Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BUSH, John D.
BUSH, John D. (Baltimore, MD, Feb. 14, 1802--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 3, 1886). MAYOR. One of the earliest pioneers, Bush came to Dubuque in 1835 and established a tannery. Not satisfied with the profits he obtained, Bush then founded the Bell Hotel and later with Frederick WEIGEL began the Key City Flour Mills. Bush then operated a sawmill, butcher shop, and packinghouse before entering into real estate speculation by which he established a fortune.
Prior to 1850, Bush served as an alderman from the First, Second and Fourth Wards. His campaigns were marked by the absence of any political machine with the candidate personally visiting the voters of the city. During the financial crisis of 1857-1858, Bush drove about the city distributing meat and bread to the needy.
In 1879 Bush purchased an interest in the HILL STREET AND WEST DUBUQUE STEAM RAILWAY COMPANY. (1)
Bush served as mayor from 1879 to 1880. In his second term of office, he actively supported efforts to attract new business to Dubuque. A special committee of the city council was appointed for that effort and quickly secured "Burt's machine shops" which added about sixty workmen to the community. (2) In 1880 there was also considerable interest in promoting the "white lead" industry in the city. White lead was a naturally occurring mineral used in the production of lead paint.
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Source:
1. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, February 18, 1879, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18790218&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
2. Manufacturing Interests," Dubuque Herald, July 31, 1880, p. 8. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4t1CAAAAIBAJ&sjid=d6sMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2946,3409502&dq=shot+manufacturing+dubuque&hl=en
"Dubuque Sought Business Methods From Beginning," Telegraph Herald, March 27, 1921, p. 14. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bi5eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SmANAAAAIBAJ&pg=6644,4092622&dq=james+fanning+dubuque&hl=en
Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1894, p. 232