Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
ELLWANGER, William Edward, Sr.
ELLWANGER, William Edward, Sr. (Dubuque, IA, Jan. 30, 1875--Phoenix, AZ, May 10, 1944). John E. Ellwanger, the father of William, was instrumental in bringing about the construction of the DUBUQUE WAGON BRIDGE. In the years that followed, John gradually bought a controlling interest in the bridge and served as the president of the DUBUQUE BRIDGE CO. until his death in April 1917. (1)
William E. Ellwanger, Sr. succeeded his father as the bridge company president. At the time the bridge commission for the JULIEN DUBUQUE BRIDGE purchased the company's stock, William E. Ellwanger and his daughter were in control. William E. Ellwanger had so much experience in bridge operation and management that the commission asked him to continue in his same capacity. (2) His business activities, however, were shortly overtaken by national PROHIBITION. At the end of 1919, William was forced to close the business his father had built. (3)
William Ellwanger served as both president of the Fitzgerald Cigar Co. and president of the Dubuque Bridge Co. (4) He was very active in the DUBUQUE AUTOMOBILE CLUB.
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Source:
1. Kruse, Len. My Old Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa: Center for Dubuque History-Loras College, 2000, p. 102.
2. Ibid.
3. Sullivan, Jack. "Those Pre-Pro Whiskey Men," Online: http://pre-prowhiskeymen.blogspot.com/2012_02_01_archive.html
4. Ibid.
Find a Grave. Online: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Ellwanger&GSiman=1&GScnty=577&GRid=14304471&
