Encyclopedia Dubuque
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WALES, Charles E.
WALES, Charles E. (Bellows Falls, VT, July 15, 1833--Dubuque, IA, May 16, 1912). Wales gained his first experience in the hotel business being a clerk in a hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. His business success began in Monticello, Iowa where he carried on a general merchandising business along with grain and stock buying enterprises. He invested his money in real estate. He was once involved with other investors in a Texas oil company. He became a gentleman farmer through the purchase of a farm outside of North Buena Vista.
Wales came to Dubuque around 1884 and formed a partnership with his sister-in-law in the the management of the LORIMER HOUSE, then one of the leading hotels in eastern Iowa. He later became the manager of the JULIEN HOTEL. After several years, he became the owner of the Lorimer and changed the name to WALES HOTEL. He was active in the management of the hotel until two years before his death.
His daughter from his first marriage became the wife of Frank D. STOUT.
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Source:
"Charles E. Wales Closes Career," Telegraph-Herald, May 16, 1912, p. 1
