Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
KEY CITY PLANING COMPANY
KEY CITY PLANING COMPANY. In 1875 Christian LOETSCHER, a twenty-five-year-old Swiss immigrant, opened a mill operating the business from a 16- by 20-foot second floor space leased from the Key City Mill. In 1876 Loetscher formed a partnership with A. B. Carlin and J. Rickard. The company, renamed the Key City Planing Company, purchased CLARK AND SCOTT in 1876 and remained a small millwork factory. In February 1877 Loetscher bought out the interest of W. R. Clark and the business became Farley, Loetscher and Company. (1)
In September 1878 a boiler built by Rouse and Dean and recently repaired exploded. One person was killed and several others injured. The loss was estimated at between $5,000 and $6,000 all of which was charged to the owners. An insurance policy that had been in place had been allowed to lapse. The company had recently leased the PATCH & WAITE mill which allowed business to continue until the mill was repaired. (2)
Jesse P. FARLEY became the principal partner in the company in 1879 by investing $75,000 in a three-story building at Eighth and Jackson STREETS. The company eventually became the FARLEY AND LOETSCHER MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
---
Source:
1. "Business Change," Dubuque Herald, February 1, 1877, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770201&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
2. "Terrific Boiler Explosion," Dubuque Herald, September 28, 1878, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18780928&printsec=frontpage&hl=en