VOELKER, Christian Anton

VOELKER, Christian Anton. (Baden, Germany, Aug. 16, 1850--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 12,1925). Insurance and real estate businessman. Voelker served as MAYOR of Dubuque in 1886 and 1887. In 1884 he served as alternate-at-large to the Democratic National Convention that nominated Grover Cleveland for president of the United States. In 1896 Voelker was himself elected to the Iowa House of Representatives.

Voelker spent ten years in the chair makers' trade and, in 1873, began twenty years operating a dry goods business at 1330 Clay Street. He prospered in the field of real estate. Beginning in 1890, he began erecting buildings throughout the city. 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. He owned Woodlawn Park, an addition to Dubuque, which he laid out with two partners and later bought their interest.

Voelker was vice-president and director in the DUBUQUE FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION, which he helped to organize. 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 ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY.