George Wolf was born in 1800 in Germany and immigrated to Canada at some point over the next several decades. There is very little known about George before he entered the Poorhouse as he was only living in Waterloo for two years prior to the first time he entered the House on August 11, 1873. He is listed as being a labourer and the cause of pauperism is sickness.
Register of Paupers, Vagrants, and Idiots received at the House of Industry and Refuge; Source: Region of Waterloo Archives
A little less than a year later, George absconded (escaped) from the House on June 23, 1874. This was the first of six times that George would re-enter the House between 1874-1884.
One of the original rules of the House was that no inmate was allowed to leave the premise without the permission of the Keeper. If they did, they would either be fined or sent to the County Gaol.
House of Industry and Refuge By-law 157; Source: Region of Waterloo Archives
The third time George absconded from the Poorhouse, he “served a term in the County Gaol for absconding”.
Register of Paupers, Vagrants, and Idiots received at the House of Industry and Refuge; Source: Region of Waterloo Archives
Below are the Gaol Records for George Wolf for several of the times he absconded from the Poorhouse.
George Wolf in the Waterloo County Gaol Records; Source: Ontario Archives
George Wolf is listed on the Register of Paupers, Vagrants, and Idiots received at the House of Industry and Refuge as inmate numbers 417, 483, 682, 709, 756, 809, and 930.
George Wolf died in the Poorhouse on September 29th, 1884 of old age.
George Wolf’s Death Certificate Source: ancestry.ca
