Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
KAPP, John
KAPP, John. (Rhine Province, Germany, Sept. 15, 1845-Unknown). Co-founder, DUBUQUE MATTRESS COMPANY. Kapp and his parents came to the United States in 1851 and moved to Iowa in 1859. In 1860 they moved to Dubuque where John served an apprenticeship of three years and learned the mattress manufacturing business.
He left Dubuque to live in Chicago and Indiana until 1876 when he returned. With his father, he formed the firm of Kapp and Son in 1876. In 1877 they changed the name to the Dubuque Mattress Company. Located then at 451 Fourth Street, the company was the pioneer wool mattress factory and the first of its kind west of the MISSISSIPPI RIVER.