By Camille DeVaul and Lynne Schmitz
The story of the Wolf family is woven deep into the fabric of North San Luis Obispo County — stretching across seven generations and more than 150 years. It begins in 1868, when Adalbert and Maria (Filipe) Wolf left Vienna with their children in search of new opportunities, arriving first in New York and eventually settling in San Francisco. A skilled file-maker, Adalbert established the successful Union Filing Works before turning his gaze to California’s Central Coast.
In 1884, Adalbert and his son August homesteaded 160 acres east of Paso Robles in the Dry Creek Union District. Within two years, the rest of the family — Maria and their five other children — joined them. Together, they built a home, barns, and other improvements, planting grain and expanding the farm by leasing additional acreage. Two of the sons, Louis and Otto, would go on to become prominent local farmers, setting a standard of hard work and community spirit that continues today.
Louis, who married Anna Kase, farmed his own land along with leased property, and together they raised six children. Otto, a blacksmith as well as a farmer, married into the same family — his wife, Mary, was Anna’s sister. Otto’s and Louis’s descendants have carried on the family’s agricultural legacy across generations.
Tragedy struck when August (Gus) was lost at sea while fishing. Though only his ring was found washed ashore, his memory lives on with a marker at Estrella Graveyard, where five members of the original family are also buried.
Longevity seems to run in the family. Ella Wolf Adams, a local historian in San Miguel, lived to the age of 104, while her cousin, Dr. Harry Wolf of Morro Bay, reached 107. Both remained sharp and vibrant into their later years — something they often credited to “good genes.”
Today, Wolf descendants are still active in the North County community. They are known for their volunteerism, especially during Pioneer Day and in local civic groups. Their commitment to service traces back to a powerful family story: after settling their ranch near San Miguel, Adalbert and his family encountered a starving group of Salinan people. In a generous gesture, Adalbert slaughtered a steer and brought it to them. Days later, the tribe returned the kindness by leaving a buck deer on the family’s doorstep. That spirit of mutual respect and generosity defined early life on the ranch — and remains part of the family ethos.
Sixth-generation descendant Steve Kalar continues to live on that original ranch, where remnants of the past — including Native American artifacts — are still discovered. It’s a living reminder of the legacy the Wolf family has cultivated: one rooted in resilience, compassion, and a deep connection to the land.
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