William Rolf immigrated to the United States from Germany with his parents Henry and Adeline Rolf as an infant. He became a naturalized citizen.
On 24 February 1862, at the age of 16, he enlisted with the Union Army in Indiana. He served in Company K, Indiana 26th Infantry Regiment. He was mustered out on 15 Jan 1866 at Indianapolis, Indiana.
The 26th Infantry participated in the following battles; Fought on 19 Sep 1861 at Glasgow, MO., 20 Sep 1861 at Glasgow, MO., 19 Jun 1862, (no place given), 7 Dec 1862 at Prairie Grove, AR., 27 May 1863 at Pilot Knob, MO., 27 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS., 30 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS., 29 Sep 1863 at Camp Sterling, LA., 12 Nov 1863 at Tyler, TX., 27 Mar 1865 at Spanish Fort, AL., 1 Apr 1865 at Spanish Fort, AL., and Dec 1865 at Artesia, MS.

(Source: U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 and from the report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana.)

He married his wife Dora M., age 17,(1852-1936), in 1869 at the age of 24. They migrated to Kansas and homesteaded a farm near Iuka, Pratt County, Kansas. They had 13 living children. They were divorced in 1897 and he migrated alone to California at the age of 52. He passed away in 1930 at the age of 85.

CHILDREN:
John Henry 1870-1952, Fred James 1872-1943, Marie 1873-1876, Willie 1875-1875, Sophia Carrie 1876-1877, Margaret Addie 1878-1904, Anna Mary 1880-1947, George 1881-1881, Robert William 1882-1940, Harry George 1884-1951, Clara Mabel 1885-1974, Frank 1886-1886, Grace Laura 1887-1901, Edgar David 1888-1925, Cora May 1889-1975, Ernest Clarence 1891-1892, James Walter 1892-1991, Herbert Charles 1893-1919, Raymond Edward 1894-1990, and Baby Rolf 1897-1897.

Shared by Clan Logan (#48430548)