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John J. Brusenbach, Jr

 

1901

12 28       NO SALARY FOR THE MAYOR

It too often appears that public servants paid by the people mistake their place and become convinced that they and not the people are supreme.  With some of them a jolt is only necessary, while others wait until their exit from office is more precipitous.  Public servants are well paid as a rule and should at all times strive to do their duty, but many of them seem to think that all that is requested of them is to draw their salary.  Mayor Brusenbach gets no salary and he can hardly be expected to watch his appointees, neither can the governor nor the president of the United States, but still it might do no harm to watch them.

 

1903

03 07       MAYOR’S SALOON BECOMES CHARGED

LIVE WIRE.  A small chip of wood and a live electric light wire coming in contact Wednesday evening caused the shutting down of the east side electric lights for a short time about 8 o’clock.  A small boy noticed a blaze over the door of Mayor Brusenbach’s saloon on Main Street and notified the proprietor who in turn notified the company.  The electric current was turned off later on.  When the repairer arrived it was readily seen what the matter was but thinking that perhaps the iron roof or cornice might have become charged with the current it was decided to turn off the lights.  When that was done investigation showed that a small piece of wood, used for decoration purposes was underneath the wire and the wind in swaying the latter had rubbed off the insulation and the live wire coming in contact set the wood on fire.  There was no damage to the building.   WR

 

1908

1908, Democratic Bryan and Kern club

1908, Homecoming Day Committee

1908, Represents Plattdeutscher Verein

 

1909

1909, 415 E Main, saloon

1909, Homecoming celebration, officer

1909, Retail Liquor Dealer's Convention

 

1910

01 21       CANDIDATE FOR TREASURER

On Monday last Ex-Mayor John J. Brusenbach gave it to the newspapermen of Watertown that he would be a candidate for city treasure at the coming municipal campaign, and would make an aggressive campaign for the office.  Mr. Bruseubach filled the office of mayor for three years and also represented his ward in the city council for a number of terms.  He made a most excellent mayor and is considered one of the very best the city has ever had; he also represented his ward in the office of alderman with ability and credit to all concerned.  It is claimed by his friends that he having served so often and faithfully in honorary positions in our city, without pay, that it is his turn to be elected to a salaried office.  Mr. Brusenbach is one of the old reliable, staunch democrats of Watertown, and if elected to the office of city treasurer, the city's interests will be well looked after.

 

02 04       TO THE VOTERS OF THE CITY OF WATERTOWN

The undersigned hereby wishes to announce himself as a candidate for the office of city treasurer at the coming spring election, and if elected he promises to fulfill the duties of the office to the entire satisfaction of the people.  He wishes to announce further, that in the event of his election, he will maintain regular daily office hours at the treasurer's office in the city hall.

 

Respectfully, John J. Brusenbach

 

10 28       John J. Brusenbach, president of the A. J. Schmitz democratic club of Watertown.   WG

 

1911

02 09       DEATH OF JOHN J. BRUSENBACH

On Monday morning death claimed one of Watertown's most excellent citizens in the person of ex-Mayor John J. Brusenbach.

 

Mr. Brusenbach has been in poor health for over two years, and about one year ago he was operated on for gallstones. After this operation it was thought he would not be troubled again with gallstones, but a short time since it was found necessary for him to undergo a second operation from which he was recovering when pneumonia set in and terminated in death.

 

The announcement of Mr. Brusenbach's death was a great shock to all our people, for but very few knew that he was dangerously ill.  Mr. Brusenbach was one of Watertown's best citizens and those who knew him best, knew him to be a strictly honest man and a man who never knowingly did an unkind act or a dishonest deed.  It has been the pleasure of the editor of The Gazette to have known him well for many years, especially in a political way, and in all our dealings with men in politics we have found John J. Brusenbach the squarest and most reliable of them all.  As he was in politics, so he was in his social and business life

 

He was a great student, and for one who had not the benefits of an early education, he succeeded admirably in becoming self-educated.  He was a great reader and student and at the time of his death was one of our best read citizens.

 

Deceased was born at Landskron, Austria, November 25, 1864, and when two years old located with his parents in this section of the state, and has made this city his home ever since.  September 22, 1891, he was married to Mary Motl of the town of Hustisford, who died three years ago last October.

 

He is survived by six children, Henry, Joseph Leo, Cecilia, Agnes and Mary of this city, and two brothers, Henry of Emmet, and Frank of Watertown, also two sisters, Mrs. John Welsh of Waukegan, and Mrs. August Schultheis of Royalton, Minn.

 

He served our people faithfully and well in many city positions and that too without pay or emoluments of any kind.  He was alderman of the First ward in 1893, 1898, 1899 and 1900, and from April, 1901, till April 1, 1904, he served as mayor.  For many years he has been secretary of the Plattdentscher verein, and also secretary of St Henry's Mutual Benefit society and of the Watertown Liederkranz

 

On Monday the flags were placed at half mast over the city hall and remained so till after the funeral on Thursday. Thursday morning his funeral took place from St. Henry's Catholic church and was very largely attended.  The interment was in St. Henry's cemetery.

 

03 02       RESOLUTIONS OF CONDOLENCE

The following resolutions were adopted at a regular meeting of Watertown Central Labor Union, held Friday evening, February 24, 1911:

 

Whereas, It has pleased Divine Providence to remove from our midst one of our most esteemed citizens, John J. Brusenbach; and

 

Whereas, Mr. John J. Brusenbach in life, was an honest, earnest and conscientious worker for the welfare of our city, and withal a most ardent sympathizer of organized labor; and

 

Whereas, The Watertown Central Labor Union and organized labor has at all times received the utmost consideration and courtesy at his hands; be it therefore,

 

Resolved, That the Watertown Central Labor Union and all organized labor of this city deeply deplore his demise, and that we heartily extend to the bereaved family our sympathy and be it farther

 

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon our records, that a copy thereof be sent to the grief stricken family, and also that a copy be sent to the Daily Times for publication.

 

Theo. Zick, President,

Emil Doerr, Secretary.      WG

 

John Brusenbach Sr, 1833-1910

Watertown Gazette, 05 06 1910

 

On Wednesday, May 4, 1910, John Brusenbach, father of ex-Mayor John J. Brusenbach, died at the home of his son Henry in route 1.  The family had just finished eating dinner when Mr. Brusenbach leaned back in his chair and expired.  The cause of his death was heart disease.  Deceased was born at Altensdorf, Austria, April 12, 1833, and came with his wife to America in 1866 and settled on a farm near this city in the town of Emmet, on which he resided till about six years ago when he went to reside with his son Henry.  Three sons and two daughters survive him, being John J. and Frank of this city; Henry of the town of Emmet; Mrs. John Welsh of Waukegan, Ills.; and Mrs. August Schulteis of Royalton, Minn.  His funeral will take place Saturday morning at 10 o’clock from St. Henry’s Catholic Church.  Mr. Brusenbach was one of the best known and most highly esteemed residents in this section of the state and his death is sincerely mourned as that of a good and honored citizen.

 

1917

                Mayor, Watertown library citation

 

 

 

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