Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
TSCHIRGI, Matthew Jr.
TSCHIRGI, Matthew Jr. (Dubuque, IA, Nov. 28, 1850--Cedar Rapids, IA, Dec. 24, 1932). The son of Mathias TSCHIRGI and Catherine Zollicoffer, Matthew graduated from Michigan University at Ann Arbor in 1872 as a civil engineer. He returned to Dubuque the same year.
In 1873 Tschirgi established a permanent office in Dubuque at Fifth and Main. He was instrumental in surveying the railroad between Dubuque and Burlington and published a map of the Dubuque. In 1875 he was elected city engineer and held the position until 1891 with the exception of 1888-1889. He was elected the County Surveyor in 1876.
Tschirgi's practice included civil and sanitary engineering, plans for waterworks and sewer systems and bridge construction. He designed the stone arch bridge at Elkader, Iowa and was the engineer of the DUBUQUE WAGON BRIDGE. Beginning in 1893, Tschirgi served as president and manager of the DUBUQUE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. (1)
In 1920 census records found him living with his family in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was one of the founders and first president of the Iowa Engineering Society and was a member of the Cedar Rapids Planning Commission.
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Source:
1. Gue, Benjamin F. Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa, p. 544
2. Obituary, Des Moines Register, December 25, 1932, p. 15
Hans Müller-Lemans (e-mail)
