates, one in the north and one in the south connected by a street running through the center of the city. While here, they witnessed all of the Indian troubles, including the Walker War.
The Indians had killed four men who were on their way to Salt Lake to sell their grain. They then sent a runner to the remainder of their small company (seven Indians) to tell them not to go into town if they valued their lives, but by the time the runner had reached there, the Indians had already gone into town and had been killed. John Anthony took one squaw with a boy eight or nine years old home with him, gave them their supper and put them in the shanty for the night. In the morning they were gone as he expected.
Their family was now becoming numerous and as water was scarce in Nephi, John A. and Sarah Ann decided to move northward. In the spring of 1861, they arrived in Cache Valley and settled in the little town of Hyde Park. Here they became actively engaged in helping pioneer this country and subdue the Indians, as well as helping to supply the civic and religious needs of the fast growing population. In the year of 1863, a combination meetinghouse and schoolhouse was built of logs. Thomas Slight was the first schoolteacher. They also had a public corral where all the stock of the settlers was kept at night and guarded as a precaution against the marauding Indians. During the day, the cattle were driven to the foothills to graze. In 1864, the town was surveyed into city lots and many trees were planted. By 1865, some forty families had settled there.
The following paragraphs were copied from an article printed in the Jim Bridger centennial edition of the "Logan Journal" in 1924:
"The early settlers of Cache Valley had only small animals for riding and driving purposes; horses similar to the Indian 'Cayuses' or ponies seen today. In those days all heavy work in the fields or canyons and on the highways was done with oxen. A horse weighing a thousand pounds was considered extremely large. It was not long, however, before numbers increased and the breed began to improve. The settlers purchased animals from traders who came through the valley with bands of horses. Before long, draft horses began to displace the oxen on the farms.
The first stallion of worthy mention in the valley was the Woolf horse owned by John A. Woolf of Hyde Park. Some emigrants passing through Bear Lake Valley about 1860 were forced to dispose of one of their mares on account of lameness. The owner sold her to a Dr. Ellis of Bear Lake, stating that she had been bred to an exceptionally fine stallion. When the mare foaled a horse colt [sic], Dr. Ellis raised it and having much confidence in Mr. Woolf's ability as a horseman, turned the young stallion over to him as caretaker.
Later, Woolf purchased it and it became known as the Woolf horse or Sampson. The horse proved to be an outstanding individual and his colts developed into potent sized draft animals. He was, without question, the most valuable stallion in the valley for a number of years and produced many fine draft horses. His get was mostly roan in color and were short and stocky with plenty of action. In fact, the blood of some of the best grade draft stock in Cache Valley today can be traced back to this animal. It has also been said that John A. Hambleton brought a stallion with him from Nauvoo for breeding fine horses."From a written history of Hyde Park, we learn that, "By July, 1860, sixteen families were settled near the Springs and Apostle Ezra T. Benson, then president of the stake with Peter Maughan the acting bishop, organized a settlement and named it Hyde Part out of respect to William Hyde who was called to act as Bishop, but was not ordained to the office until October 27, 1872. Patterson D. Griffeth and Simpson M. Mollen were chosen first and second counselors with Brother William England as ward clerk. In the spring of 1861, John A. Woolf and family settled here, and later he was chosen to succeed Patterson D. Griffith, who through press of business was released. Simpson H. Mollen was chosen first counselor and John A. Woolf second counselor."
He was also Justice of the Peace of Hyde Park. Here again his trade, that of a shoemaker, was put to good use as he supplied most of the townspeople with shoes for many years. His granddaughter, Orilla, said that many times at night she would hold the candle while he made tiny wooden pegs with which to tack the soles on.
Being a farmer and stock raiser, he provided a good living for his family. He always had a good garden and kept vegetables fresh for the winter by storing them in a pit. He built a smoke house where he did an excellent job of curing meat. Thus, his storehouse was kept filled. He was kind and forgiving almost to a fault, and those in need were never sent away from his door empty- handed.
He was a faithful pioneer and a real Latter-day Saint. Being deeply religious, he read his Bible every day. In stature, he was short and slender, wore a beard and quite long hair. He died of pneumonia, Monday, November 7, 1881, at the age of seventy-six. He was buried in the Hyde Park Cemetery. [Then follows a list of his children and their birth information.]
Note: This biography was compiled and written in 1935 by Phylis Ashcroft (Scholes) and Mildred Daines from information given to them by their Aunts Orilla Woolf Ashcroft and Phebe Woolf Gibson, as well as other living members of the family.
John Anthony I was born July 31, 1805 at Westchester County, New York. On April 30, 1831, he married Sarah Ann Devoe. She was born April 10, 1814, a daughter of John and Sarah Weeks Devoe of Pelham, Westchester County, New York.
John was an excellent shoemaker and made white silk and satin shoes for the aristocrats of New York. He made one pair as part of Sarah Ann's wedding outfit. At times, before a big ball was coming off, he would have to work very hard to complete the ordered shoes, often working all night without sleep excepting a snatch or two while on his workbench. In order to keep from sleeping over time, he would place his hammer under his side so that in a short time it would start to hurt and wake him up.
In 1841, he and his wife joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was baptized by C. Wesley Wardle on July 20, 1841, and in 1842 he was made President of the branch of New Rochelle, New York. During the time they lived in New York they had six children as follows: Absalom, Sarah Ann, James, Hannah Eliza, Isaac, and John Anthony II. Joining with other members of the Church, John with his wife and six children moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he obtained a farm joining and that of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Here the baby, John Anthony, was taken seriously ill. Coming to the door one day the Prophet said, "I see you have a very sick child." He went in and administered to the baby, promising him that he would get well, and then sent for a nurse to take care of him.
John Anthony I and the Prophet often rode together in the same buggy and entered their horses in the same races. On two occasions he loaned money to the Prophet and felt that it was a privilege to do so. Prior to his last imprisonment and martyrdom, he came to John Anthony and asked for a loan of $500 and when the Prophet asked what security he wanted, John Anthony said, "None, your word is all I ask." The Prophet then turned to Willard Richards, who had accompanied him, and said, "Brother Richards, if I do not live to pay Brother Woolf back, I want you to see that he gets his money." The prophet was martyred soon afterward and the debt was canceled.
At the expulsion of the Saints from Nauvoo, John Anthony took his wife and children, who numbered seven then, and moved to Winter Quarters where they spent the winter in a log shack. The hardships of the winter caused disease to spread and all of the family except two suffered from chills and fever.
In the spring of 1847, the family left Winter Quarters and journey westward with the Saints in Captain Edward Hunter's company. John Anthony was a member of the first 10 (Henry I Doremus, Captain) the second 50 (Jacob Foutz, Captain) and second hundred (Edward Hunter, Captain with Jacob Foutz and Joseph Horne, Associates Captain's of fifties.) Families comprising the first 10 were: Jacob Foutz, Jacob F. Secrist, Henry I. Doremus, Samuel Merrill, William Searce, Leonard Stump, Isaac Leany, John Anthony Woolf, William Laney, and Abraham Boswell. (This information was given to Ada E. Morell personally by Church Historian Andrew Jenson in 1934.)
John Anthony sold his farm to get the money to fit himself out to cross the plains. He had four wagons with two yoke of oxen on each of the three wagons and a span of horses on the other. This last one was driven by Sister Woolf.
One evening while they were camping on the Platte River, a great herd of buffalo came down on the opposite side. Captain Hunter ordered the men to fire on them, but their guns had no effect, so they loaded the big cannon. When the cannon opened fire, the buffaloes turned and ran along the riverbank. Had they crossed over, they would have demolished the camp.
The company arrived in Salt Lake City on October 6, 1847. As soon as possible, John Anthony built an adobe house in the old fort. He also helped to clear away the sagebrush and build houses for others. By killing their work oxen, they had enough meat for the winter. The family stayed in Salt Lake City for about five years. Brother Woolf was then called by Brigham Young to go and help settle Iron County.
He went there early in the spring of 1852, built a house, planted and raised a crop of grain. Due to prairie dogs and other pests, he harvested but forty bushel. This he cut with his shoe-knife. He then returned to Salt Lake to get his family, but they were destined NOT to return to Iron County.
They started on their journey, but one night while they were camping on the bank of the Jordan River, they turned the cattle out to feed and thieves drove them more than thirty miles away. The two older sons, Absalom and James, were sent to hunt them. They went without bedding and were gone two weeks. Upon their return, they told the following:
At night they held their horses and used their saddles for pillows. The coyotes were so thick and came so near that the boys could hear their teeth snapping. Had they not held onto the horses, the coyotes would have chewed the lariats and let them go. This delay, together with winter setting in and Sarah Ann's poor health, made it necessary that they remain and build a home on the Provo River for the winter. Here they suffered a great many hardships.
In the spring, they moved as far south as what is now called Mona. Here they remained at the request of Pres. Young. They built a comfortable home, acquired a farm and a choice herd of cattle and sheep. The Indians stole most of the cattle and sheep and became so troublesome that they were again advised to move this time to Nephi where they would be safer for the winter. Before the furniture could be removed, the Indians broke into the house and used it as a lookout from which they shot at people as they passed. They demolished the furniture and ripped open the feather beds, scattering feathers everywhere. John Anthony finally tore down his house to keep the Indians from using it as a place of ambush. Many times when the Indians opened fire on the men, the women would take their children and run to the meetinghouse. When they were safe inside, the men would surround it to protect them.
On Sunday, Old Batice, brother of Walker, the Indian Chief, came to the meetinghouse unaware by the people, and gave a great war whoop. He had six or seven warriors stationed near the door and told the people to come on out, but instead one of the men told him to tell his warriors to go away or they would kill him right there. This frightened them and they went away and were never seen again.
John Anthony Woolf was ordained as President of the 19th Quorum of Seventy of Nephi in 1855. His home in Nephi was built in the old fort with the corrals in the center. This did not suffice to keep the Indians out, so the inhabitants built a wall around the houses. This wall was a mile square and 12 feet high, with two gates, one in the north and one in the south connected by a street running through the center of the city. While here, they witnessed all of the Indian troubles, including the Walker War.
The Indians had killed four men who were on their way to Salt Lake to sell their grain. They then sent a runner to the remainder of their small company (seven Indians) to tell them not to go into town if they valued their lives, but by the time the runner had reached there, the Indians had already gone into town and had been killed. John Anthony took one squaw with a boy eight or nine years old home with him, gave them their supper and put them in the shanty for the night. In the morning they were gone as he expected.
Their family was now becoming numerous and as water was scarce in Nephi, John A. and Sarah Ann decided to move northward. In the spring of 1861, they arrived in Cache Valley and settled in the little town of Hyde Park. Here they became actively engaged in helping pioneer this country and subdue the Indians, as well as helping to supply the civic and religious needs of the fast growing population. In the year of 1863, a combination meetinghouse and schoolhouse was built of logs. Thomas Slight was the first schoolteacher. They also had a public corral where all the stock of the settlers was kept at night and guarded as a precaution against the marauding Indians. During the day, the cattle were driven to the foothills to graze. In 1864, the town was surveyed into city lots and many trees were planted. By 1865, some forty families had settled there.
The following paragraphs were copied from an article printed in the Jim Bridger centennial edition of the "Logan Journal" in 1924:
"The early settlers of Cache Valley had only small animals for riding and driving purposes; horses similar to the Indian 'Cayuses' or ponies seen today. In those days all heavy work in the fields or canyons and on the highways was done with oxen. A horse weighing a thousand pounds was considered extremely large. It was not long, however, before numbers increased and the breed began to improve. The settlers purchased animals from traders who came through the valley with bands of horses. Before long, draft horses began to displace the oxen on the farms.
The first stallion of worthy mention in the valley was the Woolf horse owned by John A. Woolf of Hyde Park. Some emigrants passing through Bear Lake Valley about 1860 were forced to dispose of one of their mares on account of lameness. The owner sold her to a Dr. Ellis of Bear Lake, stating that she had been bred to an exceptionally fine stallion. When the mare foaled a horse colt [sic], Dr. Ellis raised it and having much confidence in Mr. Woolf's ability as a horseman, turned the young stallion over to him as caretaker.
Later, Woolf purchased it and it became known as the Woolf horse or Sampson. The horse proved to be an outstanding individual and his colts developed into potent sized draft animals. He was, without question, the most valuable stallion in the valley for a number of years and produced many fine draft horses. His get was mostly roan in color and were short and stocky with plenty of action. In fact, the blood of some of the best grade draft stock in Cache Valley today can be traced back to this animal. It has also been said that John A. Hambleton brought a stallion with him from Nauvoo for breeding fine horses."From a written history of Hyde Park, we learn that, "By July, 1860, sixteen families were settled near the Springs and Apostle Ezra T. Benson, then president of the stake with Peter Maughan the acting bishop, organized a settlement and named it Hyde Part out of respect to William Hyde who was called to act as Bishop, but was not ordained to the office until October 27, 1872. Patterson D. Griffeth and Simpson M. Mollen were chosen first and second counselors with Brother William England as ward clerk. In the spring of 1861, John A. Woolf and family settled here, and later he was chosen to succeed Patterson D. Griffith, who through press of business was released. Simpson H. Mollen was chosen first counselor and John A. Woolf second counselor."
He was also Justice of the Peace of Hyde Park. Here again his trade, that of a shoemaker, was put to good use as he supplied most of the townspeople with shoes for many years. His granddaughter, Orilla, said that many times at night she would hold the candle while he made tiny wooden pegs with which to tack the soles on.
Being a farmer and stock raiser, he provided a good living for his family. He always had a good garden and kept vegetables fresh for the winter by storing them in a pit. He built a smoke house where he did an excellent job of curing meat. Thus, his storehouse was kept filled. He was kind and forgiving almost to a fault, and those in need were never sent away from his door empty- handed.
He was a faithful pioneer and a real Latter-day Saint. Being deeply religious, he read his Bible every day. In stature, he was short and slender, wore a beard and quite long hair. He died of pneumonia, Monday, November 7, 1881, at the age of seventy-six. He was buried in the Hyde Park Cemetery. [Then follows a list of his children and their birth information.]
Note: This biography was compiled and written in 1935 by Phylis Ashcroft (Scholes) and Mildred Daines from information given to them by their Aunts Orilla Woolf Ashcroft and Phebe Woolf Gibson, as well as other living members of the family.
Hyde Park Cemetery
Hyde Park
Cache County
Utah, USA
Plot: Sec 3, Row 6, Pos 3
- [S33] LDS - Seventies: Early Seventies, Black, Harvey Bischoff, Compiler and Editor.