Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-02-10
Caseys scattered over West Virginia
and elsewhere derive their descent.

hEN. bEkNARD y. w OLff Ia
was born in Martinsburg, Berkeley
county about the year 1876. Hewas
the son of George Wolff, Esq, one
of our most conscientious and re-
spectacle magistrates. When the
writer of this sketch first became
acquainted with the son in 1922, he
was working at his trade of a sad
der in Martinsburg, then in the 28th
year of his age. His intelligence,
extensive reading and literary attain
ments, were the subject of general
remark; while his frank and fascin-
ating manners, social temperament
public and unaffected piety, made
him a universal favorite. Every
enterprise looking to the educational
moral and religious interests of this
community found in him an ardent
advocate and energetic supporter. 1t
was therefore not matter of sur
prise when it became known, that
he, then in the 36th year of his age,
4
flee of the holy ministry. After
several years of preparatory study in
the theological seminary of the Ger
man Reformed Church at York Pa,
he received a call to the Reformed
Church at Easton, in that State. La
this field he labored for nine years,
and in the spring of 1916 was called
to take charge of the Third Reform
ed Church in Baltimore, A vacancy
occurring in the theological seminary
at Mercersburg, he was elected to
fill The vacant position, and in 1854
entered upon his duties as professor
of dogmatic and pastoral theology.
Owing to declining health, he re-
signed his professorship in 1864, and
removed to Lancaster city. Here he
devoted much attention to the inter-
ests of Franklin and Marshall Col
lege. About two years before he
died, he was attacked with paralysis
and his active labor on earth ceased.
Gradually failing in his physical
strength, but with his mental pow
ers still active, he camly and peace
fully departed this life on the 3lst
day of October, 1870, while the last
rays of an autumn sun was illumi.
mating the western sky with flood
of glory.
Bernard G. Wolff was no ordinary
man. He was the model of a chris
tian gentleman, always kind and
courteous, yet firm and decided in
his principles, and untiring in his
work. His views of the ministry
were of the most exalted character,
and his conduct and conversation in
life fully correspondent with his con-
ceptions of its divine mission on
earth.
THOMAS DAVIS, NJ. D., was born
in Kentucky, and was a favorite
protege of the distinguished DR..
Lewis Marshall of that State. He
became a resident and citizen of this
county about the year 1920. He
practiced his profession as physi-
clan for about ten years in Martins
burg, but his excessive devotion to
| literature and history caused him to
become Indifferent to the prac.
tice of his profession, and after his
marriage to the daughter of very
wealthy farmer of the county, he
abandoned it altogether and retired
| to the country. He was man of
acute and powerful intellect, of ex-
| tensive reading and a vigorous and
forcible writer. In literary attain.
ments and in profound historical re
search, he was almost without an
equal. He left here for NatcheZ in
1S43 with view there of resuming
the practice of his profession. With.
in a month after his arrival there,
the yellow fever broke out with fear
full mortality, and he fell victim
himself to the fearless discharge of
his professional duties. The writer
of this paid visit to his grave in
January, 1915, and dropped a tear to
the memory of one of the noblest
and truest of men. He founded the
Martinsburg Library, which for so
many years was supported and cher
ished in this place; and in the inn
portant session of 1881 represented
this county, with signal ability in
the House of Delegates of Virginia.
TERRATA.-In the sketch of Gen.
Jesup, Goth line read "devolved,"
instead of develope, and at it's close
''its' instead of the.
In Robert Cockburn's sketch leave
out perhaps" 5th line. 6Sth line,
read "amersed" for amused. seth
line (which" for what; 18th line
"crush" for crash 9lst line 1918 for
1918; Goth line "were" for was.
John II. Cooke, SO line pamphlet
for pamphlets 81 line "denuncia-
tion for demonstration 9Sth line
'heard" for hurled.