Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
LAWTHER, William Sr.
LAWTHER, William, Sr. (Belfast, Ireland, June 29, 1847--Dubuque, IA, May 23, 1928). Lawther came to Dubuque with his father in 1862 as a boy of fifteen. He worked as a clerk in the business of his uncle, William Lawther, who was a partner in the mercantile firm of LAWTHER & STURGEON. When his uncle died, he took his uncle's place in the business. (1)
In 1891 William purchased the KEY CITY STEAM CANDY COMPANY, located at 126 Main Street, from J. H. ROACH. Because of the success of the candy factory, he kept the logo and added his name to it.
Articles of incorporation for the WILLIAM LAWTHER COMPANY were filed at the DUBUQUE COUNTY COURTHOUSE on July 10, 1899. Those incorporating the company were William Lawther, Sr., William LAWTHER, Jr., and Clem SHERIDAN. The company was capitalized at $150,000 and was to begin business on July 14, 1899. (2) In 1902 Lawther added a fourth floor to the three story building to accommodate the business which had expanded into South Dakota, Minnesota, and northern Illinois. When a fire destroyed the building in 1906, he opened a temporary office until the factory could be rebuilt so his customers could continue to rely on his candy. (3)
Lawther owned land in North Dakota. The city of New Leipzig, North Dakota was renamed Lawther to honor the original townsite owner. This name was often confused with Lawton, North Dakota, and the name New Leipzig was restored on August 2, 1912. (4)
In the early 1900s, the local Women’s Community Association of Red Wing, Minnesota worked to raise money for local causes. In 1923 they had accumulated $2,500 for a new Central Park band shell when they decided to change plans and donate their funds to the newly formed Goodhue County Soldiers’ Memorial Association, whose goal was to find a place to honor the area’s soldiers. The two groups eventually raised $6,000, but they still did not have a memorial location. In 1927 William Lawther, Sr., one of Red Wing’s former citizens, donated $10,000 to purchase land for the memorial shortly before he died. (5)
Lawther eventually served many years as a trustee of WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH and as an officer of the DUBUQUE LUMBER COMPANY and the KEY CITY FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. His children included Anna LAWTHER and William Lawther, Jr.]]
See: WALKER'S SHOE STORE
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Source:
1. Oldt, Franklin. History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880, p. 837
2. "A Corporation Now," The Dubuque Herald, July 11, 1899, p. 8
3. "William Lawther, Sr." Linwood Legacies, Online: http://www.linwoodlegacies.org/the-lawther-family.html
4. "Lawther (Grant County)," Online: http://www.webfamilytree.com/North_Dakota_Place_Names/L/lawther_%28grant_county%29.htm
5. "Friends of the Bluff--History of Red Wing, Minnesota." Online: http://www.redwingbluffs.org/page-1681119