TURCK, Solomon

TURCK, Solomon. (St. Louis, MO-New York, NY, Jan. 30, 1907). MAYOR. Turck held the office of mayor in 1868. The city complained in 1868 because, although it paid over one-half of the bridge tax, it received no benefit. The county replied that the city was benefited by the trade which came over the bridges to the city.

Under a recent act of the legislature the city voted late in 1868 on the question of compounding the city debt; new bonds were to be issued to cover all the old indebtedness, which aggregated nearly $1,000,000. The overwhelming question at this date was the city debt. Mass meetings with all shades of opinion were held. Many thought the city could secure a great reduction from creditors; a few wanted to repudiate; but the great majority were willing to pay their honest obligations. The city had received the benefits of the money, mostly well spent, and should not now think of repudiation, was the better thought and conclusion. Judge Shiras had been sent to Des Moines to secure the passage of the law. The city under the new law could not issue more bonds than the sum of the old debt and interest. If the new bonds were not issued the city could borrow no more because its credit was gone with a vast debt hanging over it. The vote was finally postponed. A committee of the council was sent East early in 1869 to compromise matters with the city creditors. Turck and Thompson, both ex-mayors, were on the committee.

Turck was again elected mayor in 1872 before resigning to accept the presidency of the Laflin-Rand Powder Company. Turck had been associated with the powder company while living in Dubuque. He served as manager of its manufacturing mill at Platteville, Wisconsin.

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Source:

Oldt, Franklin T. History of Dubuque County. http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/franklin-t-oldt/history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl/page-18-history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl.shtml