Encyclopedia Dubuque
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MEUSER, William H.
MEUSER, William H. (Mineral Point, WI--Dubuque, IA, Nov. 28, 1944). MAYOR. Meuser was involved in establishing MAIZEWOOD Insulation Company, MEUSER LUMBER COMPANY in which he served as secretary and treasurer, and METZ MANUFACTURING COMPANY. He was also a part-owner of the GOOSE HORN MINE. Mayor of Dubuque in 1930-1931, Meuser was a former president of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the board of education, official of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and member of the archdiocesan board of Catholic charities. (1)
It was Meuser who, as a council member, suggested that property owners to be affected by future paving projects should be heard by the council. If enough concern was voiced and the project was not considered a priority a great deal of engineering staff time and therefore money could be saved. (2) Meuser was nominated for the position of mayor from the city council by Mayor Martin B. ANDELFINGER and elected unanimously. (3)
Many changes occurred in Dubuque during his term of office. In May, 1930 Justin R. Hartzog of the Nolen Organization Survey Company was hired to make a survey of the local conditions and to draft a master plan for the orderly development of the city. (4) During Meuser's administration the DUBUQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT joined the National Safety Council. In the midst of the GREAT DEPRESSION, part of CITY ISLAND was turned over to the poor so that they could plant gardens. Dubuque joined fourteen other cities in 1930 to successfully influence Congress to pass measures establishing a nine-foot CHANNEL in the MISSISSIPPI RIVER. The city FIRE DEPARTMENT quit using horse-drawn equipment. The Park Board rejected the idea of turning the SHOT TOWER into a monument. The drawbridge of the DUNLEITH AND DUBUQUE BRIDGE was converted from steam to electricity. Dubuque's city water supply receiving the approval of the state board of health was advertised by the state highway commission with signs along highways leading into the city. The FEDERAL BARGE LINE terminal and the new West Dubuque sewer system costing just short of $81,000 were completed.
Meuser was very active in the Catholic Order of Foresters. He was the first recording secretary of the Marquette court and then became its chief ranger, a position he held for many years. He followed this by serving as the state treasurer. Meuser served as high court trustee from 1918 to 1927 and high court (international) treasurer from 1927 to 1933. (5)
His son was Leo MEUSER, a county treasurer.
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Source:
1. "Meuser Rites Are Arranged," Telegraph-Herald, November 29, 1944, p. 10
2. "To Hear Paving Objectors Friday," Telegraph Herald, Nov. 29, 1928, p. 2. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=03VFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=obwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1049,4575216&dq=william+meuser+dubuque&hl=en
3. "William H. Meuser is Elected Mayor by City Council," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, April 8, 1930, p. 1
4. "City Planning Expert is Here," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, May 29, 1930, p. 25
5. "Tribute Paid Will H. Meuser," Telegraph-Herald, December 19, 1944, p. 11