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ELLWANGER, John Peter: Difference between revisions
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John Peter graduated from the [[BAYLESS BUSINESS COLLEGE]] at the age of thirteen and immediately went to work. Ellwanger began his business career as a bundle boy in the dry goods company of [[WOOD, LUKE AND COMPANY]] until they sold out to Sheffield, Wood, & Company, who changed the business to a strictly wholesale establishment. Ellwanger then entered the employ of merchant [[LEVI, James|James LEVI]] and remained with him about a year, leaving to become a clerk in a clothing business. | John Peter graduated from the [[BAYLESS BUSINESS COLLEGE]] at the age of thirteen and immediately went to work. Ellwanger began his business career as a bundle boy in the dry goods company of [[WOOD, LUKE AND COMPANY]] until they sold out to Sheffield, Wood, & Company, who changed the business to a strictly wholesale establishment. Ellwanger then entered the employ of merchant [[LEVI, James|James LEVI]] and remained with him about a year, leaving to become a clerk in a clothing business. | ||
In 1871 at the age of 22, having served a nine year apprenticeship in several mercantile establishments, Ellwanger went to work for his older cousin, Francis | In 1871 at the age of 22, having served a nine year apprenticeship in several mercantile establishments, Ellwanger went to work for his older cousin, [[JAEGER, Francis|Francis JAEGER]], already a successful Dubuque businessman. Jaeger had begun as a co-partner in a wholesale grocery business, eventually bought out his partner, and shifted the company focus to a wholesale liquor dealership. Joining Jaeger as a bookkeeper, Ellwanger proved to be a “quick learner” of the whiskey trade. | ||
In June 1875, Ellwanger, in partnership with Michael Brady, purchased two-thirds interest in the wholesale liquor firm founded by | In June 1875, Ellwanger, in partnership with Michael Brady, purchased two-thirds interest in the wholesale liquor firm founded by Jaeger. The company was renamed Brady, Ellwanger and Company until the death of Brady in 1899. The firm was then incorporated on May 8, 1899 as the [[JOHN ELLWANGER COMPANY]]. | ||
In 1887 the first bridge was built across the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]] linking the Iowa town with East Dubuque, Illinois. Replacing the need for ferries, it was popularly called the “High Bridge” because it was constructed high enough to allow steamboats with tall smoke stacks to pass underneath. The bridge opened up new commerce for Dubuque and Brady, Ellwanger, attracting customers from Illinois and close-by Wisconsin -- an area sometimes called the “Tri-States.” | |||
Ellwanger incorporated the business as the John Ellwanger | Ellwanger incorporated the business as the John Ellwanger Company then began on a campaign to become Dubuque’s largest and finest liquor dealer. He featured a series of brands, including "Old Knapsack Rye", "Pap Poose","Saddle Bags," "Real Merit", and "J.E.T." These were advertised these through expensive lithographed signs for saloons. He also ordered expensive containers for his whiskey, like the Thuemler Pottery-made canteen for Old Knapsack Rye shown here and an unusual glass bottle for Saddle Bags Rye. Among his giveaways to saloons and other special customers also were shot glasses, including a twelve-fluted glass with an etched “Pap Poose.” | ||
Ellwanger was also involved in multiple political and business activities. He served as Chairman of the County Democratic Central Committee and was an elector for the Democrats in the 1900 Presidential election where he voted for William Jennings Bryant. Ellwanger served as president of the [[DUBUQUE FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY]], secretary of the Dubuque Bridge Company and a director of the [[DUBUQUE ALTAR MANUFACTURING COMPANY]]. He was a director and major stockholder of the [[UNION ELECTRIC COMPANY]] prior to its purchase by the Dubuque Electric Company. | |||
Soon enough the bridge would play an even more important role in Ellwanger’s life. After years of trying, the forces of Prohibition in Iowa prevailed and in 1916 the state completely banned alcohol. Just across the river, however, Illinois was still wet. Ellwanger wasted no time in moving his operation over the bridge to East Dubuque. A shot glass memorialized that move across the Mississippi. | Soon enough the bridge would play an even more important role in Ellwanger’s life. After years of trying, the forces of Prohibition in Iowa prevailed and in 1916 the state completely banned alcohol. Just across the river, however, Illinois was still wet. Ellwanger wasted no time in moving his operation over the bridge to East Dubuque. A shot glass memorialized that move across the Mississippi. | ||
On the first “Dry” Saturday in 1916, the movement on the High Bridge from Dubuque going east was so intense that vehicles had to be stopped until traffic snarls leading to Illinois could be cleared. The number of East Dubuque liquor licenses soared despite the town government doubling the fee. Little effort apparently was made to apprehend those bringing liquor back into Iowa | On the first “Dry” Saturday in 1916, the movement on the High Bridge from Dubuque going east was so intense that vehicles had to be stopped until traffic snarls leading to Illinois could be cleared. The number of East Dubuque liquor licenses soared despite the town government doubling the fee. Little effort apparently was made to apprehend those bringing liquor back into Iowa. | ||
Following the death of his wife, Sophia, in 1904, Ellwanger married | Following the death of his wife, Sophia, in 1904, Ellwanger married in 1906. This time it was to Mrs. S. Fannie Lewis Buckman, possibly his widowed sister-in-law. In 1915, they moved into a large home at 1329 Main Street. | ||
Son William took over running the John Ellwanger Co. His business activities, however, were shortly overtaken by | Son William took over running the John Ellwanger Co. His business activities, however, were shortly overtaken by national [[PROHIBITION]]. At the end of 1919, William was forced to shut down the business his father had built. | ||
William Ellwanger, who died in 1944, himself became a prominent Dubuque businessman, serving as both president of the Fitzgerald Cigar Co. and president of the Dubuque Bridge Co. | William Ellwanger, who died in 1944, himself became a prominent Dubuque businessman, serving as both president of the Fitzgerald Cigar Co. and president of the Dubuque Bridge Co. | ||
Revision as of 20:30, 29 January 2016
Family History: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=barbgeni&id=I24139
ELLWANGER, John Peter. (Hese-Darmstadt,Germany, May 24, 1849--Dubuque, IA, Apr. 22, 1917). John Peter Ellwanger was the fourth of eight children of Agatha Jaeger Peter Edward Ellwanger. Despite Peter was a well recognized pianist and music teacher, the Ellwangers boarded the ship, Venice, in Le Havre, France, in 1852 and sailed to New Orleans. John Ellwanger was only three years old.
Upon arrival on American soil, the family quickly traveled to, and settled in, Dubuque. Members of Agatha’s family, the Jaegers, had preceded them to the city. Peter found work as piano teacher and piano tuner to support his growing family.
John Peter graduated from the BAYLESS BUSINESS COLLEGE at the age of thirteen and immediately went to work. Ellwanger began his business career as a bundle boy in the dry goods company of WOOD, LUKE AND COMPANY until they sold out to Sheffield, Wood, & Company, who changed the business to a strictly wholesale establishment. Ellwanger then entered the employ of merchant James LEVI and remained with him about a year, leaving to become a clerk in a clothing business.
In 1871 at the age of 22, having served a nine year apprenticeship in several mercantile establishments, Ellwanger went to work for his older cousin, Francis JAEGER, already a successful Dubuque businessman. Jaeger had begun as a co-partner in a wholesale grocery business, eventually bought out his partner, and shifted the company focus to a wholesale liquor dealership. Joining Jaeger as a bookkeeper, Ellwanger proved to be a “quick learner” of the whiskey trade.
In June 1875, Ellwanger, in partnership with Michael Brady, purchased two-thirds interest in the wholesale liquor firm founded by Jaeger. The company was renamed Brady, Ellwanger and Company until the death of Brady in 1899. The firm was then incorporated on May 8, 1899 as the JOHN ELLWANGER COMPANY.
In 1887 the first bridge was built across the MISSISSIPPI RIVER linking the Iowa town with East Dubuque, Illinois. Replacing the need for ferries, it was popularly called the “High Bridge” because it was constructed high enough to allow steamboats with tall smoke stacks to pass underneath. The bridge opened up new commerce for Dubuque and Brady, Ellwanger, attracting customers from Illinois and close-by Wisconsin -- an area sometimes called the “Tri-States.”
Ellwanger incorporated the business as the John Ellwanger Company then began on a campaign to become Dubuque’s largest and finest liquor dealer. He featured a series of brands, including "Old Knapsack Rye", "Pap Poose","Saddle Bags," "Real Merit", and "J.E.T." These were advertised these through expensive lithographed signs for saloons. He also ordered expensive containers for his whiskey, like the Thuemler Pottery-made canteen for Old Knapsack Rye shown here and an unusual glass bottle for Saddle Bags Rye. Among his giveaways to saloons and other special customers also were shot glasses, including a twelve-fluted glass with an etched “Pap Poose.”
Ellwanger was also involved in multiple political and business activities. He served as Chairman of the County Democratic Central Committee and was an elector for the Democrats in the 1900 Presidential election where he voted for William Jennings Bryant. Ellwanger served as president of the DUBUQUE FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY, secretary of the Dubuque Bridge Company and a director of the DUBUQUE ALTAR MANUFACTURING COMPANY. He was a director and major stockholder of the UNION ELECTRIC COMPANY prior to its purchase by the Dubuque Electric Company.
Soon enough the bridge would play an even more important role in Ellwanger’s life. After years of trying, the forces of Prohibition in Iowa prevailed and in 1916 the state completely banned alcohol. Just across the river, however, Illinois was still wet. Ellwanger wasted no time in moving his operation over the bridge to East Dubuque. A shot glass memorialized that move across the Mississippi.
On the first “Dry” Saturday in 1916, the movement on the High Bridge from Dubuque going east was so intense that vehicles had to be stopped until traffic snarls leading to Illinois could be cleared. The number of East Dubuque liquor licenses soared despite the town government doubling the fee. Little effort apparently was made to apprehend those bringing liquor back into Iowa.
Following the death of his wife, Sophia, in 1904, Ellwanger married in 1906. This time it was to Mrs. S. Fannie Lewis Buckman, possibly his widowed sister-in-law. In 1915, they moved into a large home at 1329 Main Street.
Son William took over running the John Ellwanger Co. His business activities, however, were shortly overtaken by national PROHIBITION. At the end of 1919, William was forced to shut down the business his father had built.
William Ellwanger, who died in 1944, himself became a prominent Dubuque businessman, serving as both president of the Fitzgerald Cigar Co. and president of the Dubuque Bridge Co.
---
Source:
Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, 1911, p. 631
John Ellwanger. Online: http://iagenweb.org/boards/dubuque/obituaries/index.cgi?read=46187