Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Dr. Napoleon Bonaparte Wolfe

Male 1823 - 1891  (67 years)


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  • Name Napoleon Bonaparte Wolfe 
    Prefix Dr. 
    Born 25 Dec 1823  Columbia, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/249522148 
    Interesting medicine, paranormal 
    Occupation 1853  St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    doctor 
    Died 17 Jun 1891  Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Columbia, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I488440  Generations
    Last Modified 9 Sep 2024 

    Family Margaret E. Geoghan,   b. 1835, , Clare County, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Oct 1874, Sacramento, Sacramento, California, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 39 years) 
    Married 25 Dec 1855  Rochester, Monroe, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Children 
     1. Dr. Mary Wolfe,   b. 18 Oct 1859, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30 Nov 1938, East Lampeter, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 79 years)
    Last Modified 11 Sep 2024 
    Family ID F299999  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Wolfe-NapoleonBoneparte-001.jpg
    Wolfe-NapoleonBoneparte-001.jpg
    Napoleon Bonepart Wolfe

  • Notes 
    • WOLFE, NALOPEON BONAPARTE is of some interest as the first practitioner in St. Jacobs. He was born in Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on December 25, 1823. His father, an architect died in the summer of that year. He married Margaret Geegan of Rochester New York on December 25, 1855. They had a daughter born in St. Jacobs.

      As his family had been left without means on the death of his father, he began to work at an early age. Eventually while teaching school in Pennslyvania he was persuaded to read medicine with a local doctor. After two years he came to Canada, possibly in 1845 at first to Millville on the road to Kingston, and then to Cartwright on Lake Scugog. He returned to the States in 1850 and obtained a degree from the Eclectic Medical College of Philadelphia.

      He came to St. Jacobs, and had his card in the Deutsche Canadier on August 4, 1853. The card in the Berlin Telegraph on October 28th. Reads:

      N. B. Wolfe M. D. Has located himself in St. Jacobs to practice Medicine, Surgery and Midwifery. Office at Eby's Hotel.

      In October, 1856 he was chairman of a public dinner for H. Foley M. P. for N. Waterloo, having been defeated by him in the previous election.

      His last card was four years after his arrival, when he left to return to the States.

      He became a specialist in inhalation therapy and was said to be a millionaire. He visited Berlin in 1888 and was the subject of an article listing his achievements, which was copied by the Dumfries Reformer of August 16.

      His location after this time is unknown.

      Dr. Alexander D. Campbell, Doctors in Waterloo County 1852-1925, 1986

      _____________

      DR. NAPOLEON B. WOLFE DEAD.
      A Former Well-Known Columbian Dies in Cincinnati. Dr.

      Napoleon Bonaparte Wolfe, a wellknown specialist on throat and lung diseases, died at his home in Cincinnati, on Wednesday morning, aged sixty-seven years, his caused by a malady that came in the track of the grip. Dr. Wolfe was born in Columbia and was a son of Paul Wolfe. He learned the plasterer's trade, but became dissatisfied working at it for a short time and began the study of medicine. He graduated at a Canadian college, and returned to Columbia, where he followed the general practice of medicine until late in the fifties, when he removed to Cincinnati.

      There he became a specialist in throat and lung diseases, and built up a large and lucrative practice. He also turned his attention to spiritualism, upon which subject he wrote and published several works, which sold widely. One daughter survives him, Mrs. Dr. Mary Van Ham, who succeded him in his large practice.

      Dr. Wolfe was a genial, whole-souled man, who became the friend every man he met. He fell in with the California excursionists from this city in 1874 and attended all their reunions. One of their most notable dinners was that given by him at the Grand Central Hotel, Cincinnati. Dr.

      Wolfe's body arrived here on Friday for cremation..

      The Semi-Weekly New Era Lancaster, Pennsylvania Sat, Jun 20, 1891 Page 8

      ______________

      Dr. N. B. Wolfe, who came here from Pennsylvania in 1853, was the first physician who began the practice of medicines here many years ago. He went from St. Jacobs to St. Louis, Mo., and took the specialty of throat and lung diseases by the inhaling system. From there he went to Cincinnati, O., where he settled permanently and succeeded in amassing a fortune, acquiring a large land estate in Kansas, a large hotel in Jackson, Fla, a mill in Pennsylvania and property in Cincinnati. He retired in 1889, and turned over his practice to his daughter Mary, who was born in St. Jacobs in the home now occupied by Mrs. Kinzinger and formerly owned by the doctor. He made a visit to this section in the summer of 1889 and called on his old time patrons in St. Jacobs, Glenallen, Linwood and Hawkesville and other places, and later made a trip to England. He died at Cincinnati about five years ago.

      After Dr. Wolf Dr. James Nicol located here and remained for several years. He died some years ago, leaving considerable property.

      Waterloo Chronicle 9 Dec 1897, p. 2

  • Sources 
    1. [S31] News - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Dumfries Reformer (1850-1892), 16 Jan 1856.
      WOLFE, Dr. married 25 Dec 1855 Margaret E. GEEGAN In Rochester, NY, at bride's res, by Rev Mr Watson, pastor St Lukes; Dr Wolfe, of St Jacobs, Waterloo Co.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 25 Dec 1823 - Columbia, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - doctor - 1853 - St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 25 Dec 1855 - Rochester, Monroe, New York, United States Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 17 Jun 1891 - Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, United States Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Columbia, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth