Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
LANGWORTHY, Edward
LANGWORTHY, Edward. (St. Lawrence Co., NY, Aug. 3, 1808-Dubuque, IA, Jan. 5, 1893). In September 1832, Langworthy may have constructed the first house in the future state of Iowa. One of many eager miners of LEAD, Langworthy and his brothers James LANGWORTHY and Edward LANGWORTHY were driven from the region in November of that year by soldiers from Prairie du Chien who had the responsibility of keeping whites east of the MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
Langworthy returned to the Iowa side of the river in April 1833. He built several homes and many stores. Elected town trustee, county commissioner, and a member of the legislature for three sessions, Langworthy was also a member of the constitutional convention when he proposed to exclude "negroes" from the state and to abolish the grand jury system. Neither idea passed. Langworthy helped create a claims system for the sale of mineral lands which was adopted by the public land office.
As a city alderman, Langworthy helped establish schools, factories, and a street railway system. He supported street and road improvements. Members of the firm of J. L. Langworthy and Bros. were prominent. Following the financial panic of 1857-58, he became a stockholder and director of the FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE.
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Source:
Dubuque City Directory, 1857-1858
Hudson, David; Bergman, Marvin; Horton, Loren. The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 2008
History of Dubuque County Iowa. Chicago: Western History Company, 1880