Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
CHARLES FOCKLER AND BROTHER
CHARLES FOCKLER AND BROTHER. Charles Fockler and Brother were manufacturers of Key City Carriage Tops. Natives of Pennsylvania, Charles and his brother came to Dubuque in 1860. Chas. Fockler, the senior member of the firm, invented the adjustable buggy tops in 1876. A traveling merchant of agricultural products, he developed a buggy top to protect himself from the sun. The reaction of people to the invention proved so great that he gave up his former occupation and the following year established the business. His brother practiced law in the city until joining his brother in business.
The company was the first to manufacture the adjustable buggy top in this country. The timber used in their business was selected and bought in Indiana and consisted of the second growth of ash. They cut it up with their own machinery there. The company had a steam room where the bows were bent and a drying-room, shops where the ironwork was made, enameling-room, and paint and trimming-rooms. They employed between fifty to seventy-five workers at a weekly cost of $600.
The company shipped its goods, the adjustable buggy top and the carriage extension tops, to every state and had a large trade on the Pacific Coast. Charles was in charge of the manufacturing department and his brother, L. Fockler, supervised the office and finances of the firm. In 1879 one hundred carriage tops were being made daily with fifty employees. (1) Annual earnings around 1880 were said to be $200,000. In September of 1880 they were exhibiting their products at the Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Missouri state fairs. (2)
The business began at 42 South Main.
The 1878-79 Dubuque City Directory listed the east side of Main between Jones and First.
The 1880 Dubuque City Directory indicated that this business was located at 46 Main.
---
Source:
1. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, April 10, 1879, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18790410&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
2. "Caught on the Fly, Dubuque Herald, September 4, 1880, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18800904&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
Oldt, Franklin T., History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Online. http://books.google.com/books?id=u9xDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA648&lpg=PA648&dq=KEY+CITY+CARRIAGE+TOPS&source=bl&ots=0CnBDKxT6u&sig=EFlJJUsEXsKwBtE8GHLWp-2W6MI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=oxmLUaTtE6vH0AHF_oG4Bw&ved=0CFEQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=KEY%20CITY%20CARRIAGE%20TOPS&f=false