"History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties of Minnesota, 1916"



Milo T. DeWolf, former mayor of Windom, former commissioner of Cottonwood county, former postmaster of Windom, a member of the board of directors of the Windom National Bank, a well-known retired farmer and stockman, who for years has taken an actrive and influential part in the general affairs of Cottonwood county and this section of the state, is a native of the great Empire state, born on a farm in Herkimer county, New York, October 7, 1847, son of William and Melissa (Place) DeWolf, both natives of that same state.

William DeWolf also born in Herkimer county, member of one of the old families thereabout and was reared on a farm. Later he bought a farm in Paris township, Oswego county, same state, where he established his home and there he and his wife spent their last days. They were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being as follow: James, a veteran of the Civil War, who served in the One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, came to Minnesota in 1871 and settled in Cottonwood county, where he passed away; Harley, who also came to Minnesota in 1871, settling in Cottonwood county, and died in Illinois in 1906; Andrew L., of Paris, Oswego county, New York; Mary, wife of George Lynch, who lives near that same town; Nettie, wife of Austin Whiteman, also of Paris, New York, and John, who also came to this section of Minnesota in 1886 and died at Windom in 1898.

Milo T. DeWolf was reared on the paternal farm in Oswego county, New York, receiving his education in the public schools, a select school at Amboy and the Whitesboro Academy. He taught school for three years and then, in 1871, came to Minnesota with his brothers and an uncle, Moses I. DeWolf, settling in Cottonwood county, all taking claims near to each other and becoming influential factors in the early development o{ that part of the county. When the township in which they settled was organized the the DeWolfs were given the honor of naming the same and they gave it the name "Amboy," in honor of their old home town in New York, and it is thus that Cottomvood county has an Amboy township. Mile T. DeWolf preempted a quarter of section 34, in that township and upon his marriage the next year established his home there. From the first he took a prominent part in early real-estate activities hereabout and bought and sold considerable land. For three years he also acted as manager of the R. Bardon farm. After awhile he moved to Bingham Lake, where he engaged in the live-stock and dray business and was thus engaged until July 1, 1889, when he moved to Windom, where he ever since has made his home and where from the very beginning of his residence there he has been one of that city's most enterprising and progressive citizens. For years he continued his livestock operations and other business activities, but for some years past has been living practically retired. In 1902 Mr. DeWolf went to Canada and bought three sections of land, all of which he since has sold save three hundred and twenty acres. He owns a fine home on Fourth street in Windom, where he and his wife are very pleasantly and comfortably situated. They spend a part of the time in Canada with their sons and make occasional visits back to their old home in New York state. Mrs. DeWolf is active in local church work and for many years has been regarded as one of the leaders in the social life of this community. She also for years has been one of the leaders in the work of the Order of the Eastern Star at Windom.

Mr. DeWolf is a Republican and ever since settling in this region back in pioneer days has taken an active and earnest part in civic affairs. For two terms he served as county commissioner from the fourth district and was thus serving at the time the first court house in Cottonwood county was erected. During the McKinley administration he was postmaster at Windom and has also served two terms as mayor of that city, having been the city's chief executive officer at the time the waterworks and the electric-light plant were constructed. In addition to his extensive realty and livestock operations he also gave much attention to the geneeral enterprises of the community and is still serving as a member of the board of directors of the Windom National Bank.

Mr. DeWolf was made a Mason in New York in 1872, a member of West Amboy Lodge No. 650, and his membership long ago was transferred to Prudence Lodge No. 97, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Windom, and of the Royal Arch Chapter No. 48, at Windom. He also is a Knight Templar, a member of Laverne Commandery No. 22, and a noble of Osraar, Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at St. Paul. and with his wife, is connected with the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, taking a warm interest in all these several branches of Masonry. He also is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and he and his family are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church.

On November 8, 1871, in Oswego county, New York, Milo T. DeWolf was united in marriage to Louise E. Gardner, who was born in that county, daughter of William H. Gardner and wife, the latter of whom was a Rathbone, whose last days were spent at Hartford, Connecticut, both living to advanced ages, and to this union three children have been born, namely. Blanche, wife of John Ruff, cashier of the Windom National Bank; Archibald, now of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land and assistant manager of the affairs of E. J. Meilicke & Sons, and Earl G., now with the Goose Lake Grain and Lumber Company at Ardath, Saskatchewan. Archibald DeWolf was formerly postmaster of Windom.