Encyclopedia Dubuque
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JAMES BEACH AND SONS: Difference between revisions
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In 1906 new machinery was purchased to make soap powder. This made the company the first soap powder mill in Iowa. Oils including musk, geranium, and jasmine were shipped to Dubuque by railroad in tank cars. Salesmen traveled nationwide advertising the company's products with free samples. | In 1906 new machinery was purchased to make soap powder. This made the company the first soap powder mill in Iowa. Oils including musk, geranium, and jasmine were shipped to Dubuque by railroad in tank cars. Salesmen traveled nationwide advertising the company's products with free samples. | ||
In January, 1915 James Beach and Sons converted to two smokeless furnaces to avoid the violation of the smoke abatement ordinance passed by the city council in December, 1914. (3) | |||
Upon the death of James Beach was company was renamed Beach Brothers. The company closed in 1930. ( | According to the ''History of Dubuque County, Iowa'', the company had annual revenues of nearly $50,000. The company produced over 10,000 boxes of soap; 3,500 molded candles; and between 300 and 500 barrels of lard-oil. | ||
Upon the death of James Beach was company was renamed Beach Brothers. The company closed in 1930. (4) | |||
[[Image:beachcard2.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Back of trade card]] | [[Image:beachcard2.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Back of trade card]] | ||
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2. "More Soap Room," ''Dubuque Daily Herald'', July 10, 1894, p. 5 | 2. "More Soap Room," ''Dubuque Daily Herald'', July 10, 1894, p. 5 | ||
3. "Beach Dies, Early City Businessman," ''Telegraph Herald,'' January 5, 1962, p. 9 | 3. "No More Smoke at Beach's Factory," ''The Telegraph-Herald'', January 3, 1915, p. 13 | ||
4. "Beach Dies, Early City Businessman," ''Telegraph Herald,'' January 5, 1962, p. 9 | |||
[[Category: Soap and Candle Factories]] | [[Category: Soap and Candle Factories]] | ||
[[Category: Trade Card]] | [[Category: Trade Card]] | ||
[[Category: Firsts]] | [[Category: Firsts]] | ||
Revision as of 18:32, 7 February 2018
JAMES BEACH AND SONS. The successor of the DUBUQUE LARD-OIL, SOAP, AND CANDLE FACTORY, James Beach and Son was operated by James Beach and his son, Edward James BEACH beginning in December, 1890. Edward Beach was a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and held a B. A. in chemistry. (1) This company was succeeded by James Beach and Sons operated by James BEACH, Edward J. Beach and Charles B. Beach. The company manufactured laundry and toilet soaps with such leading brands as "North West," "World," "Peosta," and "White Castile."
In 1891 the company constructed a large brick three-story building on the southwest corner of South Locust and Dodge streets.(Years later this building was used by A.Y.MCDONALD MANUFACTURING COMPANY). Three huge kettles cooked, steamed, and boiled the soap for six days. Growth of business led to a brick addition 35' by 70' being constructed in 1894. (2)
In 1906 new machinery was purchased to make soap powder. This made the company the first soap powder mill in Iowa. Oils including musk, geranium, and jasmine were shipped to Dubuque by railroad in tank cars. Salesmen traveled nationwide advertising the company's products with free samples.
In January, 1915 James Beach and Sons converted to two smokeless furnaces to avoid the violation of the smoke abatement ordinance passed by the city council in December, 1914. (3)
According to the History of Dubuque County, Iowa, the company had annual revenues of nearly $50,000. The company produced over 10,000 boxes of soap; 3,500 molded candles; and between 300 and 500 barrels of lard-oil.
Upon the death of James Beach was company was renamed Beach Brothers. The company closed in 1930. (4)
The 1886-87 Dubuque City Directory listed the corner of Locust and Dodge.
The 1915 Dubuque City Directory listed 207 S. Locust as the company address.
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Source:
1. "A Business Change," Dubuque Daily Herald, December 31, 1890, p. 4
2. "More Soap Room," Dubuque Daily Herald, July 10, 1894, p. 5
3. "No More Smoke at Beach's Factory," The Telegraph-Herald, January 3, 1915, p. 13
4. "Beach Dies, Early City Businessman," Telegraph Herald, January 5, 1962, p. 9