BOOTH, Caleb H.

Caleb H. Booth. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

BOOTH, Caleb H. (Chester, PA, Dec. 26, 1814--Dubuque, IA, June 19, 1898). Dubuque's first MAYOR. Soon after becoming an attorney, Booth traveled to Dubuque while it was still a part of Michigan Territory. He arrived on July 3, 1836, one day before the act establishing the new Territory of Wisconsin. (1) Years later, Booth brought the first steam engine to the community and built the first steam-powered sawmill on the upper MISSISSIPPI RIVER on a site later used as a yard by the STANDARD LUMBER COMPANY. (2) Booth was also a participant in MINING, finding one of the largest LEAD veins in the area and recovering seven million pounds of ore. (3) In 1838 the firm of Booth & Carter reflected his partnership with William CARTER. Later R. O. Chaney joined the business which was renamed Booth, Carter & Company. (4)

Booth held a wide variety of business interests including RAILROADS. He was a partner in the mercantile business of Booth, Townsend and Company; assistant secretary and treasurer of the DUBUQUE AND SIOUX CITY RAILROAD; secretary and treasurer of the Cedar Falls and Minnesota Railway Company; and general manager of the Dubuque and Dakota Railroad until it was sold. (5) With other partners, Booth invested in the DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD and was elected treasurer and one of the directors of the company in 1857. In 1856 he was one of the commissioners who established the State Bank of Iowa. (6) In 1868 Booth helped organize the DUNLEITH AND DUBUQUE BRIDGE Company. He was also secretary and treasurer of the Iowa Land and Loan Company.

Booth, an inventor, designed Booth's Improved Dredge Pump. This invention was used to fill in low lands and swamps and allowed once useless land to be made productive. Responsible for the filling of sloughs on Dubuque's southeast riverfront, Booth can be credited with lessening the rate of illness in the city and providing improved docking for STEAMBOATS. He also developed a rapid process of manufacturing SHOT that contributed to the success of the firm of Booth, Carter and Company.

Beginning a long political life, in 1839 Booth was elected a member of Iowa's first territorial legislature when it convened in Burlington. (7) Later he was elected to the first legislature that convened at the territorial capital in Iowa City. In 1841 Booth was chosen Dubuque's first mayor.

Among the actions of city government during his term of office: (8)

         a) On May 26, 1841, it was determined by the board to begin at once the 
         improvement of the harbor under the supervision of the street commissioner, 
         who was directed to open a canal to connect the outer and inner sloughs at 
         the best practical points. He was directed "to deepen the channel which now 
         connects the slough at the lower landing with the inner slough and levee the 
         same on the side next the town so as to make as good a steamboat landing as 
         may be practicable." 

         b) The board opened Eighth street.

         c) Proposals for work on the canal were called for in June, 1841 ; this work 
         was paid for in city scrip. Another $1,000 was appropriated for canal work on 
         June 21, 1841. Steps to deepen the mouth of the inner slough at the lower 
         landing were taken in August, 1841. Another $1,000 for canal work was 
         appropriated late in August, 1841. Previous to September 6, 1841, there had 
         been appropriated for the opening of this canal a total of $3,500; the canal 
         to connect the outer and inner sloughs. The board on September 6, 1841 pledged 
         the fund due the city from the land office from the sale of public lots for 
         the payment of the above appropriation. 

During the administrations of Presidents Polk and Taylor, Booth served as the Surveyor General of the district including Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. (9) With William J. BARNEY, several subdivisions and the town of Farley, named for Jesse P. FARLEY were platted.

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Source:

1. A. T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875 Biographies, http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iadubuqu/andreas/1875bios.html

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. The Iowa Legislature, Representative Caleb Booth, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/Legislators/legislator.aspx?GA=14&PID=4983

6. 1875 Biographies, http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iadubuqu/andreas/1875bios.html

7. Ibid.

8. Oldt, Franklin T. History of Dubuque County. http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/franklin-t-oldt/history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl/page-8-history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl.shtml

9. 1875 Biographies http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iadubuqu/andreas/1875bios.html