George Wolf

George Wolf (August 12, 1777 – March 11, 1840) was the seventh governor of Pennsylvania from 1829 to 1835. On June 29, 1888, he was recognized as the "father of the public-school system" in Pennsylvania by the erection of a memorial gateway at Easton.

Early life and education Wolf was born in Allen Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, in present-day Northampton County, Pennsylvania, to George and Mary Wolf, who immigrated to the United States from Alsace, then part of France, in 1751.

Governor of Pennsylvania As member of the Jacksonian Democratic Party, Wolf defeated Joseph Ritner in both 1829 and 1832 to become the Governor of Pennsylvania. A large crowd attended his inaugural ceremonies on December 15, 1829. Wolf was in office during the 1834 Philadelphia race riot.

He lost the governor's seat to the Anti-Mason candidate Ritner in 1835, owing to the defection of a part of the Democrats, who voted for Henry A. Muhlenberg.

Lafayette College From 1827 to 1840, Wolf was a trustee of Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Final years In 1836, Andrew Jackson appointed him as First Comptroller of the Treasury. Two years later, President Martin Van Buren appointed him as Collector of Customs for the District of Philadelphia in a job swap with James Nelson Barker. He held this office until his death.

Personal life Wolf married Mary Erb (1781–1833) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on June 5, 1798.

Legacy

Buildings, schools, and streets named for Wolf include: Governor Wolf Building, built in 1893 as the first Easton High School in Easton, Pennsylvania George Wolf Elementary School in Bath, Pennsylvania Governor Wolf Elementary School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Governor Wolf Historical Society and Wolf Academy, where Wolf received a classical education, in Bath, Pennsylvania Wolf Hall at Pennsylvania State University. Wolf's name is also inscribed on the Burrowes Building the university Wolf Street in Philadelphia Wolf Township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania