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Commercial & Industrial Buildings, Dubuque Seed Company Warehouse, 169-171 Iowa St Dubuque, Dubuque County, IA
Born June 1832 in Meigs County, Ohio, V.J. Williams moved to Dubuque twenty years later. Here he worked as a pattern maker for the Rouse and Treadway foundry. In 1858 Williams became a partner in the foundry; two years later, he founded the V.J. Williams Implement Company. After serving in the Civil War, Williams returned to Dubuque and resumed business in partnership with H.B. Gillford. Williams reacquired sole interest in 1868 and incorporated the company in February 1884 with a capitalization of $50,000, building this four-story building the next year. Prominent Dubuque businessmen A.A. Cooper and James Beach, who maintained other primary businesses, served as president and vice president respectively; Williams functioned as general manager. In addition, he served as the city`s postmaster, county treasurer, director of the Dubuque County Bank, director of the Fire Association and director of the Building and Loan Association. By 1887 Williams`s company grossed $250,000 annually with an eleven-man staff operating in this warehouse. "The company do [sic] a jobbing business in Agricultural Implements and are Western Agents for the sale of superior plows, dump rakes, mowers, feed mills, threshers, reapers, thresher engines, hay carriers, etc." a gazetteer stated that year. "This house possesses every facility for the expeditious receipt and shipment of goods, and in the management and general conduct of its affairs the officers give their personal attention to every detail." Neither Williams` company nor any of the subsequent tenants produced a major impact on Dubuque commerce. The building derives its significance largely from its degree of architecturally integrity. Although more than half of it has been demolished, the remaining section displays a high degree of integrity, and its cast iron first floor storefront remains in place, unaltered. The Dubuque Seed Company Warehouse thus serves as a relatively well preserved example of 19th century industrial architecture.
Commercial & Industrial Buildings, Dubuque Seed Company Warehouse, 169-171 Iowa St Dubuque, Dubuque County, IA
Born June 1832 in Meigs County, Ohio, V.J. Williams moved to Dubuque twenty years later. Here he worked as a pattern maker for the Rouse and Treadway foundry. In 1858 Williams became a partner in the foundry; two years later, he founded the V.J. Williams Implement Company. After serving in the Civil War, Williams returned to Dubuque and resumed business in partnership with H.B. Gillford. Williams reacquired sole interest in 1868 and incorporated the company in February 1884 with a capitalization of $50,000, building this four-story building the next year. Prominent Dubuque businessmen A.A. Cooper and James Beach, who maintained other primary businesses, served as president and vice president respectively; Williams functioned as general manager. In addition, he served as the city`s postmaster, county treasurer, director of the Dubuque County Bank, director of the Fire Association and director of the Building and Loan Association. By 1887 Williams`s company grossed $250,000 annually with an eleven-man staff operating in this warehouse. "The company do [sic] a jobbing business in Agricultural Implements and are Western Agents for the sale of superior plows, dump rakes, mowers, feed mills, threshers, reapers, thresher engines, hay carriers, etc." a gazetteer stated that year. "This house possesses every facility for the expeditious receipt and shipment of goods, and in the management and general conduct of its affairs the officers give their personal attention to every detail." Neither Williams` company nor any of the subsequent tenants produced a major impact on Dubuque commerce. The building derives its significance largely from its degree of architecturally integrity. Although more than half of it has been demolished, the remaining section displays a high degree of integrity, and its cast iron first floor storefront remains in place, unaltered. The Dubuque Seed Company Warehouse thus serves as a relatively well preserved example of 19th century industrial architecture.
Posted Date
Sep 27, 2021
Source Name
Library of Congress
