Bios: Henry Nolf, Sr: Jefferson/Armstrong Cos, PA
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Nolf Family- John, Casper, George, and Adam were brothers.
Henry Gum Nolf, son of John Nolf. ran away from home when twelve years old traveling
on foot to Clarion County where he settled among the indians at the mouth of Town
run. This adventurous beginning to his career was quite typical of his character
energetic, self-reliant, fearless, enterprising; in short he had the very traits
most necessary to a successful fight for existence in the wild region he chose.
THE STORY OF HENRY NOLF SR.'S DEATH
History of Jefferson County Pennsylvania 1888 page 632
"The county was full of wild game, especially wolves, bears, and deer, which
naturally attracted hunters, and Mr. Geist relates the following incidents: "Among
other hunters who came into the region were Henry Nolf, from Clarion County, where
New Bethehem now stands, and Lewis Doverspike. they were hunting in the northern
part of Ringold township, and wounded a bear, which attacked Mr. Nolf and would have
killed him had not his cries brought Doverspike to his assistance. The latter found
that the bear had Nolf down, and was tearing away at him in a terrible manner with
teeth and claws. He tried to shoot the animal, but his gun missed fire, and he then
punched the bear in the ribs with his gun, causing it to leave Nolf and take after
him. It chased Doverspike around a tree several times before he succeeded in
getting a shot at it. After killing the bear he went to Nolf's assistance, and
found him so badly wounded that he begged Doverspike to kill him and put him out of !
his misery. This, of course, Doverspike refused to do but being a remarkable strong
man he picked Nolf up and carried him three miles to a house, from where he was
removed to his home, and finally recovered from his wounds. Several years after he
was again hunting in the southern part of the township, where he and his son George
had erected a small shanty to stay in at night. One evening Mr. Nolf went to cut
down a tree for fire wood and the tree splitting at the butt, snapped off, falling
upon and killing him instantly. When his son discovered what had befallen his
father, he had to go some three miles before he could get help and a team to take
the body home. They then had to summon men from the Dutch Settlement, near Redbank
Creek, to hold an inquest: and a party started with a jug of whisky, and the same
night held an inquest, and then started for Milli
ron's, the nearest neighbor's house; but on the road they lost the body, it having
rolled out of the sled into the snow. When they discovered the loss, one of the
party remarked that he expected he (Nolf) was on a deer's track. They found him,
however, by the side of the road and took him home."
History of Armstrong Co. PA Vo. 1. 1914 by Beers
Adam Nulph Sr. left Luzerne County and went to Armstrong County in 1799 where he
built a cabin and set out fruit trees on Mahoning Creek near Colwell and a short
distance south of present day South Bethlehem. It was reported that the trees were
still bearing fruit in 1885. It is believed that Adam returned to Luzerne County to
bring his family to their new home since he was recorded on the 1800 census in
Luzerne. The children of Adam included Adam Jr. and it should be noted that the
biography of Jacob Nulph in Commerative Record of Central PA of 1898 by Beers failed
to record Adam Jr. as the father of Jacob.
History of Armstrong Co, PA Vol. 1, 1914 by Beers
Casper Nulph Sr. was born in 1731 in the palatinate, Germany. He came to America
with his parents at age six and was reared in Northampton County PA and fought in
the Revolutionary War in the 1st Co. 2nd Bat. of the Northampton County Militia
commanded by his brother George. Casper is also in the DAR index. He was married
to Phoebe who was born in 1733 in Germany. To this union 18 children were born and
as of 1837 they had left at least 300 descendents. The family went to Luzerne
County about 1795 and then went to the area that later became Clarion County before
settling in 1808 on Mahoning Creek near present day Eddyville, Red Bank Township,
Armstrong County Pa to be near his brother Adam. Casper became a land owner of
considerable means and was active until within three years of death. He and Phoebe
were married for more than 80 years when death took her on 11 November 1836 at age
103. Casper followed on 1 Feb. 1837 at age 106. Both are buried along with many
descen!
dents in the Smith Cemeter
y on the side of a hill near Eddyville.
From pension files of George Nolf:
April 28,
1939
BA-N/AWF
George Nolf
W 3188
The Quartermaster General
Memorial Branch
War Department
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir.
Reference is made to your request for information relative to George Nolf,
Captain in the Pennsylvania Militia, War of the Revolution, died in September 1830.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in claim for
pension, W. 3188, based upon the military service of George Nolf(Nulff) in the
Revolutionary War.
The date and place of birth of George Nolf and names of his parents were not
stated.
George Nolf served in the Northampton County, Pennsylvania Militia, two months
as sergeant, four months and seven days as lieutenant; he was appointed Captain May
10, 1780, and served as such, eleven months and twenty-one days, a part of the time
he served under Colonels Kern and Roulp. His service was to protect the frontiers
from incursions of the Indians, and in ranging between the Delaware and Susquehanna
Rivers.
George Nolf married in the year 1775, Susanna Edelman. The date and place of
her birth and names of parents are not given
George Nolf died in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, September 2, 1830 aged
about eighty-two years and his widow, Susanna Nolf, died January 4, 1841, in More
Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, aged about eighty-four years.
Susanna Nolf was survived by the following children all of whom were living in
1846-
Catharine, born September 1, 1775, married Daniel Close, living in
Northampton County, PA in 1846.
Susan, born June 21, 1777, married George Zeigenfuss; said George
Zeigenfuss was dead in 1846, and she was living in Carbon County, PA.
Barbara, married Frederick Brownmiller; they were living in 1846 in
Delaware County, Ohio
Conrad Nolf, residing in 1846 near Pittsburgh, PA
Elizabeth, married Michael Creever(?); they were living in 1846 in
Lehigh County, PA
Isaac Nolf, residing in 1846 in Northampton Co. PA
Sarah, married John Huvier or Havier, who was dead in 1846, and she
was living in Northampton Co. PA
Rachael, married Robert Jamieson; they were living in 1846 in
Northampton Co. PA
Jacob Nolf, residing in 1846 in Northampton Co. PA
Mary Robinson, name of her husband not stated, nor was her place of
residenceshown.
In 1854 the following children of George Nolf and wife Susanna were allowed the
pension due her: Barbara Brownmiller, Conrad Nolf, Elizabeth Greever, Susan
Zeigenfuss, Isaac Nolf, Sarah Huvler or Havler, Rachael Jamieson, Mary Robinson and
Jacob Nolf who was then sixty-nine years old and a resident of Moore Township,
Pennsylvania.
Reference was made in 1777 to Elizabeth Edelmann, and to Conrad Edelmann and
his wife, Catharine, in 1846 Charles Ziegenfuss was Justice of the peace for
Northampton County, PA and in 1854 Susan Ziegenfuss was seventy-seven years old, and
George Ziegenfuss was seventy-five years of age.
The relationship of these persons to the family of the Revolutionary war
officer, George Nolf was not stated.
the application for headstone for George Nolf is returned herewith. There was
no correspondence enclosed.
Yours very truly
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
From the History of Butler County, 1883 by Robert W. Smith, published
by Waterson Watkins and Co. Biographical Sketches Page 869
(Conrad son of George and Susanna Nolf)
Conrad Nolf was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania in 1790, and there grew
to maturity. His mother dying when he was quite young, he was adopted by Christian
Stenninger, with whom he remained until manhood. In 1813 he married Susannah George,
of Northampton county, who became the mother of 14 children, ten of whom grew to
maturity, viz: Farion, who married Susannah Toomas; Fayette, who married Daniel
Brocius; Aaron who married Sarah King, Susannah, who married Mathew Humphrey;
William, who married Angelina Bohlen; Anthony, who married Martha Roland; Elizabeth,
who married William Rowley; Emma, who married Michael Truby; Christina, who married
Lewis Foster, and Sarah, who married Emil Wickenhagen. All are now deceased except
Aaron, William, and Anthony. In 1815 Mr. Nolf purchased 200 acres of land in
Jefferson County, upon which he remained twenty-eight years, and then located at
Freeport, where he carried on the hotel and lumber business for two years, then
removed to!
Cook county, Illinois, and two years later returned to Freeport. His wife
died in 1869. He finally took up his residence with his son William in Buffalo
Township, Butler County, where he died May 12, 1883. He was a member of the Lutheran
Church, and filled the offices of elder and deacon in that society. Politically, he
was a republican, and served as a school director and supervisor.
William Nolf, son of Conrad and Susannah Nolf, was born in Jefferson county,
Pennsylvania, January 18, 1826. He was reared on the farm, and followed
lumbering with his father. In 1843 he located at Freeport, where he married
Angelina Bohlen a daughter of Edward Bohlen, December 16, 1852. Five children were
born to his union, four of whom are living, viz: Mary E. Margaret B, William R., and
Angie L. In 1862 Mr Nolf purchased his father's saw mill at Freeport, and in 1868
he bought the Buckley farm in Buffalo Township, Butler County, containing 120 acres,
upon which he now resides, and
dealt extensively in grain and hay for a number of years. He is a member of the
Lutheran church, in which he is a rustee and member of the council, and has served
as deacon for ten years. In politics, he is a Republican, and has filled the
offices of school director, collector and assessor.