Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
WILLIAM LAWTHER COMPANY
WILLIAM LAWTHER COMPANY. In 1887 the candy business of William Lawther was the largest one of its kind west of Chicago. The goods grossed for the company $100,000 annually and reached throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Dakota and Minnesota. From thirty-five to fifty employees were on staff locally with the weekly payroll averaging $400. Five traveling salesmen represented the house throughout the territory of trade.(1)
The business was originally the KEY CITY STEAM CANDY COMPANY owned J. H. ROACH. Lawther entered the firm in 1882 and assumed entire control three years later. The candy factory occupied the entire four floors and basement of a 44X114 foot building. (2)
Articles of incorporation for the William Lawther Company were filed at the DUBUQUE COUNTY COURTHOUSE on July 10, 1899. Those incorporating the company were William LAWTHER, Sr., Clem Sheridan, and William LAWTHER, JR.. The company was capitalized at $150,000 and was to begin business on July 14, 1899. (3)
In January, 1917 the announcement was made that the company had been sold to Clem Sheridan, an employee and officer of the company since 1885. (4) Sheridan established his own candy company, SHERIDAN CANDY COMPANY.
The 1886-87 Dubuque City Directory listed the address as 137 to 145 Main.
The 1899-1900 Dubuque City Directory listed 145 Main.
The 1904-1905 Dubuque City Directory and the 1916-1917 White's Dubuque County Directory located this business at 137-153 Main.
---
Source:
The Industries of Dubuque: Her Relations as a Trade Center, Dubuque: J. M. Elster and Company, Publishers, 1887, p. 78-79
2. Ibid.
3. "A Corporation Now," The Dubuque Herald, July 11, 1899, p. 8
4. Advertisement. Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, January 11, 1917, p. 5
