MEHLHOP, John Sr.

Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

Mehlhop, John Sr. (Kingdom of Hanover, Jan 26, 1817--Dubuque, IA, Nov. 1, 1901). Mehlhop immigrated to the United States at the age of sixteen and landed in New Orleans, Louisiana. He worked for his steamboat passage to St. Louis, Missouri and then remained there until he had earned enough money for the trip to Dubuque in 1834. He stayed only a short time before returning to St. Louis. (1)

Cigar box opener

In 1849 Mehlhop and a partner purchased a farm about fifteen miles south Dubuque. In 1852 he sold it at a profit. In 1853 he became a partner in Kleine, Meyer and Company, a retail grocery business. In 1857 he had a building constructed between 12th and 13th STREETS and established the firm of Mehlhop & Meyer. (2)

At some time after a trip to Europe, he relocated his business named Murdock & Mehlhop to Iowa Street and remained there until 1864. This later became JOHN MEHLHOP, SON AND COMPANY which supplied a trade in western Wisconsin, western Illinois, southern Minnesota, southern Dakota and the entire state of Iowa. (3) That firm incorporated in 1891 and moved to Second and Iowa where they remained until 1901. (4) Mehlhop later retired from active business and the firm of Mehlhop and Son was discontinued.

Its successor, H. H. MEHLHOP, wholesale distributors of tobaccos and cigarettes, was owned and managed by Henry H. Mehlhop, his grandson. When he died in June 1924, the wholesale cigar business was conducted by the estate until December 1, 1925 when the company was succeeded by The House of Mehlhop, Inc. under the management of Carl F. Mehlhop. (5)

Mehlhop served on the city council. His home, the "King Mansion," was originally the residence of John KING.

---

Source:

1. "A Pioneer Gone," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, November 1, 1901, p. 3

2. Ibid.

3. "Mehlhop House is 75 Years Old," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, August 24, 1930, p. 59

4. Ibid.

5. "Mehlhop House..."

Advertisement