Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BELL BROTHERS COMPANY
BELL BROTHERS COMPANY. Located at Fourth and Locust STREETS, the company, the successor of BELL AND PROVOST, was incorporated in 1888. John BELL and brother Fred operated the company which manufactured overalls, pants, shirts, and duck coats as well as importing notions, hosiery, furnishing goods, gloves and mitts. (1)
In 1910 the company employed about one hundred fifty in addition to fifteen traveling salesmen. Several times attempts were made to establish branch factories without success. (2)
In 1914 it was announced that the RIDER-WALLIS DRY GOODS COMPANY had purchased the manufacturing and jobbing business of Bell Brothers. It was expected that after January 1, 1915, the Rider-Wallis Company would abandon the building at 7th and Locust and confine its business to the Bell Brothers building at 4th and Locust. (3)
In future years, the building was demolished and replaced by the SHOT TOWER INN (THE). (4)
See: OVERALLS
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Source:
1. "Dubuque Overall Gives Employment to 1,300 Persons," Telegraph Herald, February 16, 1910, p. 5
2. Ibid.
3. "Bell Brothers Quit Business," The Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, May 25, 1914, p. 19
4. "Yesterdays," Telegraph Herald, November 19, 2002, p. 22
