Frank E. McInnerny & His Iowa First Capitol Whiskey.

After posting over 750 webpages on Our Iowa Heritage – writing up Iowa City & Johnson County historical stories for over five years now – I never grow tired of how a new story will come my way. Recently, I received an email from a good friend who had just discovered an old shot glass as he was sorting through a collection of items his dad had stored away over the years. My friend enclosed a picture of the glass (see below) and included a few questions for me…

I found this in my father’s items. I think it’s an etched glass, shot sized, and very old. Could it be a picture of Butler’s Capitol? And F.M.C.I. confuses me. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

After a number of years of coming across quite a few Iowa City & Johnson County collectibles, I’m usually able to identify many items that cross my desk, but quite honestly, this old shot glass was something I’d never seen before. First of all, when “souvenir” items with an Iowa City or University of Iowa theme are produced, they always feature – you guessed it – Old Capitol. That statement has been true for well over one hundred years! So, when I saw the etching on the glass featuring ‘Walter Butler’s Capitol’ (and not Old Capitol), I knew we had something unique here.

Oh, and BTW, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the term ‘Walter Butler’s Capitol’, here’s a quick synopsis. In 1839, the Iowa Territorial Legislature and Governor Robert Lucas – meeting in Burlington, Iowa – chose to build a new capital city for our newly-formed U.S. Territory. The name of that new city would be ‘Iowa City’ and since it would take some time to build, not only, a new capitol building, but a whole new city as well, it wouldn’t be an immediate transition for the Territorial government to re-locate from Burlington to Iowa City. By the summer of 1841, with the process of building the new capitol moving along at a snail’s pace, some suggested a change in plans, saying if Iowa City couldn’t host the legislature by December, maybe the whole ‘capital city’ deal should be called off!

When Iowa Citians heard about this threat to their city’s future, one brave & very generous pioneer – Walter Butler – came up with the land (on Clinton Street) and enough funding & labor to quickly construct a large meeting hall that could serve as a temporary home for the Iowa Territorial Legislature. So, on December 6, 1841, Iowa City hosted its first Territorial Legislative Session in what was affectionately called Butler’s Capitol! You can read the full story here.

So, as my friend had correctly surmised, the etching on the shot glass did feature both the correct date (1841) and the ‘capitol’ building used by the Iowa Legislature that first year here in Iowa City. But now, two key questions remained: what do the initials F.M.c.I. mean, and when was this souvenir shot glass produced?

Fortunately, I have some great on-line friends who love Iowa City and Johnson County history enough that when I posted these two questions, within a matter of a couple of hours, I had my answers. And just as it happens so many times, these two short answers to my query have now led me here to tell you the full story of…

Frank E. McInnerny* was born in Iowa City in October 4, 1861, the third of eight children born to the Irish immigrants: Michael McInnerny, and his wife, Mary Ann Daughney McInnerny.

*pronounced ‘ma-kin-ner-knee’

Frank’s father – Michael McInnerny – was born on February 20, 1822 in Ireland, where he spent his early boyhood and youth. At the age of 21, he set sail for America, arriving in Boston in 1845, and after a short stay there, made his way to Augusta, Maine.

During the Mexican war (1846-1848), **Michael McInnerny** enlisted, serving in the U.S. army for five long years. Upon his release, like all U.S. soldiers who served during the Mexican war, Michael received a Bounty Land Grant Warrant (see above), which in his case, was redeemable for 160 acres of land near Amana in Iowa County.

Not being a farmer, Michael McInnerny decided to sell his land grant for 90 cents per acre, giving him $144 which he used, in 1854, to open a mercantile business on Washington Street in Iowa City. Three years later, in 1857, McInnerny married Mary Ann Daughney, and as we mentioned earlier, their second son – Frank E. McInnerny – was one of eight children: John (1858-1859), Mary Vivian “Lizzy” (1859-1929), Frank (1861-1930), Mary Jane (1863-1878), Thomas J. (1865-1884), George (1867-1884), Katie (1869-1869), and Ella (1871-?).

***1870 U.S. Census shows Michael McInnerny, wife Mary, and Elizabeth (Mary Vivian – age 10), Frank (age 8), Mary (age 6), Joseph (Thomas J. – age 4), and George (age 2).***

***1880 U.S. Census shows Michael McInnerny, wife Mary, and Frank (age 18), Joseph (age 15), George (age 14), and Ella (age 9).***

The McInnerny’s went on to become a well-respected family in Iowa City and active members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Interestingly, in January 1897, Michael McInnerny wrote an impassioned editorial to The Iowa State Press, calling for the city to pave over the muddy roads that led to Iowa City’s two cemeteries: St. Joseph’s and Oakland Cemeteries. You can read that editorial here.

Records indicate that poppa Michael continued on in his retail business work well into his 80’s. Notice (above left) an ad featured in the November 14, 1866 edition of The Iowa City Republican, showing that McInnerny had teamed with Iowa City’s well-known businessman – John Sueppel – for a season. Additional records show that Michael eventually transitioned into the restaurant business before dying at the ripe old age of 92, on July 7, 1914. Sadly, his wife, Mary Ann, passed away on September 10, 1882, at the age of 43. Both are buried in Old Saint Joseph’s Cemetery in Iowa City.

Now, back to our successful tavern owner…

City records indicate that in 1883/1884 – around the time of the famous 1884 Iowa City Beer Riots – Frank McInnerny opened his successful tavern/saloon on the southwest corner of Dubuque Street and College Street (129 S. Dubuque Street). Pictured below (left), McInnerney’s Saloon (see #2 on map below) was located directly north and west (across Dubuque Street) from the lot where Butler’s Hall (Capitol) finally landed (see #1 on map below).

FYI: Butler’s building (above right) was moved twice before finally settling in on Dubuque Street in the 1870’s, where it became a rather seedy hotel, and according to some, the city’s first brothel. Read more here.

According to city records, Frank McInnerny’s Saloon – also called a buffet – located at 129 S. Dubuque Street – was a big success, becoming Iowa City’s largest watering hole from its opening around 1884 until Iowa prohibition closed it in 1916. In a February 8, 1975 article by Iowa City historian Irving Weber, we find these entertaining stories about McInnerny’s “buffet”…

It’s reported that tables, chairs and stools were prohibited in “saloons” like McInnerny’s, forcing patrons to “belly up to the bar” while they imbibed their spirits in plain view of the public!

Frank McInnerny’s Saloon on Dubuque Street featured a 150-foot-long bar, claimed by some to be the longest bar west of Chicago! Records show (see below) that in 1900, McInnerny’s bar was one of eight saloons in Iowa City, with their specialty being a “two-egg” beer!

With the great success of his saloon, in 1896, Frank McInnerny opened a wholesale liquor store at 129 S. Clinton Street (see #3 on map below) – located just south of University Square (today’s Pentacrest)…

From 1896 through to 1905, the local Iowa City newspapers were flooded with numerous ads – some as large as a full page (see below right) – featuring McInnerny’s Great Wine & Liquor House…

Now, as Irving Weber’s 1975 article states (below right), Iowa City’s leading business and professionals who felt a bit ashamed “bellying up to the bar”, could now enjoy the fruits of McInnerny’s labors by requesting “home deliveries” made by “unmarked” buggies, adding such special requests as “deliver after dark” or “to the rear door, please!”

Which brings us, now, to the creative genius of Frank McInnerny – businessman extraordinaire.

As both his retail business (saloon) and his wholesale business (wine & liquor house) increased, so did McInnerny’s special flair for marketing. As you can see (above & below), two unique products were developed – beginning around 1902: McInnerny’s Special Brew – a beer prepared by the local brewer Graf’s Brewery, and Iowa First Capitol Whiskey – which became a powerful “loss-leader” for McInnerny’s shops – selling for only $1 per bottle!

And yup, you guessed it! Our “intriguing” shot glass (below) that started this whole story has now found its home. The initials “F.M.c.I.” stand for Frank McInnerny, and as Irving Weber states below, the one and a half ounce glass was produced between 1902-1908 and used as a promotional item at both McInnerny’s saloon and wholesale store.

Keep in mind that Butler’s Hall was still standing, just a bit south and east (across Dubuque Street) from McInnerny’s Saloon, and when it burned (circa 1900) to the ground, we’re guessing that McInnerny – the wise promoter – decided that there was no better way to remember the old Iowa City icon than to name his new whiskey after her!

It’s important to note here that for many years, whiskey was sold as not only a sipping liquor, but also to be used for medicinal purposes. Thus, the June 29, 1903 ad above, states “A Family Safeguard – Always Keep It In The House.”

Ads from local Iowa City newspapers (above and below) feature the health-giving, medicinal purposes for having a bottle (or two?) of Iowa First Capitol Whiskey around the house. And, at only $1 per bottle, how can you go wrong?

Beginning in 1905, the newspaper ads for McInnerny’s wholesale business take on a different address. No longer is 129 South Clinton Street (see #3 on map below) mentioned, but now, 108 E. College Street is advertised (see #4 on map below), located on the northeast corner of Clinton and College Streets…

In large half-page ads, **McInnerny’s Big Buffet** (above & below) is now advertised, with no address mentioned. From 1908 through 1916, we are assuming McInnerny still had two locations: his popular saloon at **129 S. Dubuque Street**, and his wholesale business (Big Buffet) at **108 E. College Street**.

Frank McInnerny and his wife, Ella Butler McInnerny married on March 8, 1886 (see below), and lived many years at 414 Iowa Avenue, and later at 422 S. Dubuque Street.

They had nine children: Veva (1887-1954), George R. (1888-1963), Joseph (1889-1938), Maud (1893-1969), Marcella (1896-1986), Frances (1898-1981), Mary (1900-1988), Agnes (1903-1990), and Helen (1905-1976

***1900 U.S. Census shows Frank McInnerny (age 38), his wife Ella (age 37), and Veva (age 13), George (age 12), Joe (age 10), Maud (age 8), Marcella (age 4), Frances (age 2), and Mary (age 2 months).***

1910 U.S. Census shows Frank McInnerny (age 38), his wife Ella (age 37), and Genniveve (Veva – age 23), G. Raymond (age 21), Joseph (age 19), Maud (age 18), Marcella (age 14), Frances (age 12), Mary (10), Agnes (age 6), and Frank’s father – Michael (age 90). Why the youngest daughter – Helen – is missing is unknown.

As we discuss fully on another page, the State of Iowa has had a long, up-and-down history with prohibition. As you can see from the chart (above), in 1915, the state legislature, under extreme pressure from the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and other well-meaning organizations, reversed the law that allowed each city in Iowa to determine their own levels of prohibition. Here in Johnson County, since the 1884 Beer Riots, there was a great amount of leniency toward liquor consumption, and tavern owners and wholesalers, like Frank McInnerny and others, enjoyed a great amount of freedom in selling their wares.

But, all that changed on January 1, 1916, when seven states, including Iowa, went completely “dry” – meaning the sale of all liquor across the state was now illegal. For Frank McInnerny, who had made a successful living selling alcohol in Iowa City since 1894, this meant a complete change to everything he and his family had ever known. The local newspapers (see below) told the sad story – from the private sale of all their family belongings at 422 S. Dubuque Street, to the sudden move to Quincy, Illinois in order to stay in the liquor business – everything in the life of the McInnerny family changed on that first day of 1916…

With McInnerny’s Saloon now closed at 129 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City movie mogul –Thomas A. “Buster” Brown – took over the entire building, spent $60,000 on remodeling, and on Wednesday, April 19, 1916, opened the Strand Theatre. In the process, the front entrances to the building were changed from Dubuque Street to 129 and 131 E. College Street (see pic below). Read more here.

When the entire nation went “dry” – in 1920 – Frank McInnerny was forced to close his liquor business in Quincy, Illinois, and while he never returned to making his own whiskey and beer in Iowa City, the 1920 city directory does find him serving as the manager of the St. Francis Hotel, located at 25 E. Washington St. (see ads below), located directly south (across the street) from today’s Pentacrest.

1920 U.S. Census shows Frank McInnerny, his wife Ellen A. (Ella), and Genavieve M. (Veva – age 33), George R. (age 31), Joseph E. (age 30), Helen M. (Maud – age 27), Marsella M. (age 23), Francis C. (age 22), Mary M. (18), Agnes E. (age 16), Helen C. (age 13) and a long list of boarders living in the St. Francis Hotel.

By 1925, Frank McInnerny had retired from his job at the St. Francis (which later was renamed The Globe Hotel) and, as found in the 1925 U.S. Census, the family had returned to their original home at 422 S. Dubuque Street…

1925 U.S. Census shows Frank McInnerny (age 64) and his wife Ella (age 63) – returned now to their home at ***422 S. Dubuque***, with Eva (Veva – age 38), George (age 36), Joe (age 34), Maud (age 30), Marcella (age 27), ***Mary (age 23)***, Agnes (age 21), and Helen (age 19).

Sadly, on February 14, 1930, Frank E. McInnerny passed away at the age of 68*.

*U.S. census records, his marriage record, and his obituary (below) all indicate that Frank E. McInnerny was born on October 4, 1861, not 1860, as his tombstone reads.

Fifteen years later, on January 10, 1945, Ella A. McInnerny died at the age of 82.

Like most of the McInnerny family that went before them, Frank & Ella are buried at the Old St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Iowa City.

Pictured above is part of the McInnerny plot at the Old St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City. Interestingly, Frank’s father and mother – Michael & Mary Ann have their last names spelled on their tombstones: McInnery (no ‘n’). We are uncertain about the reason, but a family name search (see coat of arms above) suggests that numerous spellings of this Irish name may have been used when the family came to America.

Here’s a tip of the old hat and a big toast to Frank E. McInnerny and his fine sippin’ whiskey, Iowa First Capitol, and his Special Brew suds! Godspeed!