Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
OTT, Joseph John
OTT, Joseph John. (Dubuque, IA, Dec. 30, 1866--Dubuque, IA, Jan. II, 1939). Lumberman. Ott was an owner of the SVENDSEN AND OTT LUMBER COMPANY. He was also president of the Dubuque Altar Manufacturing Company, president of several out-of-state lumber companies, and vice-president of the DUBUQUE STAR BREWING COMPANY.
Ott began his business career as a messenger at the Second National Bank. He rose to the position of teller before he entered the lumber business as a partner in the Svendsen and Ott Lumber Company. The company was dissolved when logging was no longer profitable.
Ott moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and became vice-president and general manager of the John H. Kaiser Lumber Company. He left this company to serve as vice-president of the Stinson Tractor Company and also an organizer of the Gillette Rubber Company. This company was later sold to the United States Rubber Company. Ott returned to Dubuque and organized the Ott Rubber Company from which he retired.
Locally, Ott served as chairman of the Dubuque County Democratic Central Committee. He was also a candidate for MAYOR of Dubuque as a member of the Citizen's Party but lost this election to Henry A. SCHUNK.