Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
MULGREW, Thomas James II
MULGREW, Thomas James II. (Dubuque, IA, Nov. 20, 1920--Dubuque, IA, Jan. 18, 2004) The son of Russell and Genevieve Mulgrew, Thomas was the eldest of three children. His grandfather, Thomas James MULGREW was one of Dubuque's most prosperous businessmen.
Mulgrew attended LORAS COLLEGE (then COLUMBIA COLLEGE), where he lettered in track and field and graduated with highest honors. Known by his friends as T.J. and Ace, he was an accomplished snow skier, tennis player and boxer. In later years, Mr. Mulgrew also pursued thoroughbred racing. His prized filly, Iron Elf, raced at Pimlico and Belmont.
After serving as a lieutenant in the Air Force, he moved to Chicago, and worked for the Foote Cone and Belding Advertising Agency, handling many national accounts. While in Chicago, he met Joan Virginia Kiernan, of Montclair, N.J. They were married in 1953, and moved to Dubuque to raise a family.
Returning to Dubuque, Mr. Mulgrew and his brother, Robert, established Mulgrew Blacktop, an asphalt paving company that remained in business for nearly 25 years.
Throughout his life, Mulgrew was actively involved in politics. He served as Dubuque County Democratic Chairman from 1962 to 1967, and was involved in several campaigns, including those of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy. He considered himself a "Yellow Dog" Democrat.
Of his many achievements, he was most proud of a financial risk he took in 1961. Against the advice of friends and business colleagues, he bought a pre-Civil War brick house in the country, miles outside of Dubuque. The small, 40-acre estate was called Derby Grange. In the hands of T.J. and Joan, the place became a haven for good cheer attracting all walks of life.
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Source:
Iowa Gravestones. Online: http://iowagravestones.org/gs_view.php?id=1050113
