He returned to Rochester in 1843, and in 1845 left for Battle Creek, Michigan with equipment sufficient to begin publication of the Western Citizen, the first newspaper ever published in that city.

He chaired a February meeting in his office, which led to a larger meeting in Battle Creek's Hinman Hall, which in turn led to the 'Under the Oaks' conclave in Jackson, Michigan, on July 6, 1854 (the first statewide convention that formed a platform and nominated candidates under the Republican name) where he was one of the sixty delegates who formed the new Republican Party.

In 1858, having freshly been elected to the legislature, he was one of the five local citizens appointed to write a charter for the new City of Battle Creek (until then a village).

In 1863, he sold the Journal to Charles E. Griffith, and for seven years published a second Michigan Tribune, which was accounted more successful than its predecessor.

[6] The Woolnoughs' eldest daughter, also named Emiline, in 1876 married newsman E. A. Egery, who would later serve a term in Wisconsin's legislature.