Mrs. Ida May Wolfe bio.

submitted by Taryn Hopey
11/5/2003

Book: Lymans HISTORY of OLD WALLA WALLA, COLUMBIA, GARFIELD, and Asotin 
Counties.
by. W.D. LYMAN, M.A., Lit.D
Illustrated
Volume 1
Chicago, The S.J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1918
pages 522-523


      
       BIOGRAPHY of MRS. IDA MAY WOLFE

Mrs. Ida May WOLFE, widely and favorably known in Walla Walla county, is a 
representative of one of the oldest pioneer families.  She resides on section 
35, township 8  north, range 36 east, where she owns a valuable farming 
property.  She was born on the site of the present city of Dayton and is a 
daughter of Oliver C. and Mary E. (MEALEY) GALLAHER.  Her mother was a daughter 
of Dr. MEALY, who was one of the noted men of his day.  Her father crossed the 
plains in 1845, when few white men had penetrated into the vast wilderness of 
the northwest.  He drove across the hot stretches of sand over the mountain 
passes and at length reached the Willamette valley of Oregon, where he took up a 
donation claim.  At that time the city of Portland had no existence and the work 
of progress and improvement had scarcely been begun in all the vast northwest. 
He resided in the Willamette valley until the spring of 1862, when he came to 
Walla Walla county and took up his abode in the Walla Walla valley, where he 
resided until the time of his death.  His entire life was devoted to farming and 
he contributed much to the early agriculture development of this section of the 
country.  His efforts were an importan factor in promoting progress and 
improvement in the Inland Empire and he was among those who laid broad and deep  
the foundatin upon which is built the present prosperity and progress of the 
county.  His political allegiance was always given to the republican party and 
he took an active and helpful interest in politics, recognizing the duties and 
obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship.  In a word, he left the 
impress of his individualty for good upon the development of this section of the 
state and his memory is yet revered and honored by many who knew him in the 
early days.  In his family were six children, three of whom are now living.

His daughter, Mrs. WOLFE, was reared and educated in Walla Walla county and is 
familiar with many phases of pioneer life here.  In 1883 she became the wife of 
W.H. BUROKER, a pioneer of this county, having come here in 1864.  Through their 
united thrift and industry they acquired a large and valuable property which at 
the death of Mr. BUROKER in 1902 was equally divided among the legal heirs.  To 
Mr. and Mrs. BUROKER were born five children: Zenna, the wife of L.O. McINROE, 
Ina J., the wife of Frank McINROE, of Walla Walla county; Forrest L., who is a 
resident farmer of Walla Walla county; one who is deceased; and Mary E., the 
wife of R.W. RIGSBY.  Several years after the death of her first husband Mrs. 
BUROKER became the wife of L. R. WOLFE in 1906.  Her father died on the 29th of 
May 1916, having long survived his wife, who passed away about thirty-nine years 
ago.  They were both laid to rest in this county.

Mrs. WOLFE is now the owner of several hundred acres of fine land which has been 
brought under a high state of cultivation and returns spledid crops annually, 
thus providing the family with a very substanial income.  Mr. WOLFE belongs to 
the Independent ORder of Odd Fellows and to the Knights of Pythias and Mrs. 
WOLFE is connected with the Rebekah lodge, the ladies auxiliary of the Odd 
Fellows.  She is also a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and takes a very active and helpfu part in church work, 
contributing generously to its support.  Her entire life has been passed in this 
county, where she is most widely known, and she has a very extensive circle of 
warm friends, who enjoy her companionship and enterain for her the highest 
regard.