People Profile: Ethel Wolf

Ethel Davis Wolf was born in Montgomery on April 16, 1918 to Minnie Carpenter and Edward Davis. She was one of six children, including sisters Mabel and Gladys, brother Edward and an infant Roy who died not long after birth. She did not know her other brother John, as he died in France in October, 1918. He had served with the National Guard in Aurora and was a private in the U.S. Army.

Ethel's father Edward was a farmer on Baseline Road, with 60 acres of planting plus many pigs to raise. Ethel’s mom was a homemaker.

Ethel attended Bertram School in Sugar Grove Township, and West Aurora High School, but didn’t complete her diploma because she married Albert Wolf on May 1, 1936. Albert worked in the construction trades, and passed a quiet death in 1976. They had three sons: John, Albert Jr., and Thomas. John died at age 32. Albert lives in Oswego. Thomas lives in Huntley.

Ethel has six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Her story begins much earlier, however, when Henry Keck emigrated from Bavaria, Germany, and settled in Philadelphia. With glowing reports of the land by the Fox River, his son Jacob Keck left Philadelphia in 1841. 

Jacob’s son Adam Keck had a daughter, Phoebe, who married Adam Carpenter. Ethel’s grandfather John Carpenter had bought the land in Montgomery where the Methodist Church would be built on Main Street. Montgomery Methodist Church was the first congregation in the village.

“I am the last surviving descendent of Jacob Keck,” Ethel said. “I am the only one left.”

Ethel is delightful, alert and, at age 93, possessing of a remarkable memory.

“During my childhood, I remember that I wanted to go to Michael’s store and order a chocolate ice cream cone," she said. "I would sit on the front porch, feet dangling over the edge of the porch while I ate the ice cream. Mother would also stop and get an ice cream cone for me, dangling it out the window, dripping, as she brought it home for me. Today, my family will bring me butter pecan ice cream because they know I like it so much.”

Ethel recalls the Keck family reunions where family members were asked to perform little songs and skits. She has photographs of many of the Keck family reunions dating from 1900.

From a yellowed Beacon News article of 1901 that she has kept: “The fourth annual reunion of the Keck family was held at Riverview Park on August 2, 1901. It was an ideal day for such a gathering of 150 relatives and visitors who partook of the sumptuous dinner spread before them. There followed a varied program of song, reading and recitation. After the program, goodbyes were said and all departed for their several homes. All had a joyous time.”  

Ethel Wolf has lived at Anderson Farm Apartments in Montgomery for the last 13 years. At 93, she still cooks her own meals and has no regular help.

“Due to this summer’s extreme heat, I have stayed inside mostly," she said. "There were no garden plots this year so none of us could garden. My family never had playing cards in the house so none of us grew up enjoying that pastime. I know some residents play cards, but I don’t.

"On Tuesdays and Sundays I attend Bible study at the First Presbyterian Church in Aurora. I drive a 1986 Pontiac that is still in good condition,” she laughed.

"I am happy living here," she said. "It is home."