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                 David’s website   

 

Charles David's Sons

306 Madison Street

Founded 1897

 

Charles David, Sr

1873 - 1958

 

Four Generations of Community Service

 

 

1895

Quality lasts a long time—which is why Charles David's Sons, Inc. has been in business since 1895.  For over a century generations of local families have depended on this mainstay business in the heart of downtown Watertown, Wisconsin. 

 

The store was originally established as a paint store and painting contractor by Charles David, grandfather of present owner John David.  Born in Watertown, John worked in his father’s store as a teenager before leaving to attend Indiana University.  He taught U.S. history at Watertown High School for several years before joining the family business in 1972.  He also served as mayor of Watertown from 2001-2007.

 

c.1905

 

  

 

1910

Dec          CHARLES DAVID, PAINTER & DECORATOR

                        Wall Paper, Window Shades, Paints, Glass and Oils

 

 

c.1910

  

 

c.1912

CHARLES DAVID, 306 E. Madison

   

 

c.1920

JOHN DANNER, FRIEND OF CHARLES DAVID

        Was a painter and sign artist

 

1925

04 16       CHARLES DAVID SIGNAGE, AT TURNER HALL

   

 

1931

08 25       DAVID'S BECAME AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR MAUTZ

   

 

2001 Cross reference note:  Mautz Paint Company

CLEVELAND - The Sherwin-Williams Co. announced the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Mautz Paint Co., a regional manufacturer of architectural paints based in Madison, WI.  Mautz Paint, founded in 1922, is a well-known manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of paint and paint-related products, and operates 33 stores in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana.  The stores sell architectural coatings under the Mautz brand name to professional and do-it-yourself customers. Sherwin-Williams said the Mautz stores will continue to operate under the Mautz name and sell Mautz branded products.

 

2022 Cross reference note:  Mautz Paint Company

The 900 block of East Washington Avenue in Madison was the site of the Mautz Paint Company dating back to 1922.  Mautz Paint started as a local paint store on upper State Street.  The company grew to a large regional paint supplier and was owned by a pioneering Madison family.

 

Mautz was a vibrant company that would still be here today if not for a calamity in the early 2000s.  A lawsuit from the city of Milwaukee alleging lead paint used in many older buildings caused harm and singled Mautz out as the bad guy.  All paint prior to the 1960s had lead additive.  Mautz was stunned.  They could not absorb the legal fees of extensive litigation and sold their business to Sherwin Williams in 2001.

 

1937

01 04       AUTO PAINT SHOP DESTROYED BY FIRE

A disastrous fire the first of the week at Watertown destroyed the auto paint shop of Chas. David Sons, on Madison Street, entailing a loss of $4000 to $5000.  Paul David, one of the members of the firm, is a son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Tuschen, of North Bristol.

 

The blaze, which started in the shop, was discovered shortly after 1 o'clock, and an alarm was turned in.  The entire fire department force was called out and battled the blaze for four and a half hours.  Several automobiles, huge quantities of oils and paints were destroyed, the oils adding to the fierceness of the blaze.  Several firemen were overcome by the fumes.  They revived when taken out. of doors.  Firemen were able to keep the blaze within the confines of thee shop proper, preventing its spread to the store at the front of the -establishment and from nearly buildings.

 

c.1945

-- --           NIMM, GIESE & JUDERJAHN

  

Francis Nimm, glass worker; Joe Giese, helper; Peter Juderjahn, painter. 

Francis Nimm (1920–2014) worked at Charles David’s Sons paint store for over 60 years. 

 

1950

    Curved windshields in stock

 

c.1955

  

 

1958

11 17       CHARLES DAVID, SR, 1873-1958

Charles David, Sr., 85, founder of the Charles David's Sons paint and decorating store at 306 Madison Street, died at St. Mary's Hospital on November 17, 1958, after a brief illness.

 

Mr. David, who was one of the city's most widely known businessmen, founded the store 61 years ago and until recent years was active in its operation.  He was born in Watertown on October 22, 1873, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph David.  He married Miss Anna Kalina in St. Henry's Catholic Church in 1897.  She preceded him in death in 1946.

 

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Harry Manning, route 2, Juneau; three sons, Alvin, Milwaukee, and Charles and Paul David who now operate the family business in Watertown.  There are 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  There is one sister, Mrs. Joseph Nimm, Route 6.

 

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mrs. Leona Manning, and a sister, Miss Mary David.  Mr. David was a member of St. Henry's Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society and the Plattdeutscher Verein.

 

As a business man Mr. David followed a high code of ethics.  He was a man of Christian principles and high ideals.  Despite his advancing years he continued to take an interest in the business and visited the store frequently.  He had many friends throughout the area.  He had numerous hobbies, among them nature and a love for the great outdoors.

 

The funeral will take place from the Boyle Funeral Home with services in St. Henry's Church, the Very Rev. A. J. Herrmann officiating.  Interment in St. Henry's Cemetery.

 

The parish and Ushers Society rosary will be said at the funeral home.  The Holy Name Society will join in the rosary Wednesday evening and will hold its regular meeting after that.   WDT

 

c.1960

  

 

1963

MAUTZ RUBBER SATIN

     Charles Jr. and Paul David

 

1964

  

 

1984

DOLLY WETZEL

   

 

c.1984

NORA DAVID

  

 

1987

JOHN DAVID

  

 

1988

JERRY & JOHN DAVID, OZZIE BEAL

   

 

ROGER BLOCK

 

FRANCIS NIMM & DON ZUBKE

        Setting windshield

 

1991

-- --           DEMOLITION OF 310 E. MADISON

   

 

1997

04 10       GRAND OPENING OF REMODELED STORE

Charles David's Sons Inc. will celebrate the grand opening of its remodeled facilities from Saturday, April 19, through Saturday, April 26.  Specials will be offered and door prizes will be given.  The business, located at 306 E. Madison St. for over 100 years, has been completely remodeled and enlarged to better serve its customers.  Convenient parking facilities have also been added.   WDT

 

2006

11 21       TOP ART GALLERY & CUSTOM FRAME SHOP

Charles David's Sons Inc has been named one of the top 100 art gallery and custom frame shop companies in the country by Decor Magazine.

 

Every year Decor, a major art and framing trade publication, hosts its Top 100 Art and Framing Retailers Award contest, which is sponsored by Tru Vue, the leading supplier of picture framing glass products. The contest is designed to recognize the most successful retailers in the art and framing industry.

 

This marks the first time Charles David's Sons received this honor, said Nora David, an employee with the company.  Besides David, Yvonne Werth and Jennifer Wolfe are the other employees who work in the framing department for Charles David's Sons. David has been a nationally certified picture framer for about 10 years.    WDT

 

2013

12 11       PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

  

Created by James McKeever, a student at Maranatha Baptist Bible College.

 

2023

04 01       JOHN DAVID<> 1948-2023

A person in a suit

Description automatically generated with low confidence 

John P. David, 75, a lifelong resident of Watertown passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at home surrounded by his loving family.  John was born on January 8, 1948, the son of Paul and Cecile (Tuschen). He married his college sweetheart, Nora Beth Moritz, on July 3, 1969.       Link to obit 

 

 

     Image Portfolio 

 

 

 

 

Cross References:

Irene Michelt [1910-2003] had been employed as a bookkeeper at Charles David's Sons.

 

 

 

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History of Watertown, Wisconsin

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