GEORGE DEE AND SON'S BASKET AND LYE WORKS

GEORGE DEE AND SON'S BASKET AND LYE WORKS. Located at the corner of Garfield and Kniest avenues, the company founded by George Dee waged a long battle to develop in Dubuque. In 1892 Dee successfully fought an ordinance that he and his heirs had to guarantee employment for one hundred workers for ninety-nine years. (1) The business capitalized at $70,000 was incorporated on December 23, 1893. (2)

In 1896, however, the company approached the council for a new ordinance. Due to hard financial times, the company asked for the right to use and occupy Lot 2 of Mineral Lot 106 for a term of twenty-five years at an annual rental of one dollar and an exemption from local city taxes for ten years. Lands not necessary for business would revert to the city including the part lying south of "Dee's side track." There was no requirement that the company maintain employment for one hundred workers. (3)

The company manufactured Dee's 98% Lye and a range of willow and stave baskets in addition to berry boxes and "Dee's improved stove carriers." The company advertised its capacity as 80,000 baskets, 75,000 berry boxes, and 150 cases of lye per day. In 1892 he obtained 2 million feet of elm logs for winter time production. (4) By 1895 the company could include among its products veneer, hoops, lye and stove carriers. (5)

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Source:

1. "Agrees to the Changes," Dubuque Daily Herald, April 7, 1892, p. 4

2. "Have Incorporated," Dubuque Daily Herald, December 24, 1893, p. 4

3. "The City Council," Dubuque Daily Herald," August 4, 1896, p. 5

4. "Municipal Molecules," Dubuque Daily Herald, December 2, 1892, p. 4

5. "Geo. Dee & Son's Basket and Lye Works," Dubuque Daily Herald, January 1, 1895