“Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County,” published:  
Chicago;  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892.

W.C. WOLFF,  attorney, Dallas, Texas, and one of the foremost real estate 
men of that city, is a native of Charleston, South Carolina, his birth 
occurring there in 1832, on the lot at the corner of Meeting and Wentworth 
streets, on which is the artesian well.  He is the youngest of four children 
born to Francis Anthony and Isabelle (McKay) Wolff.  The father was a 
native of the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, but was educated in France.  
He served ten years under the first Napoleon.  He left that country for 
America when a young man, first settled in New York, but subsequently 
moved to South Carolina, where he was married.

Settling in Charleston, he carried on the saddler trade until his death, in 
August, 1837.  He was a member of the Masonic order, demitted from 
Summit Lodge, Paris, France.  The mother survived him a number of years, 
her death occurring in Tippah county, Mississippi, in 1859.  W.C. Wolff was 
reared on a farm after coming to Tippah county and received his education 
in the common schools of the same, and in the Bonham Academy of Texas.  
He came to Texas in April, 1854, and taught school for many years.  In 
1855, while teaching in Fannin county, Texas, he borrowed books and began 
the study of law, and was admitted to the bar at Paris, Lamar county, Texas, 
in 1859, beginning to practice the same year in that county.  He read law in 
the office of Wm. H. Johnson, in Paris, Texas, about one year.  In 1860 he 
came to Dallas county, locating at Cedar Hill, and in connection with his 
practice taught school for some time.

In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, the Third Texas Cavalry, Toss’ brigade, 
for twelve months, but served through the entire war.  He was in the battle of 
Oak Hill, Elk Horn or Pea Ridge and after that crossed the Mississippi in the 
battle of Iuka.  He was also in the battles, Corinth, Holly Springs, Hatchee 
bridge, those around Vicksburg and in the Georgia campaign.  He was in the 
battle of Murfreesboro and was in Forrest’s corps.  He received a gunshot 
wound at Rome, Georgia.  From Tennessee Mr. Wolff went to Mississippi, 
near Yazoo city, where the brigade was furloughed and he came home, 
being there at the time of the surrender.  Afterward he taught school at Cedar 
Hill, Texas, and in 1867 moved to the city of Dallas, which at that time had a 
population of perhaps 1,000, and here began practicing law.  He formed a 
partnership in the Federal Court with J.C. McCoy and they continued 
together until 1871.  Since then Mr. Wolff has been alone and is one of the 
oldest practicing lawyers in the city.

He was married in 1874 to Miss Elizabeth St. Clair, daughter of Rev. 
Michael and Nancy St. Clair.  Mr. And Mrs. St. Clair came to Fannin 
county, Texas, in 1853, and the father followed his ministerial duties in the 
Baptist Church of this State.  His death occurred in Hunt county, Texas, and 
his wife followed to the grave in the same county a few years later.  Mr. 
Wolff lost his excellent wife in December, 1876.  His second marriage 
occurred in 1877, to Miss Dona Dealvero Bozarth, a native of Missouri and 
the daughter of John and Nancy H. (Roy) Bozarth, natives of Kentucky.  Her 
parents came to Bosque county, Texas, in 1860, and subsequently moved to 
Dallas county, where the father followed the trade of miller.  He died in 
Falls county, Texas; his wife died in Lancaster, Dallas county, Texas, in 
1891.  To Mr. And Mrs. Wolff have been born five children:  Orienta, 
Dealvero, O.S. Fowler, Wirt McCoy and Roscoe.

Mr. Wolff takes some interest in politics and formerly voted with the 
Democratic party, but now has joined the People’s party.  He is the prime 
leader of the navigation of Trinity river and is one of the foremost in aiding 
all laudable enterprises.  He is one of the early pioneers of Dallas city and 
Dallas county, and is the author of the famous book entitled “Magnitude in 
Order,” which embraces original and reform thoughts.


Submitted by: L. Pingel