Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
HEER, Fridolin
HEER, Fridolin. (Wallenstadt, Switzerland, July 30, 1834-Dubuque, IA, Sept. 19, 1910). Heer was apprenticed to a master stonecutter at Rapperswill, Switzerland for six years. (1) He then traveled in northern Germany before studying art in Munich for two years. He established himself as a steinmetzmeister (master stone cutter) in Chur, Canton Granbrundten Switzerland in 1860, but financial reversals forced him to leave his country and come to the United States in 1865. (3) After staying a short time in Belleville, Illinois, he moved with his wife to Chicago and then to Dubuque in 1869. (4)
Heer worked first as a stone cutter from 1868 to 1870 and then made architecture his career. (5) He is remembered as the architect of such Dubuque buildings as the Levi store, Town Clock Building, and St. Francis Convent and Orphans' Home. He also designed the homes of William L. BRADLEY, Sr., David B. HENDERSON, James Levi, and Andrew Tredway. (6)
In his later years Heer worked in association with his son Fridolin Joseph HEER, Jr. in the firm named FRIDOLIN HEER & SON. This firm designed the DUBUQUE COUNTY COURTHOUSE and directed the construction of the DUBUQUE BREWING AND MALTING COMPANY along with the homes of many prosperous Dubuque residents. (7) After the collapse of the first TOWN CLOCK, Heer designed a building at 825 Main with sufficient strength to hold the city landmark. (8)
He joined the Western Association of Architects in 1886, becoming a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects at the consolidation in 1889. He was a charter member of the Iowa Chapter, founded in 1903. (9) Heer was also the founder of the Swiss Helvetia Maennerchor and president of the group at the time of his death. He was also a member of the DUBUQUE SHOOTING SOCIETY, OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION, Veteran Firemen, and the DUBUQUE SAENGERBUND.
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Source:
1. Sommer, Lawrence J. The Heritage of Duubuque; An Architectural View, Tel Graphics, East Dubuque, Illinois, 1975, p. 159
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. "Fridolin J. Heer, Sr." arch InForm--http://eng.archinform.net/arch/73148.htm
5. The Heritage of Dubuque; An Architectural View, p. 160
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. "Town Clock," http://www.edbqhs.org/District/LocalAreaHistory/TownClocklah.htm
9. "Fridolin J. Heer, Sr." arch InForm--http://eng.archinform.net/arch/73148.htm
