HOWIE, James

HOWIE, James. (Aberdeen, Scotland, Aug. 3, 1842--Seattle, WA, Aug. 22, 1907). Howie came to the United States on September 2, 1869 and arrived in Dubuque seven days later. He worked for James McLaren, a prominent contractor, for two years and then was employed by the DUBUQUE LUMBER COMPANY until 1877 when he established his own business. (1)

Howie was associated with the construction of the three-story brick block owned by Richard WALLER, a three-story brick building for Andrew & Tredway, a three-story brick building for William Andrew, SUMMIT CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, NORWEGIAN PLOW COMPANY, and the Ryder-Wallace Company building. (2)

In 1892 Howie was one of the organizers of the DUBUQUE PRESSED BRICK COMPANY. This company employed thirty men and was capable of producing thirty thousand brick daily. He was also one of the organizers of the DUBUQUE SPECIALTY MACHINE WORKS. He served as chairman of the Manufacturing Committee of the BOARD OF TRADE from 1892-1894. (3)

He was a founder of the original Christian Science Church. (4)

The James Howie Block at 278 W 17th Street was constructed in the 1880s. Around 2021 renovation of the 30-unit residential building and its exterior were completed. That year the project received a KEN KRINGLE HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD from the Dubuque Historic Preservation Commission. (5)

See: JAMES HOWIE

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Source:

1. Oldt, Franklin T. The History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880 p. 813-814

2. Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chapman Publishing Company, 1894, p. 202

3. Ibid.

4. "Dies From Effects of His Injuries," Telegraph-Herald, August 23, 1907, p. 5

5. Kruse, John, "Church, 5 Other Dubuque Restoration Projects Garner Honors," Telegraph Herald, May 12, 2021, p. 16