William W. Wagner, proprietor of the Monroe House, of Jefferson City, Mo., was born in Cole County, Mo., February 10, 1855, and is a son of George and Catherine (Wolfrum) Wagner, both natives of Germany, who immigrated to America in 1842, and in 1844 located on a farm in Cole County, Mo., where they remained until 1869, when they removed to Jefferson City. The parents are still living in Jefferson City, where the father is largely interested in the brewery business. William W. remained on the farm until seventeen years of age, when he went to St. Louis, and there attended school about eighteen months. Returning home, he remained on the farm for a time, and subsequently engaged in the saloon business. In 1879 he opened the Monroe House in Jefferson City, which he still conducts. The house is situated on the corner of Monroe and High Streets, and has forty-three transient rooms. As a landlord Mr. Wagner has few superiors, and a customer once secured is a life-long friend. In 1878 Mr. Wagner married Lena Bohrer, a native of Jefferson City, by whom he has five children, viz.: Victor, Georgia, Alma, Alfred and Stella. Mr. Wagner is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P. He was elected sheriff of Cole County in 1882, and re-elected in 1884, holding the office two consecutive terms, with much credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is president of the Light, Heat and Power Company, of Jefferson City, and treasurer of the City Water Works.

Transcribed from:
History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Company (1889).