Encyclopedia Dubuque
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HANCOCK, W. J.
HANCOCK, W. J. (Devonshire, England, Oct. 7, 1847--New York, NY, November 10, 1891). Hancock and his family came to the United States when he was four years old. They migrated west and settled in Dubuque in 1857.(1)
Hancock began working as a messenger boy for the AMERICAN EXPRESS CO. in Dubuque when he was sixteen. In 1869 he was appointed the company agent at Freeport, Illinois. In 1875 he was appointed the superintendent of the Iowa and Nebraska division with its headquarters in Dubuque. His office was later transferred to Council Bluffs and he was appointed general superintendent. (2) He was later made general superintendent of the Wells-Fargo Company with headquarters in New York. In 1885 he negotiated control of the business on the Houston and Texas Central, Texas and Northwestern Texas Central, New York, Texas and Mexico, and Western Texas and Pacific railroads. (3)
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Source:
1. "Close of a Grand Career," Dubuque Daily Herald, November 11, 1891, p. 4
2. Ibid.
3. "Opening New Lines," The Dubuque Herald, December 9, 1885, p. 4