Encyclopedia Dubuque
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LOETSCHER, Christian
LOETSCHER, Christian. (St. Antönien, Kanton Graubünden, Switzerland, Aug. 2, 1850--Dubuque, IA, May 10, 1922). Founder, FARLEY AND LOETSCHER MANUFACTURING COMPANY. Loetscher, settling in Dubuque in1872, worked for Patch & White, a sash, door, and blind manufacturing company but soon resigned to go into business for himself. He leased space from the Key City Planing Company and began his own millwork company.
In 1878 Loetscher formed a partnership with W. R. Clarke, A. B. Carlin, and J. A. Rickard and purchased the Key City Planing Mill. The partnership was changed in 1879 when Jesse P. FARLEY invested in the business. The name Farley and Loetscher Manufacturing Company was the name under which the company was incorporated in 1881.
The firm manufacturing sash, doors, and blinds, became the nation's largest sash and door manufacturing company. Farley served as president until succeeded by Loetscher in 1894. In 1900 Loetscher pioneered the use of west coast white pine lumber. The company expanded into markets surrounding St. Louis, Chicago, Sioux Falls, and Des Moines.
Loetscher also served as president of the Loetscher and Ryan Manufacturing Company, officer of the DUBUQUE SPECIALTY MACHINE WORKS, organizer of the Dubuque Press Brick Company, and director of the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE.
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Source:
Dr. Andreas Heege, Im Roetel 3, CH 6300 Zug, Switzerland. E-mail. October 9, 2013