Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BOOTH, Caleb H.
BOOTH, Caleb H. (Chester, PA, Dec. 26, 1814--Dubuque, IA, June 19, 1898). Dubuque's first MAYOR. Soon after becoming an attorney, Booth traveled to Dubuque while it was still a part of Michigan Territory. He arrived on July 3, 1836, one day before the act establishing the new Territory of Wisconsin. Years later, Booth brought the first steam engine to the community and built the first steam-powered sawmill on the upper MISSISSIPPI RIVER on a site later used as a yard by the STANDARD LUMBER COMPANY. Booth was also a participant in MINING, finding one of the largest LEAD veins in the area and recovering seven million pounds of ore.
Booth held a wide variety of business interests including RAILROADS. He was a partner in the mercantile business of Booth, Townsend and Company; assistant secretary and treasurer of the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad Company; secretary and treasurer of the Cedar Falls and Minnesota Railway Company; and general manager of the Dubuque and Dakota Railroad until it was sold. With other partners, Booth invested in the Dubuque and Pacific Railroad and was elected treasurer and one of the directors of the company in 1857. In 1856 he was one of the commissioners who established the State Bank of Iowa. In 1868 Booth helped organize the DUBUQUE AND DUNLEITH BRIDGE Company. He was also secretary and treasurer of the Iowa Land and Loan Company.
Booth, an inventor, designed Booth's Improved Dredge Pump. This invention was used to fill in low lands and swamps and allowed once useless land to be made productive. Responsible for the filling of sloughs on Dubuque's southeast riverfront, Booth can be credited with lessening the rate of illness in the city and providing improved docking for STEAMBOATS. He also developed a rapid process of manufacturing SHOT that contributed to the success of the firm of Booth, Carter and Company.
Beginning a long political life, Booth was elected a member of Iowa's first territorial legislature when it convened in Burlington. Later he was elected to the first legislature that convened at the territorial capital in Iowa City. In 1841 Booth was chosen Dubuque's first mayor. During the administrations of Presidents Polk and Taylor, Booth served as the Surveyor General of the district including Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. With William J. BARNEY, several subdivisions and the town of Farley, named for Jesse P. FARLEY.