52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 1 - I'd Like to Meet

I have many ancestors I'd like to meet (I'm looking at you Thomas Chapman!) but one that I'm particularly curious about is my 3rd great grandfather, Abraham B. Wolff.

Abraham emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1852. He was 18 or 19 years old. I don't find any other Wolffs on the manifest of the ship he sailed on, so I assume he came alone. If I met him, I'd ask him why he emigrated and if he had any relatives already in the US.

His destination was listed as Rochester, New York, but Abraham was in Dundee, Yates County, about 65 miles south east of Rochester, when he met and married Emma Jane Layton in 1854. If I met him, I'd ask how he and Emma Jane got to know each other.

Emma Jane's family had been in Yates County for over 50 years. It seems unusual she married a recent immigrant. Abraham must have spoken English well (or good enough) and had reasonable prospects. I cannot see how the family of 19 year old Emma Jane would have allowed the marriage otherwise. He had beautiful handwriting, which implies he was educated. If I met him, I'd ask about his schooling in Germany.

Their first child, a daughter named Ada Estella, was born in 1857. This picture is of the family in about 1860. If I met him, I'd ask what family life was like.

In 1862, Abraham enlisted in the 148th New York Volunteers as a private and was promoted to Sergeant Major. He was discharged in 1863 because of a disability. If I met him, I'd ask about his war time experiences.

The family had 3 more children and moved to Rochester, NY, where Abraham worked in various occupations, bought a house for his growing family, and was elected to two terms on the Board of Supervisors. At right is a family photo taken in 1913 - Abraham and Emma Jane are seated in the front row, with their granddaughter and great-granddaughter. Ada Estella is in the back on the right. Emma Jane passed away in 1914 and Abraham in 1918. If I met him, I'd tell him he had a wonderful life.