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.
DUBUQUE MATTRESS COMPANY
DUBUQUE MATTRESS COMPANY. Pioneer Dubuque manufacturer. Established in 1876, the Dubuque Mattress Company was incorporated in February 1884 by John Kapp and Henry Sauer. Kapp served as the company's president while Sauer held the offices of secretary and treasurer.
The company was originally a wholesaler. Edward Eisenschmidt brought the company through the Great Depression and then, about 1930, began selling directly to individual customers, institutions and retail customers. The continued prosperity of the firm has been credited to William Riedel, a graduate of the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE and former physical director of the YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (Y.M.C.A.). Riedel married Eisenschmidt's daughter and then learned the business of mattress manufacturing.