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. In August 1864, John Vincent RIDER was informed by John BELL and James Harold WALLIS that they had purchased the retail business of Wood, Luke and Company. Bell and Wallis asked Rider to become an equal partner in a business capitalized at $24,000.
The company was first known as John Bell and Company. The name was changed in 1865 to Bell, Rider and Wallis. Bell's interest was purchased in 1866, and the company was renamed Rider, Wallis and Company. In 1889 the firm was incorporated. The officers were John Vincent Rider, President; James Harold Wallis, Vice-president; and S. P. Rider, secretary and treasurer.
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.
