The collection was created by two families the Wolf and Boeer Families who imigrated during the mid to late 19th Century from Germany to Texas. Karl Wolf’s parents had moved to Texas during the 1890’s. Karl Wolf became involved with the “Free Thinkers” Club a social organization that supported freedom, democracy, and nationalism. He eventually married Louisa Boeer, daughter of Maria Wolf Boeer. After moving from the Houston area, Karl’s family settled in Old Glory, Texas where they raised two daughters, Mina and Ilse Wolf. Mina and Ilse both graduated from Texas Technological College in 1932. They each have master’s and doctoral degrees from other universities. Indirectly, Mina and Ilse Wolf are related to Thomas A. Hickey, the Texas socialist and publisher of the The Rebel . Their aunt, Clara, the daughter of Maria Wolf Boeer and sister of Louisa, married Hickey in the very early 1900s. Maria Boeer’s correspondence describes her association with the socialist movement as well as association with German writers from abroad. The family heritage of the Boeer and Wolf Families are detailed from their writing to and from their relatives and friends abroad and in the United States.
From the guide to the Boeer/Wolf Families Papers, R1. 1., 1837-1972 and undated, (Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University)
