website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of
Watertown, Wisconsin
Chapter
on Bands & Orchestras
1847 A BAND
07 07 A few young men of this village are
making another attempt to get up a band of music. It is proposed that our citizens purchase the
instruments and give the band the use of them.
About $150 would be required for this purpose—a sum which we presume
might readily be raised. A good band is
much needed here, and we see not why we may not have one. WC
1860
10 05 Watertown
Brass Band at County Fair at Jefferson WR
12 13 Watertown
Brass Band at New Year’s celebration WD
1866 WATERTOWN’S FIRST BAND
A picture of Watertown’s first band organized in 1866,
composed of Al Rutherford, Otto Schulerman, W. D. Sproesser, William F. Quentmeyer,
Carl Nowack, William Sommerfelt,
Frank Kartak, Fred Pohlmann,
one unknown.
1870
WATERTOWN EARLY GERMAN TRUMPET BAND (same
as Cornet Band?)
Organized in 1870.
1883
06 27 PHILHARMONIC CORNET BAND / The Fourth at Concordia
Concordia Island will be an attractive spot on the Fourth next Wednesday. Picnicking will be the order of the day amid
the sylvan shades in this favorite retreat and the hours will be enlivened with
sweet chords of music from the Philharmonic Cornet Band. Arrangements have been made for grand balloon
ascensions and other amusements during the afternoon. WR
07 04 Philharmonic
Band, 1883, Parade,
school children to Concordia Island
1800s, late
George Spohn, pictured with zither, late 1800s.
1890
07 09 NEW CORNET BAND
The Fourth of July
has passed in this city had a sort of free-for- all turn about it, our people
mostly rendering homage to the anniversary with a true spirit of
independence. Bunting was profusely
displayed along the streets, and the fire cracker was ever present and of good
report. The largest muster of people was
at Turner park, where the new cornet band held forth from the pavilion, and
Miss Pauline Voss read the declaration of independence. In the city park a number
of families partook of their dinner, which was spread from numerous
well-filled baskets taken to the grounds, tables and seats having been
provided. Many pleasantly chatted and
visited under the teepees during the afternoon, while the young people, with a
few older ones mixed in for variety, engaged in frolic and amusement in the
shaded recesses of the enclosure. WR
HARDEGE’S ORCHESTRA
06 04 EIGHT-PIECE BAND
Watertown
is at last possessed of a band, one having been recently organized under the
leadership of C. J. Wenck, composed of eight
pieces. The band practices in rooms in
the Electric Light building. It has
seemed one of the strangest of strange things for a musical city like Watertown
to be without a band. We trust that the
new organization will meet with every encouragement and be well supported. It is due to the interest of our city that
the band be well sustained. WR
1895
03 13 "HAYSEED" BAND OF THE "JOSH SPIUCEBY
The "Hayseed" band of the "Josh Spiuceby" company appeared on the streets shortly
before noon yesterday, singly or in pairs, dressed in typical
"hayseed" attire, and mingled with the crowds of country people,
causing considerable merriment to those who watched them. Finally the members gathered at the post
office corner and a band concert was given.
WR
05 22 BAND CONCERTS AT CITY PARK
The open-air band concerts at the city park were
inaugurated last evening by the Watertown Cornet band. A large crowd was on hand to listen to the
music, and the concerts, which will be given regularly until further notice,
promise to be quite popular. The common
council has granted the band the use of the land for this purpose. WR
c.1895
OLD DUTCH BAND
Members
of the "Old Dutch Band" rehearsing in the office of the old Fuermann Brewery.
(l-r)
William Grossert, Don Harbeck,
H. Riemstead, and William Sergel,
the director.
Spectators
(l-r) Theodore Koerner and William Goecke.
OLD DUTCH BAND (assumed)
Men in front of the Fuermann Brewery office,
presumably members of the "Old Dutch Band"
1898 WATERTOWN
BAND IN 1898
Members
were: W. Jones, E. Haack, A. Polzin, A. Dietor, A.
Krebs, G. Stube, M. Voight, G. Kunert,
W. Kusel, E. Tank, G. Goodnette,
and G, Henke.
c.1899 WATERTOWN’S
FAMOUS BAND
A
comic band, circa 1899, the
"Watertown’s Famous Band."
This was obviously a joke or comic band created during the Harvest Jubilee in Sept., 1899. This image was taken inside the office of the
old Fuermann brewery
on S. First and Jones streets.
Instruments are all made of cardboard, and also note the various music
titles. The two gents on the floor are
wearing uniforms of the Sinnissippi Band.
1900
02 13 NEW ORCHESTRA FORMED
It may not be generally known that a
new orchestra has been organized in this city, consisting of twenty
members. The organization has for its
purpose the production of the better class of orchestral music, and will prove
of special value, in an instructive way, to its members. The founders have labored incessantly to
interest the players of the city in the enterprise, and the result is a very creditable
organization, which ought to be encouraged by our citizens in every way. The club will make its initial appearance
tomorrow evening at the entertainment arranged for the visiting dairymen at
Turner Opera house, for which it has offered its services. WR
1902
03 14 JOHN PHILIP SOUSA PERFORMS IN WATERTOWN
Our music-loving people have not been
given such a treat for many a day as was vouchsafed to them last Monday
afternoon when John Philip Sousa and the famous band visited our city, giving
one concert. Turner
Hall Opera House was filled with a most admiring and appreciative audience,
composed of some of our best people, and quite a large contingent from
neighboring towns, special trains being run to accommodate them. From the moment that Sousa, with his fine
military bearing and the numerous decorations bestowed upon him during his
recent visit to Europe, made his appearance on the stage, until the close of
the concert, the interest manifested was intense; each number was
enthusiastically applauded and the musicians were very
generous in responding to encores. The
trombone solo by Arthur Pryor, the soprano solo by Miss Maud Reese Davies, and
violin solo by Miss Dorothy Hale, were all very much enjoyed and heartily applauded. While every number was good, we think the
ones most enjoyed were the part from La Tosca and "The Night
Hall." Sousa went from here by
special train to Fond du Lac. WG
03 15 SOUSA'S BAND CONCERT
The young men who have special charge
of providing entertainments for our city are to be commended for their efforts
to secure the highest class of talent and the best of its class. The coming of Sousa’s band demonstrated the
fact that our people will patronize merit.
Turner Opera House was seldom filled with a larger or more appreciative audience
than the one that assembled Monday afternoon to welcome the great musician and
his corps of trained artists.
Almost every city and village within a
radius of thirty miles was represented.
Oconomowoc, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Clyman, Juneau and
towns of lesser note had fair delegations of the music loving.
Manager Wertheimer is to be
congratulated upon his latest success.
WR
03 28 PHILHARMONIC
ORCHESTRA ORGANIZED
A new orchestra
to be known as the Philharmonic orchestra with William Bethke
(*) leader, is being organize in this city and will make its first
public appearance shortly after Easter, when it will give a benefit concert and
dance. The orchestra will be composed of
seven instruments, violin, piano, cornet, clarinet, viola, trombone and traps
(**). A good orchestra is one of the
needs of a city the size of Watertown and the organization should be helped in
every way possible by liberal patronage.
A musical organization like the one contemplated can be maintained but
in no other way and the fact that it encourages local talent should not be lost
sight of. There is plenty of musical
talent in Watertown which may be encouraged and this
is one way of doing so.
(*) Wm. Bethke
was named manager of the Turner Opera House in
July of 1904.
(**) A trap set is a collection of drums
and other percussion instruments, typically cymbals, played by a single player.
08 02 THACKER’S
BAND PRIDE OF OUR CITIZENS
All Recognize Them as Musicians of
Proficiency
Free Open Air Concerts Given
Only Hope of Reward is Appreciation
That Should Be Most Liberal
There is no doubt but that our citizens
appreciate Thacker’s band, but we are inclined to the belief, not to the extent
the band deserves. All who have heard
the band, and we presume that there is not a person in the city who has not,
recognize the members as musicians of merit, entitled to consideration because
of their proficiency and disposition to favor the public with concerts without
other hope of reward than appreciation for their efforts to please and
entertain.
Wednesday evenings they give free
concerts upon Main Street to which all are invited to listen and be
entertained.
The members are all excellent young
men, among the best in the city and an honor and credit to Watertown for whom the
city should not withhold encouragement and support, which should be of a
substantial character. Mr. Thacker, the
director, has been indefatigable in his efforts to bring the band up to a high
standard of excellence and the members have been faithful in their practice as
is evidenced by their playing, which shows that they have been painstaking in
their work.
The members of the band are:
Director, Frank Thacker
Fifes, George Wenck,
Chris Oreding
Clairinets. Max Beyerlein,
E. Schultz, Fred De Wald, Art Bolzin
Cornets, Frank Kopp, E. Haak, J. Fowle, Theo. Sonneman, Herman Borchardt, W. Simon
Baritones, Aug. Model, A. Zimmerman, A.
Radtke
Trombones, James O’Brien, Earl Fix, A.
Krueger
Bass. Geo. Krueger, W. Schmidt
Drums, F. Kehr,
Joe Koester. WR
1907
02 15 IMPERIAL
MINSTRELS
The Imperial
Minstrels scored a decided hit at the Turner Opera House, the hall being
packed to its utmost capacity and hundreds were turned away and refused tickets
of admittance of even standing room.
1908
05 01 VIOLIN MADE BY CHARLES WITTE
Harry J. Stube
of the Weber-Stube orchestra is playing a violin made
by Charles Witte, a young man residing on rural route No. 3. The instrument is that perfect in construction
and tone that Mr. Stube has laid his $65.00
instrument aside and is using the one manufactured by the young farmer. Mr. Witte has given of ability as a
mechanic. His first attempt was about
two years ago, when he made a violin out of a cigar box. Later he contrived an instrument of a rather
crude shape, but nearer the perfect. The
third attempt was the modern instrument now being played by Mr. Stube. He (Witte)
spent some time in studying the rudiments of construction and last winter applied
his knowledge to a practical test and the result is that he has an instrument
that will demand a good price . . . It is said that Mr. Witte had nothing but
crude tools, but nevertheless he has accomplished a perfect piece of
workmanship. The violin was left with
Mr. Stube to place a value on the same. WL
Watertown Band in 1908. Ed
King, Lou Arndt, Harry Warner, Capt. Carl Block, L. Pimple, William Struck, Bob
Archie, Otto Kohls, Henry Moser, Adolph Krebs, James O'Brien, Ed Lemke, William
Kuester, G. Sauer, Herman Hilgendorf.
Mr. Rose, Hubert Pagel, Martin Koenig, Art Goeldner; W. Korguist, George Terwedo, Ed Prochnow, J. Butzler, & Carl Otto.
1909
01 01 JUVENILE BAND AT RICHWOOD
Ed. Boch,
William Thauer,
Irving Schoeberle, Herbert Lange, Percy Volkert, Raymond Volkert,
Winfield McCall, Francis McCall, Edward McCall, Vernon Etscheid,
Raymond Carroll, Bennie Carroll, Freddie Ihde, Arthur
Seibel, Oscar Lemmerhirt, Edw. Giese, Leo Zoellick,
Theo. Hoefs and Oscar Hoefs
have organized a juvenile band at Richwood, with Herbert Schroeder as
instructor. Shortly after
organizing, the band paraded around Richwood, headed by Peter Thauer, John Scheberle, John
Carroll, H. F. Lange and F. J. McCall. H.
F. Lange officiated as drum major and F. J. McCall as sergeant at-arms.
01 08 MORE ON BANDS IN RICHWOOD / OLD-TIME
RICHWOOD BAND
And once upon a time, in the dim and distant past, there was
another band in Richwood. It
was organized in 1869 or 1870, with Prof. John Miller of Watertown as
instructor. The band consisted
of twelve members, as follows: John
Driscol, leader; Jerry Driscol,
John Kelley, John Carroll, John McCall, William Hanley, Philip Riley, John
Kerr, Henry Bergen, Michael Quinn, James J. Solon and Stephen White. The rehearsals, once or twice a week,
were held in the old red school house at Richwood and the meetings were a
source of considerable pleasure to the members, as they greatly relieved an
otherwise monotonous life. The
first time the band attempted to march and play, at the same time, there was a
"parting of the ways." The
great feat was attempted at a picnic in Adam Schneider's grove. Each player had his eyes glued to his
little book and, with red face and bulging cheeks, he proceeded on his journey
over sticks, stones and logs. When
the "tune” was finished two of the boys were in Norton's marsh, one fell
down and the other nine were scattered through the brush, several rods
apart. The marked feature
of the selection were explosive notes caused by high stepping. Later on, however, the boys learned
how to play some and in 1872 came right to the front in the Greeley campaign
[Horace Greeley, an unsuccessful candidate for President in 1872]. About the year 1874, some of the
original members began to drop out and others took their places. The organization continued to exist
until the instruments were sold to the Sacred Heart College boys in Watertown about 1877 or
1878. Of the twelve
original members, all are living except Bill Hanley, who died many years
ago. John Discoll lives in Janesville, Jerry Driscoll resides at
Superior . . . WG
-- -- JUVENILE BAND AT WATERLOO, YOUNGEST BOY
BAND IN U.S.
c.1910 SMALL TRIO
A small trio made of up William Jones, drums, Mr. Guse, violin, and Mr. Zoellick on accordion, circa 1910.
c.1910 UNIDENTIFIED WATERTOWN BAND
An unidentified Watertown Band, circa 1910 or so. It is worth noting that most of these players drifted between bands and
later were the founding members of the Watertown Municipal Band.
c.1910 KLEINMANN’S PHILLIPS “66” RADIO ORCHESTRA
Lowell, WI
1911
09 14 MILITARY
BAND AT STATE FAIR
The Watertown Military Band furnished
the music at the state fair on Wednesday and a large delegation of Watertown
people accompanied the band, it requiring four
interurban cars to accommodate them. WG
-- -- SLOAN
ORCHESTRA MILITARY BAND
1911
1912
05 30 BAND
CONVENTION SLATED FOR WATERTOWN
The big band convention to be held at Watertown,
Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9, promises to be one of the largest gatherings
of musicians ever held in the state. At
least 30 bands from the southern part of the state will participate — some of
the best organizations in the country.
Elaborate preparations are being made for the entertainment of visitors
and a big time is promised all who attend.
Among the special features for Saturday will be a gorgeous floral
parade, which promises to be the finest spectacle ever witnessed in this
vicinity. Another feature will be a ball
game. Saturday evening there will be a
beautiful illuminated parade, followed by band concerts, dances at musician’s
headquarters, etc. On Sunday, at noon, a
grand parade of over 500 musicians will be held, followed by a monster picnic
on Tivoli Island, one of the finest picnic parks
in the state, at which there will be special band concerts by each of the
visiting bands, with plenty of other amusement features. In the evening the park will be brilliantly
illuminated and the festivities will close with band concerts and a dance in
the pavilion.
The
convention will attract thousands of visitors who can count on being royally
entertained. Watertown never does
anything by halves and everything possible is being done to make this the most
successful gathering of musicians ever held.
Arrangements
have been completed whereby the C. M. & St. P. Ry. will run special trains
from Madison and Portage to Watertown on Sunday morning, returning late in the
evening. A special train will also leave
for intermediate points Sunday evening.
Visitors from south of Watertown will be accommodated by the regular
Sunday excursion trains. For further
particulars address Herman Wertheimer, president, Watertown, Wis. WG
06 08 BAND CONVENTION PARTICIPANTS
Northwestern College Band and Military Company
BAND CONVENTION DECIDED SUCCESS
Watertown Was Visited by the Largest
Crowds in the History of the City
The band convention held in the city on
Saturday and Sunday was a marked success in every particular. It was pronounced the best and most largely
attended band convention ever held in southern Wisconsin. The weather throughout the two days was
ideal. Business places and many
residences were decorated for the occasion and Main Street presented a
beautiful spectacle in its gala attire.
The first big event of the convention was the automobile floral parade
Saturday afternoon. The bands participating
were the T.M.E.R.&L. Cos., Milwaukee; Imperial, Northwestern College and
military company, Watertown.
A feature of the parade was the
military aspect furnished by the Northwestern College military company in
uniform and carrying arms. The boys were
given generous cheers and plaudits, which was shared by their band which
accompanied them.
1914
-- -- WATERTOWN MILITARY BAND OUTING
11 19 WATERTOWN SAXOPHONE ORCHESTRA
The
popularity of this celebrated orchestra is steadily and rapidly increasing as can
readily be seen from the number of engagements they have for this fall and the
coming winter, among which is that at Doylestown, Wis., where they will play
Thanksgiving evening at the C.O.I. Ball.
Manager P. Neitzel says they have purchased
new instruments and music and that they are kept busy filling their
engagements. WG
12 24 WATERTOWN SAXOPHONE ORCHESTRA
This
popular orchestra will play at dances at the following places: Richwood, December 28, 1914; Cambridge, Dec.
29, 1914; Rio, Dec. 30, 1914; Watertown, Dec. 31, 1914; Randolph, Jan. 1,
1915. After these dates are filled,
Manager Neitzel says the orchestra will go on a three
weeks’ tour giving concerts and furnishing music for some of the high class
dances throughout the state, at the conclusion of which their services will be
given, for a medium charge, to any one desiring a high class orchestra, either
for concerts or dances. For engagements
call on P. Neitzel 1005 Fifth Street. Phone 75-x,
Watertown, Wis. WG
1915
09
30 WATERTOWN CITY BAND FOUNDED
Watertown Band Newly
Organized.
The
Watertown Military Band and the Watertown Imperial Band were merged at a
meeting of the respective organizations held on Tuesday evening. The band will hereafter be known as the
Watertown City Band, which has been incorporated, the register number being
234828. The following officers were chosen:
President
— William Hose.
Vice
President — Edward Woelffer.
Secretary
— W. Weihert.
Treasurer
— A. M. Schmeichel.
Directors — George Krueger, one year; W. Weihert, two
years; William Hose, three years. WG
12 17 WATERTOWN SAXOPHONE ORCHESTRA
A
flaring full-page poster on our desk announces a Grand Mask Ball in Turner
Hall, Watertown, tomorrow evening, Dec. 18, 1915. The ball is given under the auspices of the
Watertown Boosters’ Pleasure and Social Club.
About 50 prizes will be distributed among the winning maskers. Music by the Watertown Saxophone
Orchestra. WG
1920s PAT NEITZEL’S JAZZOPATORS of Watertown,
Banjo Alex, Paul Hoppe
<-
At Kraemer's Dance Hall
1920s HY COLEMAN’S ORCHESTRA of Milwaukee
1920s While
he was still a boy, Alton Gritzner organized a dance band and continued it for
some years as the “Casino Rhythm Kings.”
The leader played a banjo.
1921 WATERTOWN
CITY BAND
1925
02 18 BANDSTAND SUGGESTED for new Memorial Park
Ex-Mayor
Wertheimer stated that if the park plan be put into a reality that a bandstand be erected on the premises.
1930s McKINNEY'S
SERENADERS, Ray McKinney
WEBER-HOPPE ORCHESTRA
1935
05 29 PHOTO OF FIRST
WATERTOWN CORNET BAND
The music exhibit is now under way at the public
library . . . A picture of considerable interest displayed at the exhibit is
the photograph of the first Watertown cornet band. It was organized in 1870 and was composed of
the following members: Charles Nowack, William
Sommerfeld, Charles Wenck, A. Gritzner,
Otto Nowack, Alex Nowack,
William Roeder, Fred Pohlmann, A. Schuelermann,
Frank Kartak, John Weissert,
W. D. Sproesser.
Webmasters Note: Watertown Cornet Band assumed to be the same as the Watertown Philharmonic Cornet Band.
1940 WATERTOWN
CITY BAND, 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF
1946 Herb Bredow
Orchestra
1950
09 27 ANNUAL BALL OF
MUSICIANS / A Battle of Music
11 Dance Bands to participate at Turner Hall
The
annual Musicians' ball, sponsored by Local No. 469, American Federation of
Musicians, will be held at Turner hall in
Watertown Thursday night. The ball this year
promises to be the greatest in the history of the series, with 11 dance bands
participating. They will engage in a
battle of music. Among the dance bands
will be those of Herbert Bredow, Will Eske, Jimmy Hartwig, the Ritzy Royal players, Gib Untz, Bud Breitkreutz, Wally
Klinger, Shorty Schumacher, Bob Strege,
"Peanuts" Schuld and the Fats Firehouse
five. Both modern and old time music
will be featured. All of the musicians
are known far and wide in this area for their music and entertainment and they
will combine tomorrow night in putting on one of the greatest dance nights ever
seen in this or any other city of the state. The dance is open to the public
and everyone is invited. WDT
07 24 The Funsters Club
Kitchen Band honored retiring director Marilyn Moran at its annual dinner
meeting at Vandre's Riverside Inn. She was presented with a music box in the
shape of a church from the band. Mrs.
Moran recently retired from the Watertown Park and Recreation Department as
supervisor and director of the Funster Club for 18 years. Led by Mrs. Alvira
Hamann, who is replacing Mrs. Moran, the group sang songs reminiscent of their
times together. A number of stories were
told and games played. Winners of the
guessing games were Herman Kaczor, Mary Oestreicher and Marilyn Moran. WDT
11 18 Ron LeRoy,
Senior High School Band Director, Teacher of the Year WDT
1953
WATERTOWN LEGION BAND, also known as
the WATERTOWN CIVIC BAND
WALT GOODIE
FAMILY ORCHESTRA, Walter Goodlette
1956
12 14 WATERTOWN MUSICIANS
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
Clem Schoechert
was elected president of the Watertown Musicians Association Local No. 469, at
the annual meeting of the association held at the East Gate Inn last
night. Other officers named are: George
Flint, vice president for his 15th consecutive term; Mrs. Erline Torres,
corresponding secretary for her 12th consecutive term; Herbert Bredow, financial secretary and treasurer; James Hartwig, Percey Krebs and Arthur Rupnow,
trustees for three, two and one years respectively; Alton F. Gritzner, Ray Frederich and
Wallace Klinger Jr., directors for one year; Edward Schroeder,
sergeant-at-arms. WDT
c.1960 “PARADE OF BANDS”
1964 FREDDY DETTMANN BAND
03 21 Freddy Dettmann
and His Band, a local old-time orchestra group, has announced that the band is
in the stage of reorganizing and adding two trumpets. The band in the past has been playing with
three, four and five piece jobs, but in the future will be booking with
six. The personnel of the band includes
Eddie Peirick, who plays concertina. He has been playing concertina for 33 years
and is considered one of the finest in this area. Very few old time bands in Wisconsin use a
concertina in the band, therefore, the group feels that it will add something
extra to its music. With concertina, the
music can be styled in the Dutchmen swing and sway dance way as most Dutchmen
bands from Minnesota use concertina. WDT
06 04 ARNOLD LEHMANN named conductor of
Municipal Band
Prof.
Arnold O. Lehmann, director of music at Northwestern
College, has been named conductor of the Watertown
Municipal Band and will make his first public appearance in his new
capacity at Thursday night’s opening concert of the summer series at Riverside
Park. Announcement of Prof. Lehmann’s
acceptance of the offer to conduct the band was made today. He succeeds Gerald Stich of Waterloo who
resigned because he will be attending a summer school. Since coming to Watertown to take over his
duties at Northwestern College, Prof. Lehmann has developed an outstanding
musical activities program and has presented, as part of his duties, numerous
college concerts, many of them for the public.
WDT
1965 CLEM SCHOECHERT HONORED
01 21 Clem Schoechert,
who organized the local musicians’ union back in 1937, and who was elected president
at that time, and has served as president ever since, was honored at a
testimonial dinner last night at Turner Hall.
Over 200 persons attended to pay tribute to him. Mayor Robert P. White presented Schoechert with a certificate of recognition, and William Kehl, in behalf of the union, presented the guest of honor
with a plaque in recognition of the outstanding leadership he has provided the
local since its organization. WDT
04 14 WATERTOWN MUSICIANS
ASSN BALL
The silver jubilee ball of the
Watertown Musicians Association Local, 469, A.F.M., will take place at Turner
Hall on Thursday night, April 22 with over 100 musicians taking part in
providing the music and entertainment.
The bands and orchestra on the main stage will include the Musical
Stars, Merlin Braasch and his orchestra, Freddy Dettmann and his band, Will Eske
and his orchestra, Bud Hughlett and the Melodiers,
the Push and Pull Orchestra and Ole Gjerald and his
orchestra. Combos in the lower ballroom include the following: Tom Voigt and
his group, Bill, Will ‘n Roy, the Slovanians, the
Blue Notes, Jolly Cholly, Trio or More, the Three
Naturals and Scratch and his Nuclears. WDT
1966
05 18 HERB BREDOW AND HIS
ORCHESTRA
Herbert A. Bredow, 207 Riverlawn Avenue, has
closed his musical career as leader of Herb Bredow
and his Orchestra. He played his last
engagement at the Watertown Country Club Saturday night for the Watertown
Senior Dancing Club. Mr. Bredow’s career as a musician spans some 46 years. He began playing in 1920, the year he
graduated from Watertown High School.
Piano was his chief instrument, although he has also played banjo,
trumpet and sax. In 1920 he helped
launch a group called “The Night Hawk Or-Jaz-tra.” In it were Otto Vogel, Max Nehring, Charles Dott and Gust
Boehm and Mr. Bredow.
1967
12 12 WATERTOWN MUSICIANS
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
At the annual nomination and election
of officers of the Watertown Musicians held Tuesday evening at the East Gate
Inn, the following officers were elected for the year 1968. Clem Schoechert,
president; Wayne Saniter, vice president; Harry
Erickson, corresponding secretary; Erline Torres, financial secretary and
business agent; Roland Harder, trustee for three years; Tom Voigt, Will Eske, James Hartwig, directors; Alton F. Gritzner, sergeant at arms. Two trustees holding over are
Merlin Braasch and William Kehl.
1968
12 21 DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Watertown Municipal Band, directed
by Dr. Arnold O. Lehmann, will play its annual downtown Christmas concert on
Monday evening, the last nighttime shopping period for the Christmas
season. The band will be playing in the
lobby of the Merchants National Bank starting at 7 o’clock. A one hour program
has been arranged. There will be loud
speakers to carry the music to the streets.
This concert will be an actual performance by the band and will not be
presented in taped form as has been done on some past occasions.
1990
07 01 LEBANON BAND 100th
ANNIVERSARY
LEBANON — The Lebanon Band, this year
celebrating 100 years of dedication to music and fellowship, is one of the biggest bands from one of the smallest
towns in the United States. The
band, with close to 50 members, will be performing in Watertown’s
Fourth of July Parade this year as a part of its extensive centennial year
schedule. As the band performs this
summer, parade-goers from all over Wisconsin will be treated to a proud and
historic group in action. The band’s
founders were music-loving German immigrants. In 1885, Henry F. Seeger, a
German born parochial school teacher, came to Immanuel Lutheran Church in
Lebanon to serve as a teacher, organist, choir director, and instructor of
instrumental music for which he received 10 cents per lesson. After five years his teaching had produced
enough instrumentalists to form a band in Lebanon in 1890. WDT
Cross References:
German Serenaders 1855, Early Band
Watertown Municipal Band [same as
Watertown City Band]
Thacker's Concert Band. 1905, Homecoming Day
Thacker's Band, 1906, Labor Day celebration
Band Shell, Riverside Park, dedicated
1954
Edwin Woelffer, 1890-1944. Edwin Woelffer, 54, Band
Leader, Dies
06/01/1944 – E. J. Woelffer, widely known band leader, died here today at his
home, 912 South Fourth street. He had
been in ill health for a long time and passed away at 6 o’clock this morning.
Mr. Woelffer
was born in Waterloo on Jan 31, 1890, a son of Mrs. Robert Woelffer
and the late Robert Woelffer. He came to Watertown as a boy when his
parents moved here and his father engaged in the tavern business. His father was a widely known man in this
community for many years.
Mr. Woelffer
was married on Oct. 1, 1912 to Miss Mabel Riebe. She survives, as do a daughter and a son,
Mrs. Donald Snyder and John H. Woelffer, both of this
city. His mother also resides here as do
a sister, Mrs. Robert Hills, and a brother, George Woelffer. Two other brothers preceded him in
death. There are two grandchildren.
Mr. Woelffer
was associated with the Watertown Memorial Co. He was a member of First Methodist church,
Lincoln Lodge No.20, Knight of Pythias, the Plattdeutscher
Verein and the Watertown Turner society.
Over the period of
years in which Mr.Woelffer was a band leader he had
conducted the Watertown City band and the old 105th Cavalry band with which he
was associated many years. He also led
the band of Branch 120, Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, the K. of P. band and
more recently had been the leader of the Lebanon band.
As a band leader he was
a hard worker and a thorough musician, a man with whom players liked to
work. He inspired his musicians to their
best efforts and was looked upon as a competent leader. In his business affairs Mr. Woelffer was a man who stood for fair dealing and
honesty. He had the confidence of his
associates and the people with whom he dealt.
He was kind and considerate of others.
To his family he leaves a heritage which reflects credit upon him as a
man and a citizen of the community where his friends were legion.
The funeral will take
place Monday afternoon. There will be a
service at First Methodist church at 2 o’clock. The Rev. William B. Petherick,
who has recently been assigned to Marinette, will conduct the services and
burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
The Hafemeister
funeral home is in charge of the arrangements.
It was not known definitely today whether the funeral will be from the
funeral home or from the residence and this will be announced tomorrow,
together with the period during which friends may call to pay their
respects. In any event, the casket is
not to be opened at the church but friends will be given an opportunity to call
at either the funeral home or the residence Sunday afternoon and evening and
Monday up to the time of the funeral, as soon as it is decided from which place
the last rites will be conducted.
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin