Encyclopedia Dubuque
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ROSHEK, John J.
ROSHEK, John J. (Linn County, IA, Jan. 22, 1873--Dubuque, IA, Mar. 14, 1945). At the age of fourteen, John J. Roshek moved to Chicago and began work with a shirt manufacturer. He then was a traveling representative for an eastern dry goods concern until the age of twenty-one. (1)
In 1893 John J. Rosek, a buyer for Siegel and Cooper of Chicago; his brother Frank H. ROSHEK, a traveling salesman for Hood-Fulcrod, a Philadelphia wholesale house; and A.E. Rubash, a dress good buyer for Denneck Yetter of Cedar Rapids, established a dry goods business in Dubuque. The Roshek, Rubash & Company was located in the Horr Building at 556 Main. Rubash sold out and a Mr. Aimann joined the business. On April 6, 1896 the firm's name became Roshek, Aimann & Company.
Mr. Aimann sold his interest around 1900 and the Roshek Brothers Dry Goods firm was established. A store was constructed at the corner of 8th and Main. In 1907 the company moved into their own building across the street. The third move was to purchase the Rider-Wallis building on the corner of 4th and Locust where for ten years Roshek's used all four floors. In July, 1931 Rosheks moved to its final location on Locust between 7th and 8th. (2)
Roshek's inaugurated the "bargain basement" in Dubuque, a concept then sweeping the large cities of the United States.
John J. Roshek served as president of the department store that carried his name and as an influential member of the community helped organize political forces to obtain a hard surface road system in northeastern Iowa. He served as president of the DUBUQUE CLUB in 1912 and after the Chamber of Commerce was organized was a director from 1918 to 1938. He was a charter member of the ELKS CLUB. (3)
See: ROSHEK'S DEPARTMENT STORE
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Source:
1. "J. J. Roshek, 72 Widely Known Merchant, Dies After Few Days Illness," Telegraph-Herald, March 15 1945, p. 1
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
"John Jerome Roshek," Linwood Legacies. Online: http://www.linwoodlegacies.org/the-roshek-brothers.html