Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
HAM, Mathias: Difference between revisions
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In addition to his business ventures, Ham was a life member of the board of trustees of Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, and an alderman of the fifth ward. | In addition to his business ventures, Ham was a life member of the board of trustees of Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, and an alderman of the fifth ward. | ||
[[Category: Business Leader]] | |||
Revision as of 04:44, 9 December 2008
HAM, Mathias. (Knox Co., TN, Apr. 12, 1805--Dubuque, IA, Mar. 8, 1889). Businessman. Ham, one of Dubuque's earliest settlers, permanently settled in this area in 1833. Interested in MINING and smelting, Ham also secured permission to operate FERRYBOATS at EAGLE POINT where there was a site called Ham's Landing.
He surveyed Ham's Addition to Dubuque and owned twenty-five thousand acres of land including City Island that was originally known as Ham's Island. He managed such business ventures as mining, smelting, brick making, and lime kilns.
A widely repeated story credits Ham's nickname, "the "Sauerkraut King," to his cultivation of cabbage which was often made into sauerkraut for pioneers.
Ham's financial status rose and fell several times. Caught up in the excitement of RAILROADS, he became president of the Dubuque and Turkey River Railroad only to lose most of his wealth when the infant venture failed. Ham entered the construction business in the young and thriving Dubuque and helped build the city's first public school by donating the lumber.
In 1857 Ham had one of the city's most visited ITALIAN VILLA ARCHITECTURE homes. HAM HOUSE was completed just as he lost nearly his entire wealth in the financial crash of 1857, one year after the death of his first wife Zerelda. He worked the rest of his life to maintain his family in comfort, but he was never again to know his earlier wealth.
In addition to his business ventures, Ham was a life member of the board of trustees of Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, and an alderman of the fifth ward.