Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
RHOMBERG, Joseph A.: Difference between revisions
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In 1876 the famous suit of the government against J. A. Rhomberg & Co. for about $755,000 was begun. (1) 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. 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. The building was converted into the [[IOWA PACIFIC MILL]]. (2) The land was later occupied by the [[DUBUQUE STAR BREWING COMPANY]]. | In 1876 the famous suit of the government against J. A. Rhomberg & Co. for about $755,000 was begun. (1) 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. 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. The building was converted into the [[IOWA PACIFIC MILL]]. (2) The land was later occupied by the [[DUBUQUE STAR BREWING COMPANY]]. | ||
With [[GRAVES, Julius K.|Julius K. GRAVES]], Rhomberg and others organized the [[CHICAGO, DUBUQUE AND MINNESOTA RAILROAD]], [[CHICAGO, CLINTON AND DUBUQUE RAILROAD]], and the Austin and Northwestern Rail Road Company in Texas. 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. ( | With [[GRAVES, Julius K.|Julius K. GRAVES]], Rhomberg and others organized the [[CHICAGO, DUBUQUE AND MINNESOTA RAILROAD]], [[CHICAGO, CLINTON AND DUBUQUE RAILROAD]], and the Austin and Northwestern Rail Road Company in Texas. He served as the first vice-president and superintendent of the Chicago, Clinton and Dubuque Railroad in 1876 when it announced plans to extend its line south of Clinton through Princeton, LeClaire and Pleasant Valley to Davenport and then the coal fields near Muscatine. (3) He was the final president of the line before it was sold. (4) 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]]. (5) | ||
Rhomberg planted and cared for [[ELMS]] along Rhomberg Avenue from [[FIVE POINTS]] to the [[EAGLE POINT]] bluff where [[RHOMBERG PARK]] was loated. When drought threatened, he transported water to the trees in a specially constructed cart pulled by his horse and buggy. | Rhomberg planted and cared for [[ELMS]] along Rhomberg Avenue from [[FIVE POINTS]] to the [[EAGLE POINT]] bluff where [[RHOMBERG PARK]] was loated. 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. In 1873, Rhomberg purchased Ham's entire addition including 600 lots and [[HAM HOUSE]]. Wood's Addition of 100 lots was also included for a total price of $40,000. ( | Rhomberg's interest in the north end of Dubuque included real estate development. In 1873, Rhomberg purchased Ham's entire addition including 600 lots and [[HAM HOUSE]]. Wood's Addition of 100 lots was also included for a total price of $40,000. (6) This would be equal to $800,000 in 2015 prices. (7) 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. | 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 1873 along with Julius K. Graves, Rhomberg was involved in the construction of "tenements" at [[EAGLE POINT]]. Gas and water mains were laid to that part of the city for the use of the residents. ( | 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 1873 along with Julius K. Graves, Rhomberg was involved in the construction of "tenements" at [[EAGLE POINT]]. Gas and water mains were laid to that part of the city for the use of the residents. (8) 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. ( | 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. (9) | ||
See: [[JOSEPH A. RHOMBERG-508 W. 7TH]] | See: [[JOSEPH A. RHOMBERG-508 W. 7TH]] | ||
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Online: https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=u9xDAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&hl=en&pg=GBS.PA866 | Online: https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=u9xDAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&hl=en&pg=GBS.PA866 | ||
3. | 3. "River Railroad Extension," ''The Daily Herald'', June 10, 1876, p. 4 | ||
4. | 4. Oldt | ||
5. | 5. Ibid. | ||
6. | 6. "Rhomberg's Purchase," ''Dubuque Herald'', May 6, 1873, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18730506&printsec=frontpage&hl=en | ||
7. | 7. Inflation Calculator | ||
8. Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, '''History of Dubuque County, Iowa'''. Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, 1911, p. 533 | 8. "Eagle Point Tenements," ''Dubuque Herald'', March 23, 1873, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18730323&printsec=frontpage&hl=en | ||
9. Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, '''History of Dubuque County, Iowa'''. Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, 1911, p. 533 | |||
Revision as of 17:34, 3 August 2017
Family History: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ftm109&id=I11497
RHOMBERG, Joseph A. (Dornbirn, Province of Vorarlberg, Austria, Jan. 12, 1833-Dubuque, IA, May 17, 1897). 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.
In 1876 the famous suit of the government against J. A. Rhomberg & Co. for about $755,000 was begun. (1) 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. 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. The building was converted into the IOWA PACIFIC MILL. (2) The land was later occupied by the DUBUQUE STAR BREWING COMPANY.
With Julius K. GRAVES, Rhomberg and others organized the CHICAGO, DUBUQUE AND MINNESOTA RAILROAD, CHICAGO, CLINTON AND DUBUQUE RAILROAD, and the Austin and Northwestern Rail Road Company in Texas. He served as the first vice-president and superintendent of the Chicago, Clinton and Dubuque Railroad in 1876 when it announced plans to extend its line south of Clinton through Princeton, LeClaire and Pleasant Valley to Davenport and then the coal fields near Muscatine. (3) He was the final president of the line before it was sold. (4) 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. (5)
Rhomberg planted and cared for ELMS along Rhomberg Avenue from FIVE POINTS to the EAGLE POINT bluff where RHOMBERG PARK was loated. 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. In 1873, Rhomberg purchased Ham's entire addition including 600 lots and HAM HOUSE. Wood's Addition of 100 lots was also included for a total price of $40,000. (6) This would be equal to $800,000 in 2015 prices. (7) 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 1873 along with Julius K. Graves, Rhomberg was involved in the construction of "tenements" at EAGLE POINT. Gas and water mains were laid to that part of the city for the use of the residents. (8) 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. (9)
See: JOSEPH A. RHOMBERG-508 W. 7TH
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Source:
1. "The Rhomberg Case," Dubuque Herald, October 15, 1876, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18761015&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
2. Oldt, Franklin T. History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880. Online: https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=u9xDAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&hl=en&pg=GBS.PA866
3. "River Railroad Extension," The Daily Herald, June 10, 1876, p. 4
4. Oldt
5. Ibid.
6. "Rhomberg's Purchase," Dubuque Herald, May 6, 1873, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18730506&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
7. Inflation Calculator
8. "Eagle Point Tenements," Dubuque Herald, March 23, 1873, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18730323&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
9. Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, 1911, p. 533