VOELKER, Christian Anton

VOELKER, Christian Anton. (Baden, Germany, Aug. 16, 1850--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 12,1925). When an infant, Voelker was brought by his parents to Dubuque. He attended the Trinity parochial school until a little over eleven years of age, when he was forced to leave school to work.

He was first employed in a chair factory, where he learned the trade and made himself very useful to the proprietors. At the age of eighteen he became foreman in the chair department, in which position he continued for the five succeeding years. In 1864 he attempted to join the army, but the quota at the time being full he was not accepted. He continued in his position as foreman until August 1, 1873, when he began general merchandising in a rented store at No. 1330 Clay Street which he operated for seven years. In 1884 he served as alternate-at-large to the Democratic National Convention that nominated Grover Cleveland for president of the United States. Voelker served as MAYOR of Dubuque in 1886 and 1887. In 1896 Voelker was himself elected to the Iowa House of Representatives.

Advertisement. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

Voelker prospered in the field of real estate with his firm VOELKER REALTY COMPANY. Beginning in 1890, he began erecting buildings throughout the city. "Voelker stone," a form of concrete, was one of his chosen building materials. In 1879 Voelker built a brick block at the corner of Thirteenth and Clay Streets and operated his business from that site for two years. He later built an adjoining store as he needed additional room. Voelker owned Woodlawn Park, an addition to Dubuque, which he laid out with two partners and later bought their interest. He was also involved with the development of Melrose Terrace, south Alta Vista, and Voelker Highlands.

Seen in many parts of Dubuque, "VOELKER STONE" was a new building material in Dubuque.

Voelker was given credit for establishing the 'monthly payment plan' for purchasers of his homes. At the time of his death, he was thought to have built between 760 and 800 residences.

Advertising calendar (1901). Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

Voelker was vice-president and director in the DUBUQUE FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY, which he helped to organize. He was one of the original members of the board of the Julien Dubuque Hotel company and a member of the board of directors of the Dubuque Industrial Corporation. In 1890 he founded the Iowa Mutual Building & Loan Association and served as the company president. Voelker organized the Key City Fire Insurance Company with a capital stock of $200,000. He also had interests in the Citizens' State Bank, the GERMAN TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, and the DUBUQUE STREET RAILWAY COMPANY. In the field of real estate, Voelker was one of the organizers of the National Association of Real Estate Boards and of the Iowa Association of Realtors.

Voelker was also a leader in fraternal circles. He was the state chief ranger of the Independent Order of Foresters and a past grand knight of the Dubuque Council of Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Elks, the St. Vincent de Paul society and an organizer of the ROMAN CATHOLIC MUTUAL PROTECTIVE SOCIETY OF IOWA.

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Source:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1894, p. 134

The Iowa Legislature, "Christian A. Voelker," Online: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator/legislatorAllYears?personID=3830

"Dubuque Board of Realtors Turns 100," Telegraph Herald, June 2, 2013,