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.
TORBERT DRUG COMPANY
TORBERT DRUG COMPANY. The Torbert Drug Company advertised itself in 1911 as the oldest and one of the largest drug houses in Iowa.
The drug business Williard H. TORBERT carried on was the GOOD SAMARITAN DRUG STORE established by Timothy Mason in 1837. The business was originally strictly a retail store but later branched out into wholesale. In 1861 the company was purchased by P. C. Sampson after he had dissolved his partnership in SAMSON & MOORE. Mr. Torbert joined the firm as a partner. By 1874 Torbert had assumed conrol of the company which was known as W. H. TORBERT.
The Torbert Drug Company was formally established in 1906 with Mr. Torbert listed as president and G.A. Grimm as vice-president. It was then located at 767 Iowa and 756 Main. The growth of the company led to its incorporation and need for stockholders.
In 1916 a Mr. Buesch became president of the company.
The 1916-1917 White's Dubuque County Directory and the 1918 Dubuque and East Dubuque City Directory listed 737 Main as the address.
Buesch was succeeded in 1920 by C.H. Wunderlich.
