Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
MYERS-COX COMPANY
MYERS-COX COMPANY. The Dubuque Tobacco Works was established in 1866 by H. W. Armington, Dorrance Dixon MYERS, and J. H. Tice to produce fine cut, chewing and smoking tobacco. The sales territory was then limited to the area adjacent to Dubuque, reached by stagecoach, and following the line of the ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD.
In 1870 the company's name was changed to MYERS, TICE & CO. with offices and warehouse north of the MERCHANTS HOTEL. A three story factory was located in the rear on Iowa Street.
The company was reorganized in 1895 under the name of Myers, Cox and Company reflecting the partnership of D. D. Myers, W. G. Cox, and George W. Myers. The business was relocated to a four story building at 409-410 Iowa. In addition to that building which was used for manufacturing, the company owned two warehouses. Each held a two-year supply of raw tobacco stored in barrels. By 1911 fifty people were employed in the factory and eleven salesmen covered their sales territory in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Dakotas. Favorite brands included "Fragrant" smoking tobacco and "Home Comfort," "Sweet Puff," and "Sunset" fine cut tobacco.
Myers, Cox sold its last manufactured tobacco to the American Tobacco in the 1920s. The business then replaced manufacturing with wholesaling and distributing.
Under the leadership of Joseph A. Carew, the company became a wholesale distributor to convenience stores and small businesses within a 100-mile radius of Dubuque. Greg Carew held leadership positions in the company until he suffered a stroke. When Joseph Carew died in 2008, Rob Apel joined the company as president. In 2010 Mary Carew, Greg's wife, was the company's chief financial officer. Chris Dempsey, Greg and Mary's son-in-law joined the business in 2009.
The company is a charter member of the National Association of Wholesalers founded in 1947.
The 1911-12 through 1939 Dubuque City Directory listed 409-419 Iowa.
The 1945 and 1962 Dubuque City Directory listed Main at the northwest corner of Dodge.
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Source:
Kruse, Len. "Making Cigars-1867 to 1925," My Old Dubuque. Center for Dubuque History, Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, 2000 p. 244-246
Telegraph Herald