Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
JOHN MEHLHOP, SON AND COMPANY
JOHN MEHLHOP, SON AND COMPANY. In 1856, John MEHLHOP Sr. began his grocery business in Dubuque. In the mid-1860s, he formed a business partnership with a Mr. Murdoch in the firm of Mehlhop & Murdoch at 72 Main. Marshall Kingman bought out Murdoch's interest in the company to create Mehlhop & Kingman. This business arrangement lasted until April 1, 1868. In 1874 Mehlhop took in William L. ORRICK as a partner. With the addition of his son, the company was renamed John Mehlhop, Son and Company. John Mehlhop was the president, Henry H. Mehlhop was vice-president, and W. L. Orrick served as the secretary and treasurer.
The premises occupied by the firm included a ten-floor 43X113 foot building in which was stored a large and diversified stock of staple goods and fancy groceries, grocers' supplies, teas, and coffees. A specialty was M. S. &. C. Coffee, of which the firm was the sole proprietors. The company was also an agent for the Perfection Scale.
The company employed eighteen clerks and assistants and a staff of traveling salesmen representing the firm in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and the territory of Dakota.
The last year of the John Mehlhop, Son and Company was 1902. In 1903 the company led by John's son Henry was renamed HENRY H. MEHLHOP, a wholesaler of teas and cigars. Henry remained in this business through 1916.
In 1917 the tea part of the business was discontinued and the company was listed in directories as a wholesale cigar merchant.
The 1875-1876 Dubuque City Directory placed the business at 394 and 398 Main.
The business, incorporated in 1891, was located at 179-197 Iowa.
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Source:
The Industries of Dubuque: Her Relations as a Trade Center, Dubuque: J. M. Elster and Company, Publishers, 1887, p. 60
Burggraff, Mike. 2010 Update to the Antique Bottles of Iowa. Fairfield, Iowa: Frontline Printing & Design
Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1894, p. 524