Labette County Biographies
From the "Portrait and Biographical Record of Southeastern Kansas"
Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1894
WALLACE WOLCOTT, a farmer residing
on section 28, North Township, Labette
County, is a native of the Buckeye State
and was born in Washington County, Ohio, November 10, 1834. His father, Alanson Wolcott,
was born January 20, 1803, and died February 18,
1871, and was reared on the same farm as was
our subject. He comes from an old New England
family. The great-grandfather was Joseph Wolcott, and the grandfather bore the name of Elias
Wolcott, The latter, a native of Hartford, Conn.,
was born in 1777 and took part in the War of
1812. In 1797 he removed to Washington County,
Ohio, becoming one of its pioneer settlers, and
there cleared and opened up a farm, on which he
reared his children. The property is still in the possession of the family. The mother of our subject
bore the maiden name of Caroline McClure. She
was born November 16, 1812, and died April 17,
1891. She, too, was a native of Washington
County, but was reared in Lawrence County, her
parents being James and Abigail (Stacy) McClure.
Wallace Wolcott was one of thirteen children,
twelve of whom are still living. Three of the sons
served in the late war as defenders of the Union.
Wallace acquired a liberal education in Marietta,
being a student in the Western Liberal Institute.
In 1856 he chose as a companion and helpmate on
life's journey Miss Sarah T., daughter of Joseph
and Sarah (Yocom) Wynn, both of whom were
natives of Harrisburg, Pa. They removed to
Washington County, Ohio, in 1856, and there both
died. They left a family of eleven children, but
only two now survive. Three sons of that family
also served in the Civil War, and one was confined
in Libby Prison for eleven months. Lewis Wolcott, brother of our subject, was a Sergeant of
Company F, Thirty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and died
in the hospital at Summerville, W. Va.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born
four sons and four daughters: Adelaide M., wife
of A. H. Huling, of Indian Territory; Addison J.;
Elmer E., Carrie A., Lewis D., Olive M., William
H. and Minnie B. The family resided in Washington County, Ohio, until 1884, which year
witnessed their arrival in Labette County, Kan.
Here Mr. Wolcott purchased a farm of eighty
acres southeast of Parsons, which he still owns
and operates. While in the Buckeye State he was
a lumber merchant, but since coming to the west
has been connected with A. F. Edwards in railroad
contracting. They have done a good business,
being constantly employed.
Mr. Wolcott entered the service of his country
in May, 1864, joining the boys in blue of Company K, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Ohio Infantry, he was commissioned First Lieutenant
and was sent to Harper's Ferry, thence to Burnsides, Va., where he saw his last service. He was
mustered out at Marietta, Ohio, in October, 1864.
Socially, he is connected with the Masonic fraternity and with the Ancient Order
of United Workmen. Since the organization of the Republican
party he has been one of its stanch supporters, and
has served as Trustee of North Township ever
since his arrival here. The cause of education
finds in him a warm friend and he has provided
his children with good advantages. Addison and
Carrie are successful teachers in this county. Mr.
and Mrs. Wolcott both engaged in teaching in
Ohio. Although practically a new man in southeastern Kansas, Mr. Wolcott is recognized as one
of its representative business men and public spirited citizens.
Return to Labette Co. KHHP
|
This website created September 18, 2011 by Sheryl McClure.
� 2011 Kansas History and Heritage Project
|