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.
GEHRIG, Joseph
GEHRIG, Joseph. (Canton, St. Gallen, Switzerland, 1819-Dubuque, IA, Apr. 13, 1885). Owner, Jefferson House Hotel. Gehrig came to Dubuque in 1844 and worked in P. E. Lorimier's stone quarry for fifty cents a day. He earned an additional thirty cents chopping wood. Fired with the desire for GOLD, Gehrig left for California in 1849. With some success, he returned to Dubuque and bought property.
In 1852, during the excavation for his hotel, the body of Patrick O'CONNOR was discovered. The construction of the Jefferson House was completed in 1854, and the hotel was opened to the public. The successful business venture later was taken over by Henry Gehrig, one of Joseph's four sons. Gehrig served on the city council during the administrations of Turck and Graves.