Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
NAIRN, Thomas S.
NAIRN, Thomas S. (Washington Co., MD, Feb. 16, 1822-- ). Dealer in leather, imported and domestic calfskins, saddlery hardware, etc. 372 Main Street. Nairn grew up in Maryland and after reaching adulthood went south to Mobile, Alabama for three years. He moved to Iowa in 1845 and settled in Dubuque.
Soon after arriving in Dubuque, he entered the office of the Surveyor General. A great deal of the land in Iowa, Wisconsin and southern Minnesota was surveyed under his supervision. He remained in the office of the Surveyor General for seventeen years. In 1861, he entered the drug business in Washington, D.C. and continued there until 1866. In 1867, he entered the leather trade back in Dubuque. He served as secretary of the Linwood Cemetery Association.