My Genealogy Hound

John B. Wolfe, editor and proprietor of the Democrat at California, Mo., was born in Montgomery County, Md., in 1840, and was reared and educated in that State. He removed with his parents to Johnson County, Mo., in 1860, purchased and published a paper, the Sentinel, in Warrensburg, and conducted the same for eighteen months. About this time the great Civil War was creating great excitement, very little business was done, and nearly every citizen had shouldered his musket and donned his suit of blue or gray to take part in the fray. Mr. Wolfe locked up his office, and in 1863 returned to his native State, where he remained for one year, when he returned to Missouri. In May, 1865, he located at Jamestown, Moniteau County, Mo., and there engaged in the general mercantile business. For a number of years he conducted a large and extensive trade. In connection with this pursuit he was an extensive dealer in tobacco, grain and stock; also was engaged in packing pork for a number of years. He continued his business in Jamestown until May, 1883, when he purchased the California Democrat, and again entered the journalistic field. The Democrat is a newsy and entertaining sheet, and is one of the leading papers of Central Missouri. In 1867 Mr. Wolfe was married to Miss Maggie Martin, youngest daughter of Col. Jonathan P. Martin, who was one of the prominent pioneers of this section of the country. Three children survive this union, a son and two daughters. Mrs. Wolfe died in 1881, and Mr. Wolfe was united in marriage in 1886 to Mrs. Ella M. Owens, nee Thorpe, widow of the late Samuel H. Owens, a distinguished citizen of Moniteau County. Mr. Wolfe is among the best known men in the county, as his business has been such as to have caused him to have dealings with almost every one. His paper was established in 1858, and has a large circulation. He takes an active interest in politics and public affairs, but has never shown any disposition to seek office, although earnestly and frequently solicited to become a candidate for various positions of trust.