Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
LANGE, Otto F.
LANGE, Otto F. (Dubuque, IA, Feb. 16. 1869--Dubuque, IA, Feb. 21, 1937). Lange was educated in the Dubuque schools and then worked one year as a bookkeeper for RYDER BROS. WHOLESALE GROCERS. He then traveled for GLASSER & BRADLEY before entering the insurance business. (1)
Lange, head of LANGE'S INSURANCE AGENCY in Dubuque, began his political service in 1926 with his election to the Iowa Senate from Dubuque County. The first Republican elected to that office from Dubuque County, Lange listed among his legislative initiatives the Iowa Preference Law. This required the Iowa Board of Control to give preference to products manufactured in Iowa when purchases were made for state institutions. (2)
Lange authored the Chain Store Bill that provided for a tax of $50.00 annually on every business maintaining six or more stores in the State of Iowa. (3) Lange, a strong advocate of new bridges over free bridges across the MISSISSIPPI RIVER, believed such bridges should offer fifty feet for vehicles and ten feet for pedestrians and be paid for by tolls until paid off. (4) Of great interest to river cities like Dubuque was Lange's bill which would have made it possible for the state to build grain elevators at river cities. In 1929 high praise came from local merchants for his bill to establish a retail food distribution commission. (5)
In 1930 and 1932 Lange lost primary races for governor of Iowa. (6)
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Source:
1. Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, 1911, p. 735
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. "Lange Boosting East Iowa Bridges," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, January 14, 1929, p. 5
5. "Dubuquer's Hat Tossed Into Ring at Grocers' Meet," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, October 22, 1929, p. 1
6. Goodspeed