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.
RIDER-WALLIS DRY GOODS COMPANY
RIDER-WALLIS DRY GOODS COMPANY. Established in 1861 and incorporated in 1910, Rider-Wallis was the only exclusive wholesale dry goods house in Dubuque and the largest of its kind in Iowa. The offices, warehouse, display rooms and factory were located at Seventh and Locust STREETS with one hundred seventy-five regularly employed.
The business included the wholesaling of a full line of dry goods and the manufacturing of men's work clothes. The White Elephant brand of overalls, shorts, jackets, lined duck and corduroy coats, cotton flannel gloves and mittens were especially popular The dry goods included underwear, notions, dress goods, silks, wash goods, piece goods, dress shirts and furnishings. The company also imported laces, damask, embroideries, hosiery, gloves and ribbons. Offices were maintained in New York, Paris, St. Gall and Chemnitz.