RHOMBERG, Joseph A.

Family History: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ftm109&id=I11497

Joseph A. Rhomberg. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

RHOMBERG, Joseph A. (Dornbirn, Province of Vorarlberg, Austria, Jan. 12, 1833-Dubuque, IA, May 17, 1897). Railroad builder. Arriving in Dubuque in 1854, Rhomberg became associated in many prosperous industries in the city. In 1864 Rhomberg & Co., distillers, operated sixteen fermenting tubs, each with a capacity of 300 barrels; three high wine receivers of 200 barrels' capacity each, and could handle when working at its best 1,000 bushels of grain per day. This distillery was put in full operation late in 1864.

Soon after the CIVIL WAR the famous suit of the government against J. H. Rhomberg & Co. for about $755,000 was instituted. The claim was that the Rhomberg company had manufactured some 9,000 or 10,000 barrels of whiskey or distilled spirits upon which it had paid no revenue. The property of Mr. Rhomberg was finally seized, but every step was fought in the courts. Other seizures were made here by the government agents. The case finally came up in the United States Circuit Court at Des Moines and a judgment for $103,000 was secured against Mr. Rhomberg. Green B. Raum, commissioner of internal revenue, said there was no doubt as to the justness of the government's contention; but Mr. Rhomberg's friends here declared their belief in his innocence and assisted him all in their power. In the end, after many years, the case was settled. In 1873 the building was converted into the Iowa Pacific Flour Mill on land later occupied by the DUBUQUE STAR BREWING COMPANY.

With Julius K. GRAVES, Rhomberg and others organized the CHICAGO, DUBUQUE AND MINNESOTA RAILROAD, and the CHICAGO, CLINTON, AND DUBUQUE RAILROAD. He served as the first vice-president and superintendent of the Chicago, Clinton and Dubuque Railroad and was the final president of the line before it was sold. Rhomberg and Graves were also responsible for the construction of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul shops in Dubuque. Rhomberg was one of the organizers and owners of the DUBUQUE STREET RAILWAY COMPANY.

Rhomberg planted and cared for ELMS along Rhomberg Avenue from FIVE POINTS to the EAGLE POINT bluff. When drought threatened, he transported water to the trees in a specially constructed cart pulled by his horse and buggy.

Rhomberg's interest in the north end of Dubuque included real estate development. He became so interested in the natural beauty of one piece of property, however, that he directed his children to keep it intact until the citizens of Dubuque would convert it into park. This area eventually became known as EAGLE POINT PARK. Beneath this scenic location, the EAGLE POINT BRIDGE was constructed by a company Rhomberg helped establish.

At the time of his death, Rhomberg had plans to use several hundred acres he purchased near Sageville for a vacation resort to be called "Lakeview." Anticipating the cost to be $200,000, Rhomberg envisioned the creation of a lake by building a 200-foot dam across the Little Maquoketa River. The waters, estimated to have a depth of thirty feet, would be stocked with fish. The surrounding area would be furnished with cottages, boats and, looking toward winter sports, toboggan slides. A three-story hotel was also planned. To encourage visitors, Rhomberg envisioned an extension of the street railway.

Land ownership was an important part of Rhomberg's wealth. In addition to Iowa real estate, he was one the largest landowners in Texas. In 1886 Rhomberg traveled to Chicago to sell a reported 17 million acres which he owned in partnership with several other businessmen.

On the death of Rhomberg, most of his fortune was invested in unimproved real estate around Dubuque. Due to the slow growth of Dubuque in the succeeding years, the property could not be sold, and many less desirable lots were given up for taxes. It was not until forty years after his death that the estate of this prominent Dubuque resident was settled. He is remembered in Dubuque by the naming of Rhomberg Avenue.

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Source:

Oldt, Franklin T. History of Dubuque County. http://www.encyclopediadubuque.org/index.php?title=RHOMBERG%2C_Joseph_A.&action=edit