Wolff, Theodore H. (1905-1999), Papers, 1865-1979 (C3057)

.8 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

These papers contain manuscripts, correspondence, and research materials used by Reverend Theodore Wolff in his writings. Also included are the writings of his colleagues and information on the Methodist movement in Missouri and other religious sectors.

DONOR INFORMATION

The Theodore Wolff Papers were donated to the State Historical Society of Missouri by Mrs. Betty Cook Rottmann on 30 December 1974 (SHS Accession No. 1118). Additions to the collection were made by Given A. Brewer on 1 January 1977 (SHS Accession No. 2052), Reverend Theodore Wolff on 11 August 1977 (SHS Accession No. 2101), and by Given A. Brewer on 11 August 1977 (SHS Accession No. 2102).

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Theodore H. Wolff was born in Leslie, Missouri, at his family farm on April 21, 1905. At the age of 16 he attended Central Wesleyan Academy in Warrenton, Missouri and then pursued his studies at Central Wesleyan College also in Warrenton. Wolff become a preacher at the age of sixteen when he sent away for his local preacher’s license, which he renewed annually until he became a member of the Annual Methodist Conference. While attending Central Wesleyan College, he received academic honors and won the college’s oratorical contest. Also while attending college, Wolff began preaching at the college’s Methodist church. Wolff continued his service to the East Conference Circuit with assignments such as Drake, Cabool, Marionville, Berger-Senate Grove, Houston, Dixon Larger Parish, Sullivan, Wentzville, Waynesville, and Chaffee, Missouri.

Wolff served several functions for the Eastern Conference including membership on the Board of Pensions, Board Secretary, District Secretary of Missions, Secretary of the District, Conference Historian and Presenter.

He married Matilda E. Fabre, a St. Louis, Missouri native, on September 14, 1929. She assisted him in his writings, church duties, and tracking membership. After retiring in June of 1967, due to health concerns, Wolff began concentrating on his writings and adding to his extensive library.

At the time of his death, the Wolffs were living in Gerald, Missouri, and were members of Champion City Methodist Church.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The papers contain manuscripts, correspondence, research, and information compiled on conference statistics and church histories. Most of the writings were original works by Wolff, while others were written by a colleague, which Wolff then retyped for preservation concerns. Several of his works were published and distributed to conference attendees and interested parties across the United States.

The foundations of his writings are clearly documented in the research and correspondence he donated to the State Historical Society of Missouri. The papers are arranged into five series which cover Wolff’s manuscripts, supporting research and correspondence in creating the works, historical data, writings, and speeches on religion, and miscellany. These series are:

FOLDER LIST

Manuscript Series

The Manuscript series consists of finished and unfinished copies of his writings and transcription work, which are arranged by title of the manuscript. The focus of his writings and research was Jacob Lanius, a Methodist circuit rider in the 1830s. The outcome of Wolff researching Lanius' diary and writings was the manuscript entitled, "On the Trail of Jacob Lanius." Wolff's study of Jacob Lanius led to his interest in researching Lanius descendants. The result was a book entitled The Tin Box about Addison Brewer, Lanius' son-in-law. Given A. Brewer, a Lanius descendant, assisted with revisions and additions to this work. The series also contains two other manuscripts written by individuals with whom Wolff had close relationships through the East Annual Methodist Conference.

f. 1-3“On the Trail of Jacob Lanius”
f. 4-5“On the Trail of Jacob Lanius” and supporting notes
f. 6-8“The Long Trek” by Arthur W. Darter
f. 9The Tin Box, by Theodore Wolff and Given Brewer, 1979
f. 10The Tin Box, revisions and notes by Given Brewer, 1979
f. 11-13“German Missions in Missouri,” by Reverend Adam Miller

Research Series

The Research series contains notes, newspaper clippings, and materials related to Jacob Lanius and his descendants. This series is arranged topically. Most of the notes are typed but some are handwritten.

f. 14-17Jacob Lanius and family
f. 18Newspaper clippings on Jacob Lanius diary

Correspondence Series

The Correspondence series is primarily focused on Wolff's initial steps in gathering information on Jacob Lanius and his descendants. Wolff bound together his notes by subject and or recipient. In order to preserve his original order, the correspondence is arranged chronologically by the date of the cover letter. Other correspondence dealt with other manuscripts and the donation of Lanius family portraits to the State Historical Society of Missouri.

f. 19Jacob Lanius diary, 1962-1973
f. 20Lanius family portraits, 1976
f. 21-35“On the Trail of Jacob Lanius” research
f. 211961-1962
f. 22January-June 6, 1963
f. 23June 9-December 1963
f. 241964-1971
f. 25February-May 15, 1972
f. 26May 19-November 30, 1972
f. 27January-April 8, 1973
f. 28April 20-August 13, 1973
f. 29August 27-September 19, 1973
f. 30September 24-October 10, 1973
f. 31October 10-October 15, 1973
f. 32October 15-December 31, 1973
f. 33January-March 15, 1974
f. 34March 16-October 1974
f. 351976-1977
f. 36“The Long Trek”
f. 37The Tin Box, 1976

Religion in Missouri Series

The Religion in Missouri series includes other writings and data compiled by Theodore Wolff on the subject of religion in Missouri. Materials include "A Narrative of the St. Louis Annual Conference," Quarterly Conference Meetings of the Wentzville and Cottleville circuits, Annual Catalogue of Paynesville Pritchett Institute, Conference Statistical Reports, and other church histories. This series also includes an address given by Alfred Friedli at Central Wesleyan College, Warrenton, Missouri, in 1973.

f. 38United Methodist Church Quarterly Conference Meetings, Wentzville Circuit, 1867-1889
f. 39United Methodist Church Quarterly Conference Meetings, Cottleville Circuit, 1867-1884
f. 40Peniel Methodist Church, New Melle, MO, 1869-1960
f. 41Methodist Church Histories in Missouri
f. 42Annual Catalogue of Paynesville Pritchett Institute, 1889-1890
f. 43Champion City Methodist Church Report, c. 1967
f. 44Statistical Reports for the United Methodist Church, 1972-1973
f. 45Methodist Church Conference Materials, St. Louis, MO, 1924
f. 46Missouri East Conference meeting notes
f. 47Religions in Saint Louis: A Strong Heritage; 1976 clergy roster
f. 48Address at Central Wesleyan College, Warrenton, MO, February 24, 1973

Miscellaneous Series

The Miscellaneous series includes a map of the City of Columbia, Calvary Church Cemetery Landmark Tombstone brochure, the article, "Missouri Plantation Life," by Berenice Morrison-Fuller (1937); a biography of William Null (1924); and memorial cards from the German Methodist Episcopal Church in New Melle, Missouri.

f. 49Miscellaneous- map of the City of Columbia, Calvary Church Cemetery Landmark Tombstone brochure, “Missouri Plantation Life,” by Berenice Morrison-Fuller (1937); a biography of William Null (1924); and memorial cards from the German Methodist Episcopal Church in New Melle, Missouri

INDEX TERMS

These index terms are the subjects, people, places, etc. under which this collection is listed in all available indexes at The State Historical Society of Missouri-Columbia. If you are interested in a specific index term, please contact the reference staff.

Index TermsLocation
Bayse, John W. (1770-1845)f. 1, 15, 21
Brewer family--Genealogyf. 9, 10
Brewer, Addison Lanius (1848-1940)f. 10 (pictorial content)
Brewer, Addison Lanius (1848-1940)f. 9 (pictorial content)
Brewer, Basil (1809-1849)f. 9 (pictorial content)
Brewer, Basil (1809-1849)f. 9, 10, 15
Brewer, Edward Denton (1895- )f. 10
Brewer, Given A.f. 9 (pictorial content)
Brewer, Given A.f. 8-10, 35, 37
Brewer, Jane McMurry (1812-1866)f. 10 (pictorial content)
Brewer, Jean Givenf. 9 (pictorial content)
Brewer, Jessie (1879-1974)f. 9 (pictorial content)
Brewer, Jessie (1879-1974)f. 10 (pictorial content)
Brewer, Juliet Lanius (1848-1918)f. 9, 10, 16
Brewer, Juliet Lanius (1848-1918)f. 9 (pictorial content)
Brewer, Maryf. 10
Brewer, Robert Davidf. 10
Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis, Missourif. 49
Central Methodist College, Fayette, Missourif. 2
Central Wesleyan College, Warrenton, Missourif. 48
Central Wesleyan Orphan Home, Warrenton, Missourif. 48
Champion City Methodist Church, Champion City, Missourif. 42
Churches, Methodist--Missourif. 40, 41, 45
Churches, Methodist--Missouri--Historyf. 1-3, 11, 14-18, 41, 44, 45, 48
Circuit riders--Missourif. 1-3, 9, 14-18
Circuit riders--Missouri, Cottlevillef. 39
Circuit riders--Missouri, Wentzillef. 38
Clergy--Missouri, St. Louisf. 47
Colston family--Genealogyf. 10
Darter familyf. 6-8
Darter, Anthony Williamf. 6-8, 36
Diaries--Menf. 2, 3, 14-19, 21, 23, 25-27
Ebenezer Methodist Church, Berger, Missourif. 41
Farm life--Missouri, 1880sf. 6, 7, 49
Farm life--Missouri, 1900sf. 7, 8
First United Methodist Church, Lebanon, Missourif. 41
Friedli, Alfredf. 48
Harner familyf. 6
Hydesburg Cemetery, Hydesburg, Missourif. 26, 28, 33
Hydesburg Methodist Episcopal Church South, Hydesburg, Missourif. 15, 16, 27, 34
Ichord, Richard (1926-1992)f. 30
Jacobs, Robert P.f. 47
Lanius family--Genealogyf. 1-4, 9, 10, 16, 23, 26, 33
Lanius family--Portraitsf. 1-3, 9, 10, 20, 23, 24
Lanius, Carol V.f. 2, 17, 19, 21-23
Lanius, Jacob (1814-1851)f. 9 (pictorial content)
Lanius, Jacob (1814-1851)f. 1-5, 9, 10, 14-35, 37
Lanius, James A. (1846- )f. 1-3, 15, 33
Lanius, Juliet Mitchell (1848-1918)f. 9, 10
Lanius, Juliet Mitchell (1848-1918)f. 9 (pictorial content)
Lanius, Lauraf. 19, 21, 23-25
Lanius, Nancy Tong (1813-1886)f. 1, 3, 10, 15, 16, 20, 37
Lanius, Nancy Tong (1813-1886)f. 9, 10 (pictorial content)
Lanius, Tudorf. 1, 2, 9, 23, 24, 34
Lawrence, B.I.f. 19, 24, 26, 27-29, 35
McKasson, Dorothyf. 9 (pictorial content)
McMurry family--Genealogyf. 9, 10
McMurry, Rebeccaf. 10 (pictorial content)
Methodist Children's Home of Missouri, St. Louis, Missourif. 48
Methodist Episcopal Church Conferencef. 45
Methodist Episcopal Church Southf. 38, 39
Miller, Adamf. 11-13
Missions, German--United Statesf. 11-13
Missouri East Conference Commission on Archives and Historyf. 25, 27, 46
Missouri West Conference Commission on Archives and Historyf. 26, 27
Missouri, Boone County--Maps, 1970sf. 49
Missouri, Columbia--Maps, 1970sf. 49
Missouri, Floridaf. 30
Missouri, Hydesburgf. 30
Missouri, St. Louis--Church historyf. 47
Monroe, Andrew (1792-1871)f. 14, 26
Morrison-Fuller, Berenicef. 49
Null, Williamf. 49
Old Tavern, Arrow Rock, Missourif. 32 (pictorial content)
Park, Francis H.f. 1-5, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 30, 32, 33
Paynesville Pritchett Institute, Paynesville, Missourif. 21, 42
Peniel Methodist Church, New Melle, Missourif. 40, 49
Pinckney familyf. 35
Plantation life--Missourif. 49
Rarbitha, Saiah Immerline (1865-1947)f. 7
Religion--Missouri, St. Louisf. 47
St. Louis Annual Methodist Church Conferencef. 45, 46
St. Louis Annual Methodist Church Conference, 1923f. 45 (pictorial content)
Swinney familyf. 25, 26, 28, 32, 49
Swinney, William D.f. 2, 23, 25, 26, 29, 49
Tong family--Genealogyf. 3, 9, 10
Tucker, Frank C.f. 16, 30
Wolff, Matildaf. 3, 22, 43
Wolff, Theodore (1905-1999)f. 9 (pictorial content)
Wolff, Theodore (1905-1999)f. 1-6, 8-10, 14-39, 42-49
Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, Beemont, Missourif. 41