John Calhoun (publisher)

John Calhoun (April 14, 1808 – February 20, 1859) was an American publisher and politician from New York. Originally a student of carpentry, Calhoun learned the publishing trade in his hometown of Watertown, New York. After hearing about Chicago from a local, he moved there in 1833. Calhoun established the first paper in Chicago, the Chicago Democrat, which was first issued on November 26, 1833. Calhoun held a monopoly on the trade in Chicago until 1835; the next year he sold it to Long John Wentworth. Later in his life, Calhoun served a number of city and county political positions, including a seat on the Chicago City Council.