Encyclopedia Dubuque
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RIDER-WALLIS DRY GOODS COMPANY: Difference between revisions
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The company was first known as John Bell and Company. The name was changed in 1865 to Bell, Rider and Wallis. Bell's interest was purchased in 1866, and the company was renamed Rider, Wallis and Company. In 1889 the firm was incorporated. The officers were John Vincent Rider, President; James Harold Wallis, Vice-president; and S. P. Rider, secretary and treasurer. (2) | The company was first known as John Bell and Company. The name was changed in 1865 to Bell, Rider and Wallis. Bell's interest was purchased in 1866, and the company was renamed Rider, Wallis and Company. In 1889 the firm was incorporated. The officers were John Vincent Rider, President; James Harold Wallis, Vice-president; and S. P. Rider, secretary and treasurer. (2) | ||
In 1910 the Rider and Wallis families sold their interests in the business to outside interests. The families repurchased control of the company in 1928. (3) | |||
The business included the wholesaling of a full line of dry goods and the manufacturing of men's work clothes. The White Elephant brand of overalls, shorts, jackets, lined duck and corduroy coats, cotton flannel gloves and mittens were especially popular. Dry goods included underwear, notions, dress goods, silks, wash goods, piece goods, dress shirts and furnishings. The company also imported laces, damask, embroideries, hosiery, gloves and ribbons. ( | The business included the wholesaling of a full line of dry goods and the manufacturing of men's work clothes. The White Elephant brand of overalls, shorts, jackets, lined duck and corduroy coats, cotton flannel gloves and mittens were especially popular. Dry goods included underwear, notions, dress goods, silks, wash goods, piece goods, dress shirts and furnishings. The company also imported laces, damask, embroideries, hosiery, gloves and ribbons. (4) | ||
Offices were maintained in New York, Paris, St. Gall and Chemnitz. ( | Offices were maintained in New York, Paris, St. Gall and Chemnitz. (5) A branch factory was located in Princeton, Wisconsin. (6) | ||
Rider-Wallis had a trade area covering Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, the Dakotas and Nebraska. The only exclusive wholesale dry goods house in Dubuque and the largest of its kind in Iowa, the company in 1910 employed three hundred with sixteen traveling salesmen on the road. ( | Rider-Wallis had a trade area covering Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, the Dakotas and Nebraska. The only exclusive wholesale dry goods house in Dubuque and the largest of its kind in Iowa, the company in 1910 employed three hundred with sixteen traveling salesmen on the road. (7) | ||
See: [[OVERALLS]] | See: [[OVERALLS]] | ||
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2. Ibid. | 2. Ibid. | ||
3. | 3. "Working Clothes Made in Dubuque," ''Telegraph-Herald and Times Journal'', March 31, 1929, p. 63 | ||
4. '''The Industries of Dubuque...''' | |||
5. Ibid. | |||
6. "The Dubuque Overall Industry Gives Employment to 1,300 Persons," ''Telegraph Herald'', February 16, 1910, p. 1 | |||
7. Ibid. | |||
Revision as of 02:46, 8 October 2018
RIDER-WALLIS DRY GOODS COMPANY. In August 1864, John Vincent RIDER was informed by John BELL and James WALLIS that they had purchased the retail business of Wood, Luke and Company. Bell and Wallis asked Rider to become an equal partner in a business capitalized at $24,000. (1)
The company was first known as John Bell and Company. The name was changed in 1865 to Bell, Rider and Wallis. Bell's interest was purchased in 1866, and the company was renamed Rider, Wallis and Company. In 1889 the firm was incorporated. The officers were John Vincent Rider, President; James Harold Wallis, Vice-president; and S. P. Rider, secretary and treasurer. (2)
In 1910 the Rider and Wallis families sold their interests in the business to outside interests. The families repurchased control of the company in 1928. (3)
The business included the wholesaling of a full line of dry goods and the manufacturing of men's work clothes. The White Elephant brand of overalls, shorts, jackets, lined duck and corduroy coats, cotton flannel gloves and mittens were especially popular. Dry goods included underwear, notions, dress goods, silks, wash goods, piece goods, dress shirts and furnishings. The company also imported laces, damask, embroideries, hosiery, gloves and ribbons. (4)
Offices were maintained in New York, Paris, St. Gall and Chemnitz. (5) A branch factory was located in Princeton, Wisconsin. (6)
Rider-Wallis had a trade area covering Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, the Dakotas and Nebraska. The only exclusive wholesale dry goods house in Dubuque and the largest of its kind in Iowa, the company in 1910 employed three hundred with sixteen traveling salesmen on the road. (7)
See: OVERALLS
The 1886-87 Dubuque City Directory listed 356 to 364 Main.
The 1890-91 and 1899-1900 Dubuque City Directory listed the corner of 7th and Locust.
The 1911-12 Dubuque City Directory listed 101-149 7th.
The 1929 Dubuque City Directory listed the corner of W. 4th and Locust.
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Source:
1. The Industries of Dubuque: Her Relations as a Trade Center, Dubuque: J. M. Elster and Company, Publishers, 1887, p. 56
2. Ibid.
3. "Working Clothes Made in Dubuque," Telegraph-Herald and Times Journal, March 31, 1929, p. 63
4. The Industries of Dubuque...
5. Ibid.
6. "The Dubuque Overall Industry Gives Employment to 1,300 Persons," Telegraph Herald, February 16, 1910, p. 1
7. Ibid.
