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William A. Beurhaus

1949 - 1936

 

Beurhaus-Gloger Shirtwaist Factory

 

200 E Main

1887

WILLIAM A. BEURHAUS STORE, street scene

 

 

1903

09 02

Click to enlarge

Harry A. Beurhaus and Gustav E. Gloger have purchased the general merchandise stock of William A. Beurhaus at 200 Main Street and have already taken charge of the business. 

 

This is one of the best stands in the city, and Mr. Beurhaus has always enjoyed an excellent trade there. 

 

His successors are two of Watertown's best-known young businessmen, and their well known honorable manner of dealing with the trading public bespeaks for them success in their business. 

 

Just now they are offering great bargains to reduce their present stock, and in a short time they will have a large stock of all the latest in fall goods.  Success to the new firm.

 

1906

12 30       6,000 POUNDS OF STUFFED GEESE

Wednesday and yesterday, W. A. Beurhaus bought over 6,000 pounds of stuffed geese, one farmer delivering a load yesterday that weighed 2,684 pounds for which he received a fat check, which convinced him that fat geese — especially when the geese averaged over 22 pounds each — are a good thing about Christmas time.  Several of the geese received yesterday by Mr. Beurhaus weighed 30 pounds, and one turned the scales at 32 pounds.  Mr. Beurhaus is packing the geese purchased for consignment to parties in New York, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, New Orleans and San Francisco.  Watertown, as has already been noted in the Leader, is the headquarters for stuffed geese which are regarded as a delicacy by many people who, being possessed of wealth, can afford the luxury — for a thirty-pound goose costs a sum of money, more than a poor man can afford to pay.       Watertown Leader, 12 30 1906

 

1911

09 28       COZY WARM COATS

A picture containing text, furniture, rug

Description automatically generated  

 

1938

-- --           60TH BIRTHDAY

William A. Beurhaus very hospitably entertained the directors and officers of the Merchants National Bank and representatives of the Wisconsin National Bank and Bank of Watertown last Monday evening at his home in honor of his birthday anniversary.  A pleasing feature of the evening's entertainment was the surprise given the gentlemen present when at about 10 o'clock their wives entered in a body to join in the festivities.  Mrs. Beurhaus had arranged this feature of Mr. Beurhaus' anniversary celebration unknown to him.  All present had a thorough good time, Mr. Bearhaus and his amiable wife proving most excellent entertainers.  It was Mr. Beurhaus' 60th birthday anniversary.     WG

 

1962

01 14       HARRY A. BEURHAUS DIES AT 83

Harry A. Beurhaus, 83, 501 South Fifth Street, died at St. Mary’s Hospital Sunday night.  He had been ill a long time.

 

Long a Watertown business man and member of an old family here, Mr. Beurhaus was also a veteran of many a city council battle in the era that preceded the change to city managership.

 

He represented the old eighth ward which for many years, along with the old ninth, was known as “the silk stocking ward.”

 

Mr. Beurhaus was a fighter for civic progress and ran into stiff opposition at times from council colleagues, but once he decided he was right he kept fighting and went down in defeat on many occasions rather than surrender his principles.

 

His father before him had been an alderman also and was for years president of the old city council.

 

Played Football

 

During his student days at St. John’s Military Academy at Delafield he played football on the academy team, playing the position of halfback.  He was then known as “Spike” and also achieved recognition as a runner.  Years later, in 1955, when old friends and classmates got together to honor Mr. Beurhaus at a dinner, many recalled that he was one of the best runners in southeastern Wisconsin.  He won many fast races as a young man.

 

After completing his education he went to New York and then, upon his return to Watertown, joined his father in a dry goods store he operated at Main and North Second Streets, now part of the Elliott’s Ladies Shop.

 

In 1913 Mr. Beurhaus established the Wear Well shirt waist manufacturing plant in the city.  He engaged in that business until 1942 when he sold the business to Rhea of Milwaukee which also operated the Glen Manufacturing Co.  [Glen's Manufacturing was located above Elliott’s]  He remained as manager here for Glenn for many years, prior to his retirement.

 

Col. Sproesser Tribute

 

One of the speakers at the testimonial dinner, the late Col. J. W. Sproesser, said at the time that, “Through the years Mr. Beurhaus has been a real asset to the life of this community and I would very much dread to think what Watertown would be like if we did not have men like Harry A. Beurhaus around.”

 

The Beurhaus acquaintanceships extended over a wide area in and around Watertown.  He was intimately acquainted with most of the old Watertown families and its business leaders while his friendships extended to the man in the street.  A sense of humor and a wry wit endeared him to people and made him welcome wherever he went.

 

His last years were saddened by his wife’s illness and his own incapacities as he was forced to give up his daily activities in the city and community but he maintained a lively interest in things as long as he was able to be up and around.

 

Native of City

 

Mr. Beurhaus was born in Watertown on Sept. 27, 1878, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William A. Beurhaus.  He was married to the former Mayme Blair on July 24, 1906.  She survives as do a daughter, Mrs. Norman Todd, Milwaukee; a granddaughter, Mrs. B. E. Meulemans and two great-grandchildren, Marilyn and James Scott Meulemans, all of Cincinnati.  There is one sister, Mrs. Louis Wagner of Watertown and one niece, Mrs. Roland Gibson, also of Watertown.

 

Mr. Beurhaus was a life member of Watertown Lodge No. 666, B.P.O.E.  He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Tripoli Shrine, Milwaukee.  He was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and served for many years as a vestryman. . . .

 

 

Oak Hill Cemetery burials:

Beurhaus, Henry A., b. Sep 27, 1878, d. Jan 14, 1962

Beurhaus, William A., b. Feb 15, 1849, d. Jan 29, 1936

 

 

Cross-References:

No 1:  (no link) 1895 Picture of Beurhaus-Gloger Shirtwaist Factory on corner of Main and Second.  Images of America - Watertown, Wisconsin: 1836-1936, p 79.

No 2:  Beurhaus and Gloger, on 1941 Watertown Church Census listing

No 3:  Watertown Daily Times column on topic [WHS_005_235].  Many of the orders were sent to William Beurhaus, 200 Main St., who apparently handled the shipping and marketing for farmers.

 

 

 

 

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