Encyclopedia Dubuque
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L. D. RANDALL AND COMPANY
L. D. RANDALL AND COMPANY. This important industry was founded in 1840 by Leroy D. RANDALL and E. A. Collins, under the firm name of L. D. Randall &. Co. The original frame building was destroyed by fire in 1855 or 1856 and then rebuilt of brick. (1)
In 1864 a factory site was purchased in Kentucky and representatives of the company were traveling as far as New York City for materials. (2) In 1867 the factory located in Marine, Kentucky sent goods to Dubuque for finishing. (3) In 1875 the company which was involved in hides, pelts, tallow, wool and furs was purchased by J. MacDonald for the H. C. Tillinghest Company of Chicago. (4) Newspaper accounts in 1876 stated that the company was manufacturing 400 horse collars per week. (5)
By 1887 the business which was then entirely located Dubuque was capitalized at $100,000. There were two departments: a 45X114 foot five-story factory and a five-story 22x114 foot store and warehouse. A force of fifty workers were employed in the factory with nine clerks and assistants in the store and warehouse. (6) The trade extended throughout Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. Three traveling men represented the company. (7)
In 1890 a stock company of two dozen local businessmen was organized to purchase the company. (8)
The 1858-1859 Dubuque City Directory listed 105 1/2 Main.
The 1859-1860 through 1873-74 Dubuque City Directory stated that this business was located at 44 Main which extended from Main, below Third, to Iowa Street.
The 1880 Dubuque City Directory stated that this business was to be found at 289 Main.
The 1886-87 Dubuque City Directory listed 280 Main.
See: DUBUQUE HARNESS AND SADDLERY COMPANY
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Source:
1. Conzett, Josiah. RECOLLECTIONS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS OF DUBUQUE, IOWA 1846-1890, p. 50 Online: http://conzett.org/recollecokb.htm
2. "Left for New York," Dubuque Democratic Herald, March 1, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640301&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
3. "The Manufacturing Interest," Dubuque Daily Herald, December 15, 1867, p. 4. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jMZCAAAAIBAJ&sjid=casMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3423,6144162&dq=shot+manufacturing+dubuque&hl=en
4. "A New Enterprise," Dubuque Herald, August 29, 1875, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18750825&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
5. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, February 1, 1876, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18760201&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
6. The Industries of Dubuque: Her Relations as a Trade Center, Dubuque: J. M. Elster and Company, Publishers, 1887, p. 60
7. Ibid.
8. "Another Stock Company," Dubuque Daily Herald, April 10, 1890, p. 4
