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.
PEASLEE, Amos H.
Family History: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=harlancgriffin&id=I072332
PEASLEE, Amos H. (Burlington, VT, Oct. 16, 1826--Dubuque, Mar. 28, 1878). MAYOR. Peaslee came to Iowa in 1852 and became the manager of a hotel in Sabula. He and his wife moved to Dubuque in 1855 and opened the PEASLEE HOUSE. They moved to Anamosa in 1858, where he was landlord of the Fisher House. He also served as postmaster and first mayor of the town. (1) He returned to Dubuque in 1861 and kept the Julien House until 1864. He moved to a farm near Anamosa until 1866 when he returned to Dubuque. (2)
In 1866 he began PEASLEE & COMPANY with a Mr. Downer for the manufacture of quality ales. (3) Peaslee soon bought out Downer's interest and the business thrived. (3) By 1870 the Iowa Industry Census showed that the company was producing products with a market value of $20,500. His trade reached the Dakotas, Colorado, Nebraska, and New Mexico to the west and Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. (4)
Peaslee served as alderman and twice as the mayor of Dubuque. In 1871 he petitioned the Iowa Legislature for funds to construct a wagon bridge over the MISSISSIPPI RIVER and was told the idea was impractical. (5) His years as mayor also saw the administration of new police regulations including the issuance of a new uniform. He was the first mayor to propose and carry out provisions for a SEWAGE system and saw the First Street sewer completed before he left office. He was also actively involved in the laying of the foundation of the Episcopal church. (6)
The city council and board of directors of the Northwestern Agricultural and Mechanical Society, of which he was a member, adopted resolutions of respect to his memory and attended his funeral.
---
Source:
1. "Death of A. H. Peaslee," The Daily Herald, March 30, 1878, p. 4
2. "Dubuque Sought Business Methods From Beginning," Telegraph Herald, March 27, 1921, p. 14. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bi5eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SmANAAAAIBAJ&pg=6644,4092622&dq=james+fanning+dubuque&hl=en
3. "Death of A. H. Peaslee..."
3. "Dubuque Sought Business..."
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. "Death of A. H. Peaslee..."
http://iagenweb.org/boards/dubuque/obituaries/index.cgi?read=252294
Carlson, Randy. The Breweries of Iowa. Arrow Printing: Bemidji, Minnesota, p. 33
