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editThe three Struble brothers, John T., Isaac S., and George R., all played significant roles in the early history of Iowa. Some of John T.'s constructions still stand near the Univ of Iowa campus, notably two churches (the Congregational and Catholic) and the old St Agatha seminary, which is now a refurbished apartment building. Iowa only became a state in 1846, and the lives of these three brothers offers insight into the formative years of the Hawkeye State.
The "A Fact a Day About Iowa City" article of 1935 indicates that John T.'s father-in-law, William B. Snyder, was superintendent of construction in building the Old Capitol building at Iowa City. The Iowa City Daily News, 11/28/1916, states that Snyder "designed the Old Capitol, which soon became the first of Iowa university's ... edifices." However, Harvey W. Henry of Iowa City informs by email that John F. Rague was the chief architect.
Incidental research on John T. revealed a reference re the old capitol building as to how sketchy the plans were by architect John F. Rague, and how Snyder [Virginia Struble's father] had virtually to design the dome himself. Also Bob Hibbs, Iowa City's resident historian, informs that Snyder discovered a quarry about ten miles upstream on the Iowa River, which contained stone far superior in quality and durability to what was used in the initial phases of the capitol building's construction. Snyder arranged for extraction from the quarry and transportation to the site. He had some of the inferior material replaced, and used only the newfound stone in completing the project. Snyder's work accounts for "Old Cap's" exterior to this day. Elburts 23:12, 9 July 2007 (UTC)