Encyclopedia Dubuque
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DIAMOND JO LINE: Difference between revisions
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The company was named for [[REYNOLDS, Joseph "Diamond Jo"|Joseph "Diamond Jo" REYNOLDS]], a prosperous businessman who made fortunes in milling, tanning, [[RAILROADS]], [[MINING]], and shipping. The origin of his name, often the source of wild stories, came from his habit of surrounding his name Jo, for Joseph, with four lines suggesting a diamond. Another name remembered for his connection to the company was Captain [[KILLEEN, John F.|John F. KILLEEN]]. | The company was named for [[REYNOLDS, Joseph "Diamond Jo"|Joseph "Diamond Jo" REYNOLDS]], a prosperous businessman who made fortunes in milling, tanning, [[RAILROADS]], [[MINING]], and shipping. The origin of his name, often the source of wild stories, came from his habit of surrounding his name Jo, for Joseph, with four lines suggesting a diamond. Another name remembered for his connection to the company was Captain [[KILLEEN, John F.|John F. KILLEEN]]. | ||
Reynolds felt that he had been treated badly by other business interests along the Mississippi. In 1860 he began his business buying grain, hides, and furs. His business expanded so quickly that he thought it necessary to have his own boats. In 1862 he purchased the steamer, "Lansing." Before he had operated it for long, the Minnesota Packet Company operating between Dubuque and St. Paul convinced Reynolds to sell them the boat while promising him that his business would be treated fairly. Before the end of the season, he found these promises to be worthless. Reynolds retaliated during the winter of 1862-1863 by constructing he steamer "Diamond Jo" and the barges "Fleming" and "Conger." He had other boats constructed and purchased others like the "Pittsburg" and "Gem City" from the Davidson line when it went out of business. The "Pittsburg" was renamed the "Dubuque." | [[Image:dubuque.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The "Dubuque." Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]Reynolds felt that he had been treated badly by other business interests along the Mississippi. In 1860 he began his business buying grain, hides, and furs. His business expanded so quickly that he thought it necessary to have his own boats. In 1862 he purchased the steamer, "Lansing." Before he had operated it for long, the Minnesota Packet Company operating between Dubuque and St. Paul convinced Reynolds to sell them the boat while promising him that his business would be treated fairly. Before the end of the season, he found these promises to be worthless. Reynolds retaliated during the winter of 1862-1863 by constructing he steamer "Diamond Jo" and the barges "Fleming" and "Conger." He had other boats constructed and purchased others like the "Pittsburg" and "Gem City" from the Davidson line when it went out of business. The "Pittsburg" was renamed the "Dubuque." | ||
Nine years later the building in Dubuque was constructed as the main office of the Diamond Jo Steamers. Originally the company was primarily involved in transporting grain. As this declined, transporting passengers took on greater importance. | Nine years later the building in Dubuque was constructed as the main office of the Diamond Jo Steamers. Originally the company was primarily involved in transporting grain. As this declined, transporting passengers took on greater importance. | ||
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Revision as of 14:34, 1 February 2011
DIAMOND JO LINE. In December 1977, the former Diamond Jo Boat Store and Office, now property of Inland Molasses Company at Jones and Terminal STREETS, was added to the NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. The building, which once had an office at the end facing the river and a steamboat warehouse behind it, is the only remaining building in Dubuque traceable to one of America's great steamboat companies.
The company was named for Joseph "Diamond Jo" REYNOLDS, a prosperous businessman who made fortunes in milling, tanning, RAILROADS, MINING, and shipping. The origin of his name, often the source of wild stories, came from his habit of surrounding his name Jo, for Joseph, with four lines suggesting a diamond. Another name remembered for his connection to the company was Captain John F. KILLEEN.
Reynolds felt that he had been treated badly by other business interests along the Mississippi. In 1860 he began his business buying grain, hides, and furs. His business expanded so quickly that he thought it necessary to have his own boats. In 1862 he purchased the steamer, "Lansing." Before he had operated it for long, the Minnesota Packet Company operating between Dubuque and St. Paul convinced Reynolds to sell them the boat while promising him that his business would be treated fairly. Before the end of the season, he found these promises to be worthless. Reynolds retaliated during the winter of 1862-1863 by constructing he steamer "Diamond Jo" and the barges "Fleming" and "Conger." He had other boats constructed and purchased others like the "Pittsburg" and "Gem City" from the Davidson line when it went out of business. The "Pittsburg" was renamed the "Dubuque."
Nine years later the building in Dubuque was constructed as the main office of the Diamond Jo Steamers. Originally the company was primarily involved in transporting grain. As this declined, transporting passengers took on greater importance.
With the death of Reynolds in 1891, the company belonged to and was operated by his brother-in-law, Jay Morton of Chicago.
On February 3, 1911 the company was sold to the Streckfus Company of Rock Island. For $200,000 the Streckfus Company obtained the steamers St. Paul, Quincy, Dubuque and Sidney. In addition it received the wharves, warehouses and boatyards of the company.
The Streckfus Company announced that it intended to remodel the Sidney into a first class excursiion boat to take the place of the J. S. which was destroyed by fire near Trempealeau, Wisconsin during the summer of 1910. The Sidney was to be ready for the excursion season beginning on May 1st and would sail between Peoria and St. Paul during the summer and south at New Orleans during the winter. The other three steamers would be refitted and placed into regular packet trade between St. Louis and St. Paul during the summer and St. Louis to New Orleans during the winter. While general offices of the new company would remain in St. Louis, it was announced that Dubuque would remain important since it was a midway point between there at St. Paul.
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Source:
"Diamond Jo Line Boats are Sold," Telegraph Herald, February 3, 1911
