Amos H. Peaslee (24th Mayor of Dubuque) 1873-1874

PEASLEE

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 12/27/2016 at 10:48:51

PEASLEE, Amos H. (Burlington, VT, Oct. 16, 1826--Dubuque, Mar. 28, 1878). MAYOR. Peaslee came to Iowa in 1852 and became the manager of a hotel in Dubuque. He went to Anamosa, where he was landlord of the Fisher House, postmaster and first mayor of the town. He returned to Dubuque in 1861 and kept the Julien House until 1864. He moved to a farm near Anamosa until 1866 when he returned to Dubuque. (1)
In 1866 he began PEASLEE & COMPANY for the manufacture of quality ales. (1) The business thrived, and by 1870 the Iowa Industry Census showed that the company was producing products with a market value of $20,500. His trade reached the Dakotas, Colorado, Nebraska, and New Mexico to the west and Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. (2)
Peaslee served as alderman and mayor of Dubuque. In 1871 he petitioned the Iowa Legislature for funds to construct a wagon bridge over the MISSISSIPPI RIVER and was told the idea was impractical. (2) The city council and board of directors of the Northwestern Agricultural and Mechanical Society, of which he was a member, adopted resolutions of respect to his memory and attended his funeral.