The two Archbishops that followed Archbishop Hennessey, while not related, both shared the last name Keane.  John Keane served as Archbishop from July of 1900 until poor health forced him to retire in 1911.  He was followed by James Keane, who served as Bishop from 1911 to 1929.  During James Keane’s tenure as Archbishop, further work was done to the Cathedral in 1914.

Following the retirement of James Keane, Francis J.L. Beckman was named Archbishop in May of 1930.  Beckman served as Archbishop of Dubuque from 1930 until 1946.  During this time Msgr. James V. Casey was rector of the Cathedral parish.

In the years leading up to the Second World War, Beckman was a vocal opponent of military action.  He saw the church as an instrument of peace.

The time that Beckman was a trying time for the world at all levels.  When Beckman was first named Archbishop, the Great Depression was ravaging the American economy.  Events such as the rise of Nazi Germany and an increasingly militant Japan would lead to war, and untold suffering for millions of people.

Beckman would unfortunately encounter financial difficulties both personally and for the Archdiocese as well. These problems would lead to the appointment of Henry Rohlman as Coadjutor Archbishop of Dubuque. Rohlman had been a former priest of the Archdiocese who had helped found Nativity Parish in Dubuque, and who had most recently been Bishop of the Davenport, Iowa Diocese.

In 1944 Bishop Henry Rohlman was installed as Coadjutor Archbishop of Dubuque.  Beckman decided to retire in 1946, at which point Rohlman became the fifth Archbishop of Dubuque.  He would serve as Archbishop until his retirement in 1954.