Representative Joseph Scott Wolff

Joseph Scott Wolff (June 14, 1878 – February 27, 1958) was a U.S. Representative from Missouri and a member of the Democratic Party who served one term in the United States Congress from 1923 to 1925. Born on a farm in Westmoreland County near Greensburg, Pennsylvania, he spent his early years in a rural setting that shaped his formative experiences before embarking on military, professional, and political careers that would span several decades and multiple fields.

As a young man, Wolff entered military service during a pivotal moment in American history. He served with the 4th Cavalry Regiment in the Philippines during the Spanish–American War, participating in the overseas expansion and military engagements that followed the conflict. This period of service provided him with early exposure to public duty and national affairs, experiences that would later inform his civic and political life.

Following his military service, Wolff relocated to Missouri, moving to St. Louis in 1901. He pursued professional education in dentistry and graduated from the Washington University School of Dental Medicine in 1905. After receiving his dental degree, he established a practice and worked as a dentist in both St. Louis and Festus, Missouri. His professional standing in these communities helped lay the groundwork for his entry into local politics and public service.

Wolff’s political career began at the municipal level in Festus. He was elected mayor of Festus and served from 1907 to 1911, and then again from 1915 to 1917. During these nonconsecutive terms, he was responsible for overseeing local governance and municipal affairs in a growing Missouri community. His leadership in Festus elevated his profile within the Democratic Party and positioned him for higher office at the state level.

In 1913, Wolff was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives, where he served for two years. His tenure in the state legislature provided him with legislative experience and familiarity with statewide issues, further preparing him for national office. Even as he remained active in public life, he continued to advance his education. In 1923, he graduated from the St. Louis College of Law and Finance and was subsequently admitted to the bar, adding the practice of law to his established dental career.

Wolff’s service in the United States Congress occurred during a significant period in American history marked by post–World War I adjustments and domestic political change. A Democrat, he was elected to the 68th United States Congress and served as a Representative from Missouri from March 4, 1923, to March 3, 1925. As a member of the House of Representatives, Joseph Scott Wolff participated in the legislative process, represented the interests of his Missouri constituents, and contributed to the democratic process during his single term in office. He sought reelection in 1924 but was unsuccessful in his campaign to return to Congress.

In 1924, following his congressional service, Wolff moved to Kansas City, Missouri. There he maintained a dual professional life, practicing both dentistry and law. He continued in these professions for more than three decades, remaining active in his community and in public affairs until his retirement in 1957. Joseph Scott Wolff died the following year, on February 27, 1958, and was interred at Gambel Cemetery in Festus, Missouri, closing a life that encompassed military service, professional achievement, and public office at the local, state, and national levels.