The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-19
THE G. A, R. HONORS A NEGRO.
H. III. WOLFF DEPARTMENT COM
WANDER OF WiSSACIIJ SETS.
Inusna Distinction Conferred Upon
COlored veteran VINO Has Been In the
order only Twelve icars-ts Lawyer
10y PROFESSIONALS High Standing.

order only Twelve Ycars-Is n Lawyer
10y profcsslOn-Hls High Standing.
B,sroy Feb 1s-The members Of the
Massachusetts, Department, Grand Army
Of the Republic did an unusual thing last
Tuesday. when they conferred upon James
H Wolr, negro the title of Commander OF
the Massachusetts, Veterans. A double
honor IS conferred upon Comrade Wolf.
A. this state is the home of Gen. w. W.
Backmar, Commander-in-Chef OF the G.. A.
r. the Bay State veterans will act as his
escort ut the parade at the national en-
campmrnt in Denver next summer. 40
that il Commander Wolf is physically fit.
he will lead the great parade and will be the
first negro who has ever done 80
The elevation of Comrade Wolf to the
high Office Of Department Commander came
as a matter OF promotion. A year ago he
va chosen Vice-Commander, and as
general rule. whoever holds that office takes
the highest at the expiration Of the year.
Commander Wolf IA a lawyer by occupation,
a pleasant man to talk with. short and thick
set in build and popular with the veterans.
He WAS born in Holdernees, N. H. on Aug.
l. ls47, and pessed his early days working
on farm In that village. He was fond OF
books and early In life determined to have
an education. He fitted for college at Kim
ball Union Academy at Meredith N. II.
At the outbreak OF the civil war he en-
listed in the navy and served in the West
Gulf and North Atlantic squadrons and as
an able seaman took part In a number of
the great fights on the Mississippi River
and In Mobile Bay. He was serving on the
old frigate Minnesota at the time Of the
fight between the Merrimac and the Moni-
tor When the war was over he entered
with the first class to study In the Agri-
CULTURAL and Mechanics Art College at Dur
ham, now known as the State College He
was unable TO complete the course OF three
YEARS owing TO illness, and after studying
two years left to come to Boston, where he
entered the office OF Daniel W. Goooh q
lawyer and graduate OF Dartmouth.
Then he attended the Harvard law school
and was admitted to the Suffolk Bar In
June. 1873.
Wolf then went to Daren, Ga, where
he taught school among the negroes during
the year 1870 and then he began practice
In the United States courts Of Maryland.
being the first negro to do so.
SO high was he feeling against negroes
In Maryland at that time that it was said
openly that he would not be allowed to
practise In the Maryland courts, but he
did, although the cases he handled did
not prove very profitable to him, and he
was glad to leave Baltimore after eighteen
months and return to Boston. Gov. John
d. Long appointed him clerk In the Adj
Jutant- Generals office a post he held for
three years. when he again entered the legal
field. becoming a partner in the firm Of
Walker, Wolff i Brown.
Wolff has been a member OF the Grand
Army only short time twelve years only
having elapsed since he first Joined Fran lis
Washburn Post o2 OF Br ghton, but since
then he has served as post commander.
Then Department Commander John Z. Gil
man appointed him Judge Advocate OF the
Massachusetts department, and he held
the same Office under Commander Peter D.
Smith of Andover. Four years ago Com
rnander-in-C Chief Loo Rassieur OF St. Louis
named him a. Judge Advocate General
Of the national organization. the first and
only time negro has held that office In
the G. A. r. Then In turn he Was elected
Junior Vce-Commander of the Department
OF Massachusetts, and Senior Vice Com
mander, and on Tuesday he attained the
highest Office in the gift of State depart
ment.
Wolf married Mercy A, daughter of
Samuel T. Birmingham, an old botanic
physician Of the West End of Boston, In
1850 and has two sons, one Of whom was
graduated from Harvard last June. The
family lives In Brighton Commander
Wolf has been president OF the Wendell
Phillips Club and held high Offices in
number OF other organizations OF colored
men.