In 1875 Christian Loetscher opened a millworking business in Dubuque. In 1876 he formed a partnership with A.B. Carlin and J. Rickard and Loetscher's company became Clark, Rickard and Company. J. Farley became the principal partner in 1879 and in 1881 the company was incorporated as the Farley and Loetscher Manufacturing Company. In 1900 the company branched out to markets around St. Louis, Chicago, Sioux Falls, S.D. and Des Moines and was at one time the largest millwork plant in the world. A line of laminated plastics was added to the company's products in the 1930s. The company was purchased by Clear Fir Sales Company in 1960 and in 1962 Farley and Loetscher closed its doors.
From the description of Farley & Loetscher Mfg. Co. records, 1881-1962. (Iowa Sate Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 61514184
