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.
SOUTHWELL, Samuel J.
SOUTHWELL, Samuel J. (Cleveland, OH, May 19, 1855--1916). Southwell at the age of sixteen entered the business of Giles Bros. & Co., to learn the jeweler's trade. He remained with them for eleven years. In 1882 he began the manufacture of jewelry and carried on business along that line until 1889 with good success.
Southwell abandoned that business and built the first electric street railway of Dubuque. He was instrumental in the organization of the KEY CITY ELECTRIC COMPANY which constructed the Key City Electric Street Railway. Southwell was elected superintendent and secretary. The road was completed in 1889 and ran for a year when it was sold.
Mr. Southwell's connection with MINING interests began in 1875. For several years he was associated in the business with B. M. Harger. Later he entered into partnership with Joseph Trueb, under the firm name of Trueb, Southwell & Co. The members of this firm were largely interested in mining property and owned some extensive and valuable mines, including the largest ZINC mine in this district, which yielded four hundred tons per month.
--
Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1894, p. 244