The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-31


His death was sudden and came as
a shock to his relatives and friends.
Mr.. Wolff seemed in the best of health
when he ate breakfast this morning.
His son, Charles Wolff, jr., went to his
office as usual and when he arrived
was told to return Immediately. His
father died before he reached there.
Mr.. Wolff was iii for thirty days.
but his condition was at no time con-
sfdered serfoue. He was not able to
take an active interest In his business
il. this time, but expected to return to
his office in a few days.
Tuesday Mr.. Wolff was out OF doors
and was able to be at his office. He
was a Mason and 1t Is probable that
the Masonic order will conduct the
funeral services. Mr.. Wolffs home
was at Tenth avenue and Polk street.
He Was Born in Germany.
Mr.. Wolff was born in Bavaria.
bilious boy and as he had heard of the
opportunities in the United States he
determined to come to this country to
cast his lot. He was 13 years of age
when he left the home country.
1t was at LeavenwOrth that he
started his life work-that of handling
meat. He served as an assistant in a
shop in that city. He was quick to
learn and was soon considered a most
useful person in the establishment.
In 1876 young Wolff came to To-
peka. For some time he worked for
other people. but at last after having
carefully saved his money he found
himself in a position to open a shop
of his own. This was at about $40
Kansas avenue. He was proprietor
of a market from 1876 until 1882.
Because of his square dealing his
business grew rapidly and his custom
ers included many of the most influ-
entail persons in the city. John r.
Mulvane and his brother Joab became
interested in him, and financed him
in the enterprise Of which he has been
at the head for years-the Charles
Wolff Packing company.
The plant was but a small concern
on the bank of the Kaw river when
in 1885 the business was started, but
due to good management 1t has grown
ent time the firm employs two hum
dred and fifty persons. and does an
annual business of more than
$3.O0o.000.
Tribute from e. HI. Crosby.
Mr.. Wolffs friends and associates
who heard of his death this morning
expressed the opinion that his loss
will be keenly felt in the community.
.Charles stayed right at the block"
beefsteak that went on our table
when we came to Topeka in the spring
of 81 as bride and groom. We had a
store at 533 Kansas avenue and his
store was at about 528 or $50.
Topeka will feel his loss in more
ways than one. Personally as a man
I think he was in every sense a gen.
tleman. 1 never heard a man in his
employ speak poorly of him, and the
farmers who did business with him
always had a good word to say.
Il watched with great interest the
growth of the man. He has always
been a liberal contributor towards
anything for the good of the town."
j. IL. Mulvane Tells of Early Start.
John r. Mulvane, president of the
Bank of Topeka, and his brother as
sisted Mr.. Woln financially in starting
the plant which now does a great
business and which is noted for its
cleanliness. Mr.. Mulvane said:
"Mr. Wolff ran a butcher business
in Topeka for years and was known
as careful, worthy and honest man.
Il had tried to get Armours to oper-
ate in Topeka but they said they could
mt and recommended Mr.. Wolff to
start. My brother and 1 furnished
funds and we have been connected
with the firm ever since. There is a
business of over three million dollars
annually and the packing house is one
OF the cleanest establishments of the
Kind in the country. Mr.. WolR as a
German was full of the idea of clean
iness and godliness being twin brothers
and he insisted on cleanliness.
Mr.. Wolff was a royal good fellow.
1 have known him for IS years."