John Ellwanger (1849-1917)

ELLWANGER, BUCKNAM, JAEGER, COSTELLA, HESS, SCOTT

Posted By: John A Wagner (email)
Date: 2/15/2004 at 22:21:55

From the Dubuque Telegraph Herald

JOHN ELLWANGER
CALLED BY DEATH
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PIONEER AND PROMINENT DUBUQUE BUSINESS MAN DIES SUNDAY
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RESIDENT OF CITY 65 YEARS
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Was Born in Germany in 1849 and Came to Dubuque with Parents in 1852
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John Peter Ellwanger, one of Dubuque’s most prominent and influential citizens and a resident of sixty-five years, passed away at 6:45 o’clock Sunday evening [22 April 1917] at the family residence, 1392 Main Street.
A native of Germany
John P Ellwanger was born May 24, 1849, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, the son of Peter and Agatha Ellwanger, both natives of that country and where for years the father was a music teacher of some renown. In 1852 the family came to America, settling in Dubuque. Mr. Ellwanger received his education in the Dubuque public schools and at Bayless business college, from which her graduated when thirteen years of age.
His first venture in the business worked was as bundle boy in the dry goods establishment of Wood, Luke & company until they sold out to Sheffield, Wood, & Company, who changed the business to a strictly wholesale establishment. He then entered the employ of James Levi and remained with him about a year, when he became a clerk in a clothing business until 1871. During this year he went with the wholesale liquor firm of Francis Jaeger and until June, 1875 was a bookkeeper. At that time, together with Michael Brady, he purchases a two-thirds interest in his employer’s business and continued operations under the firm name of Brady, Ellwanger & Company. This association continued until the death of Mr. Brady in may 1899 and on the first of June of the same year the firm was incorporated under the name of the John Ellwanger company. Mr. Ellwanger held the presidency of this company up to his death. He was also president of the Dubuque Fire and marine Insurance company, secretary of the Dubuque Bridge company, and a director of the Dubuque alter manufacturing company. He was ha heavy stock holder and a director of the Union Electric company up to the time it was take over by the Dubuque Electric Company.
Surviving relatives
The deceased is survived by his wife and three children: Mrs. Joseph Costella, William E and Ralph J, two sisters, Mrs. Henry Hess of Dallas, Texas, and Mrs. Henry W Scott of Dubuque and two brothers, Herman and Otto, both of Dubuque.
Mr. Ellwanger was one of Dubuque’s leading businessmen and financiers. His death occurred less than one week later than that of another of Dubuque’s prominent and pioneer citizens, D.D. Meyers, Sr., and these two men were associates in many large financial deals.
In religion, Mr. Ellwanger was a devout Catholic, in Politics he was a staunch Democrat.
Funeral Wednesday.
The funeral will be held at 9:00 o’clock Wednesday morning from the residence to St. Mary’s Church. Burial will be in Linwood cemetery and will be private. Friends are requested to omit flowers