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.
MEHLHOP, John Sr.
Mehlhop, John Sr. (Kingdom of Hanover, 1817--Dubuque, IA, Nob. 1, 1901). Businessman. Mehlhop immigrated to the United States at the age of sixteen and landed in New Orleans, Louisiana. He worked for his steamboat passage to St. Louis, Missouri and then remained there until he had earned enough money for the trip to Dubuque.
Mehlhop and a partner purchased a farm near Dubuque and two years sold it at a profit. In 1853 he became a partner in a wholesale tobacco and grocery business. This later became JOHN MEHLHOP AND SON COMPANY. Mehlhop later retired from active business. His home, the "King Mansion," was originally the residence of John KING. The firm of Mehlhop and Soft Company was discontinued. Its successor, the House of Mehlhop, wholesale distributors of tobaccos and cigarettes was owned and managed by Carl Mehlhop, his grandson.
Mehlhop served on the city council.