The Wolf Family, 1850 to 1886

Theresa and William Wolf owned the house from 1850 to 1886, though records indicate that they didn't always live in it.



The Wolf family is one of those that shaped the history of Bellefonte, both through their work and their legacy. William S. Wolf may have been born in Bellefonte, but he is now buried in the Union cemetery and worked as a tinsmith in the borough for 30 or 40 years. His life appears ordinary, but well-documented, and indicates a man who was a very active citizen. In addition to his work as a tinsmith, newspapers of the time note his involvement on juries and committees, as well as his pitching in during a fire to attempt to save the Brockerhoff Hotel.



The census indicates a long progression of tenants, which are instructive even as statistics.

The 1870 census notes the following residents:

• France/is Boal, a 48 year-old woman, was the head of the household. Her occupation is listed as “Bonnet Manufacturer.”



• George O. Boal, 17



• Nellie W. Boal, 13



• Lucy Burnside, 10, “At Home”



• Ann Owens, a 20 year-old domestic servant from Wales
  

Lucy Burnside and Frances Boal were sisters, and the daughters of Judge Thomas Burnside. Thomas Burnside, born in Ireland, had many accomplishments:

In 1811 he was elected to the State Senate, and was an active supporter of Governor Simon Snyder in all the war measures of 1812. In 1815 he was elected to
Congress, and served during the memorable session of 1816. In the summer of the
same year he was appointed by Governor Snyder president judge of the Luzerne
district. He resigned this position in 1818, and resumed practice at Bellefonte.
In 1823 he was again elected to the State Senate, of which body he was chosen
Speaker. In 1826, before his senatorial term had expired, he was appointed
president judge of the Fourth Judicial District (Centre, etc.), which office he
held until 1841, when he was appointed president judge of the Seventh Judicial
District (Bucks and Montgomery). On the 1st of January, 1845, he was
commissioned as one of the justices of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, an
office which he filled with honor up to the time of his death.By his second
wife, Ellen Winters, he also had children, now residing in Bellefonte,-Miss Lucy
Burnside, Thomas Burnside, and Mrs. Frances Boal. Mrs. Ellen W. Burnside died in
Bellefonte, June 3, 1859, aged seventy-three years, eight months, and seventeen
days. Source: History of Centre and Clinton Counties, Pennsylvania; John
Blair Linn; Philadelphia; Louis H. Everts; 1883

The 1860 federal census notes the following as occupants:

• Daniel Welsh, a 44 year-old contractor, was the head of the household. Welsh may have emigrated from Ireland -- an investigation into susipisious voting practices in which his son was questioned included testimony that he and Jane became citizens.



• His wife, Jane E., was 30



• William G. Welsh, a Justice of the Peace, was 73



• Jane M. Harris was 27



• Eliza L. Welsh, 23



• Louisa Welsh, 20



• Catherine Gofney, 21, is a servant, from “Konemara, Ireland” (Connemara) – probably actually Catherine Gaffney Meagher, who died in 1918 in Michigan.



• Franklin Johnson is a 16 year-old African-american.

The 1850 federal census indicates the following as occupants:

• Felix Mullin, a 45-year old male, whose occupation was listed as “Manager” and who was born in Ireland.



• Eliza Mullin, a 44 year-old female, also born in Ireland.



• John Mullin, an 18 year-old male who is listed as a student of medicine.



• Frances Mullin, an 11 year-old female.



• Margaret McGlarity, an 19 year-old female.