A Life of Law and Industry
Wallace Leroy DeWolf was an American lawyer, businessman, philanthropist, and artist. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he was the son of Calvin DeWolf, a prominent lawyer and secretary of the Illinois chapter of the American Anti-Slavery Society. After graduating with a Bachelor of Laws from the Union College of Law at the University of Chicago, DeWolf was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Illinois and opened a law office with his father in Chicago.
His professional life transitioned into the realms of real estate and corporate leadership. In 1894, he founded W. L. DeWolf & Co., a company specializing in warehousing and manufacturing. In 1901, he was named the president of the Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Company, a position he held until 1908. His tenure was marked by a stock controversy that reached the Illinois Supreme Court and a significant labor dispute involving the Brass Molder's Union Local 83 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Artistic Pursuits and Philanthropy
Beyond his business endeavors, DeWolf was a dedicated artist and patron of the arts. He was an etcher and painter whose works were exhibited at art galleries, including the Art Institute of Chicago. His commitment to the arts was further demonstrated through his membership in the Chicago Society of Etchers and his role as a trustee of the Pasadena Art Institute. He also served as the director of the Illinois chapter of the National Audubon Society.
DeWolf’s philanthropic legacy is tied to his significant contributions to the Art Institute of Chicago. He donated a collection of 143 etchings by Anders Zorn to the institution, leading to the naming of the DeWolf Gallery of American Landscapes in his honor. His multifaceted life concluded in Chicago, where he died in 1930.
