Our History
Mulgrew Oil & Propane Co. was founded in May 1893, by Thomas J. Mulgrew when he bought a coal yard on the Dubuque waterfront. The company started out providing coal to packet ships and sold coal to industries and residents to heat their homes. In 1901, an ice business was added to the company as a companion to the coal business, allowing the delivery of ice to customers in the summer and coal in the winter. The ice block business remained active until the late 1950’s and the company continued selling packaged ice until that product line was sold in 1984.
In 1927, the company started selling oil and petroleum products using Skelly Oil Company as its first supplier. The company has switched oil suppliers a few times over the years; however, in 1983, the company merged with Arbee Oil Company, which was the local Amoco distributor. Amoco, now BP, is the only company in the Midwest that has its own refinery and pipeline in the Midwest, which ensures a consistent, high quality product.
Through continual growth and acquisitions, Mulgrew Oil and Propane has expanded our product offerings from coal and ice to include Fuels (diesels & gasolines). Propane, Diesel Exhaust Fluid, Equipment and Service, as well as increasing our reach by expanding our locations from a single warehouse in Dubuque to 13 locations spanning the tri-state area.
Along with this growth, an ownership change occurred. In September of 2019 after serving 22 years as the Vice President and then President, Tom Flogel purchased Mulgrew Oil and Propane Co from Jim Mulgrew . Tom has continued to drive and support the growth of the business as he has in the past; including the closing of 34 mergers and acquisitions. Today, Tom is joined by his sons Jackson and Davis who work alongside him on a daily basis to continue the Mulgrew Oil and Propane tradition. As a dynamic, passionate team we are proud of our past and even more excited about our future. Our industry continues to evolve, so we are driven to continually reinvest in our systems and practices to ensure we are your best energy option for today and for years to come!
1890's
1893
Thomas J Mulgrew founds the THOMAS J MULGREW COMPANY, operating out of a coal yard on the riverfront of the Mississippi.
1896
Thomas J Mulgrew Co begins selling ice, harvested directly from the Mississippi River.
1900's
1904
The company is incorporated in 1904, and a second ice house is constructed along the river front.
1910's
1915
A new office building is constructed at the corner of Jones and Main in Dubuque.
1920's
1923
Carl and Russell Mulgrew, Thomas’ sons, join the company.
1926
The company begins selling oil and petroleum products including kerosene, heating oil, and petroleum. The company’s first provider was Skelly Oil.
1940's
1943
The company celebrates 50 years in business!
1950's
1955
On the passing of Thomas Mulgrew in 1954 and Carl Mulgrew in 1955, Carl’s wife Marie became the president of the company, serving until 1983.
1959
The coal portion of the business is sold. Around this time, the company is renamed to Mulgrew Oil Company, to better identify the core focus of the company.
1960's
1965
Mulgrew Oil starts representing Sunoco Oil.
1970's
1975
Pat Mulgrew’s son-in-law, Rick Fassbinder, begins working hauling fuel for the company.
1980's
1980
Jim Mulgrew, Tom Flogel, and Dave Crimmins begin working summer jobs for the company packing and moving ice.
1983
Pat Mulgrew, Carl and Marie’s son, assumes leadership of the company.
1984
Mulgrew Oil Co sells the ice portion of the business, choosing to focus on petroleum.
1987
Jim Mulgrew, Pat’s son, joins the company full-time.
1990's
1993
Mulgrew Oil Celebrates 100 years in business!
1995
Jim Mulgrew assumes ownership of Mulgrew Oil, marking Pat Mulgrew’s retirement.
1997
Tom Flogel joins the company full-time.
1998
Mulgrew Oil acquires Brooke Enterprises of West Liberty, adding 10+ retail sites and a wholesale delivery business. The image below shows a delivery vehicle of theirs from the late 1920s!
2000's
2002
Mulgrew Oil acquires Swiss Valley’s fuel delivery in Guttenberg.
2002
Mulgrew Oil acquires Swiss Valley’s fuel delivery in Preston.
2002
Mulgrew Oil acquires Farmers Exchange of Galena.
2002
Mulgrew Oil acquires Saam Oil Co’s fuel delivery business, adding fuel storage in Scales Mound IL.
2005
The company relocates from our position under the Julien Dubuque Bridge to our current location at 10314 Silverwood Drive just outside of Dubuque.
2007
Mulgrew Oil acquires Rick Caryl’s fuel delivery in Central City.
2008
Mulgrew Oil merges with Perfection Oil of Dubuque.
2008
Mulgrew Oil acquires R&K Oil, adding fuel storage in Dewitt, IA.
2008
Mulgrew Oil acquires Innovative Ag’s Elma, IA fuel delivery business.
2008
Mulgrew Oil acquires Innovative Ag’s Monona fuel and propane delivery business. This adds fuel and propane storage in Monona, IA, marking Mulgrew Oil’s first activity in the propane business.
2009
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires Keatley Oil, adding fuel storage in Lansing, IA.
2010's
2010
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires Timmerman Oil in Dickeyville.
2011
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires Cordes Oil, adding fuel and propane storage in Strawberry Point, IA.
2013
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires Bresnahan Oil Co in Waukon, IA.
2014
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires Paul’s Pump Service Dubuque, IA.
2015
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires Kelly Oil Co, adding fuel storage in Clinton, IA.
2015
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires Suburban Propane’s Scales Mound operation (formerly Saam Oil Co) adding propane storage in Scales Mound, IL.
2017
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires Hill & Dell’s tank wagon delivery business of Erie, IL.
2017
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires Chase Oil Co, adding fuel and propane storage in Oelwein, IA.
2017
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires Sweeney Oil Co of Waukon, IA.
2018
Mulgrew Oil and Propane celebrates 125 years in business.
2019
Tom’s son Jackson joins the business.
2019
Tom Flogel purchases Mulgrew Oil and Propane Co from Jim Mulgrew.
2020's
2020
Mulgrew Oil and Propane Co exchanges our retail and wholesale business with Molo Companies, receiving their tank wagon fuel delivery from Dubuque to the Quad Cities. This solidifies our focus on straight truck/bobtail deliveries of diesel fuels and propane.
2020
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires Michek Oil, adding fuel and propane storage in Highland, WI.
2022
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires Bowman Oil of Maquoketa, IA.
2023
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires McDermott Petroleum Products of Dubuque, IA.
2023
Tom’s son Davis joins the business.
2024
Mulgrew Oil and Propane acquires D&J Feed and LP of Monona’s propane delivery business.
2024
Mulgrew Oil and Propane divests of our lubricant division to Hovden Oil, further refining our focus on continuing to be the best tank wagon fuel and propane delivery company in the Midwest.
