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Commercial & Industrial Buildings, Midland Laboratories, Factory & Warehouse, 210 Jones St Dubuque, Dubuque County, IA
Born in 1874 in Wayne County, Iowa, Lorenzo O. Hillyard worked his way through school as a newsboy, dishwasher and telephone operator in Omaha and later as a teamster for the Standard Oil Company in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was promoted from this latter job to the position of general tank wagon superintendent for eleven states. Hillyard parlayed his extensive knowledge of disinfectants gained from Standard into his own business when he moved to Dubuque in 1901 and began small-scale chemical manufacturing. Two years later Hillyard formed the Midland Chemical Company to produce chemical cleaners and disinfectants; he incorporated the company in 1907. A Republican, an Elk and an Episcopalian, he was active in Dubuque`s civic and financial circles. A 1911 business directory stated, "This firm is a manufacturer of disinfectants of every kind for general and particular uses, some of the special products being Anti-Germine, Dripoleum, Germolium Black Disinfectants, Sheep Dips, Cedarine Dust Layer, Sweeping and Scrubbing Compounds, Liquid and Powdered Soaps, Midland Polish and French Floor Dressing." That year the firm employed 20 salesmen to market its many products nationally. By 1930 Midland fielded 68 salesmen and produced some 71 cleaning solvents. Midland eventually burgeoned into one of the largest solvent producers in the country, and it still operates from this building. The structure is historically significant for its association with this important Dubuque industry. Its major exterior renovation has obscured its early 20th century design, however, limiting its architectural value.
Commercial & Industrial Buildings, Midland Laboratories, Factory & Warehouse, 210 Jones St Dubuque, Dubuque County, IA
Born in 1874 in Wayne County, Iowa, Lorenzo O. Hillyard worked his way through school as a newsboy, dishwasher and telephone operator in Omaha and later as a teamster for the Standard Oil Company in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was promoted from this latter job to the position of general tank wagon superintendent for eleven states. Hillyard parlayed his extensive knowledge of disinfectants gained from Standard into his own business when he moved to Dubuque in 1901 and began small-scale chemical manufacturing. Two years later Hillyard formed the Midland Chemical Company to produce chemical cleaners and disinfectants; he incorporated the company in 1907. A Republican, an Elk and an Episcopalian, he was active in Dubuque`s civic and financial circles. A 1911 business directory stated, "This firm is a manufacturer of disinfectants of every kind for general and particular uses, some of the special products being Anti-Germine, Dripoleum, Germolium Black Disinfectants, Sheep Dips, Cedarine Dust Layer, Sweeping and Scrubbing Compounds, Liquid and Powdered Soaps, Midland Polish and French Floor Dressing." That year the firm employed 20 salesmen to market its many products nationally. By 1930 Midland fielded 68 salesmen and produced some 71 cleaning solvents. Midland eventually burgeoned into one of the largest solvent producers in the country, and it still operates from this building. The structure is historically significant for its association with this important Dubuque industry. Its major exterior renovation has obscured its early 20th century design, however, limiting its architectural value.
Posted Date
Sep 27, 2021
Source Name
Library of Congress
