website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown,
Wisconsin
Merchant’s Bank
Merchant’s National Bank
Bank One
Former
site of Exchange Hotel
1916 note: Built by Ferdinand Behlke, General Contractor
This building
is the location of the Merchants National Bank. The Merchants Bank was founded
in 1892 with Joseph Terbrueggen as its first
president. The building here was built for the bank and in 1905 the bank
reportedly became the first in the community to establish a savings department.
In 1905, as well, an annex at the rear of the building was built and the
facility was enlarged and remodeled in 1937. The Merchants National Bank still
operates today at new quarters in the downtown. It is part of the Marine chain
of banks in Wisconsin.
This
building has some historical interest as the home of one of the "big
three" banks in Watertown, the Merchants National Bank. The building could
be individually significant for the development of commercial financial institutions
in the community.
Originally
two 1890s buildings, both featuring towers on the facade, the historic
Merchants National Bank (100 east Main) and the Clara Weiss Millinery Store
(102 East Main). A concrete block and screen wall unites the front building to
a cream brick two-story building located at the rear of the bank building, now
the west section of the present structure. The east section, the former
millinery shop, has a one-story addition at the rear.
01 04 A
NEW BANK IN WATERTOWN
(not same as Merchants National Bank)
Last
Monday, Messrs Nehrig &
Frentz, visited the city for the purpose of making arrangements
for starting a new moneyed institution here, to be known as the “Merchants’
Bank.” We learn that for the present,
the bank will transact business in the rooms previously occupied by the
"Bank of Watertown." Mr. Nehrig is now president of "Dodge County Bank,"
located at Beaver Dam, and will remain at that village in charge of that
institution. Mr. Frentz
will come here and assume the management of the new bank soon to be put in
operation. Both these gentlemen are
known as shrewd and careful businessmen, and we have every reason to believe
their course here will give general satisfaction . . . WD
Merchants
National Bank / WHS_001_PC_084
___ 1892 __________________
FOUNDING OF MERCHANTS NATIONAL
In
1892 Joseph Terbrueggen
was one of the incorporators the Merchants
National Bank and was its first president, and at the time of his death was
chairman of the board of directors of the bank.
Daniel H. Kusel was one of the founders of the Merchants
National Bank, and was its first cashier, and at the time of his death was vice
president of that bank.
06 24 STONE FOR NEW BANK
That
beautiful cut stone in the new bank building is from the celebrated quarry at
Lemont, Ills, and was dressed and placed in position by Albert Krueger. It is a neat piece of work and shows off to
great advantsge, reflecting much credit to Mr. Krueger's skill. WG
___ 1898 __________________
MAX ROHR, SR. JOINS BANK
Mr.
Rohr (1875 – 1952) was associated with the Merchants National bank since
1898. In 1930 he became president,
following the death of Charles E. Frey.
He held that office until his retirement on July 26, 1951. He retained the position of chairman of the
board and one of the vice presidencies.
He was reelected to both positions at the last annual meeting of the
bank held Jan. 8.
Under
his presidency the bank acquired a building east of the original location and
the institution was greatly enlarged and improved.
On
June 12, 1901 he married Miss Jennie Sproesser.
She survives, as do a son, Max Rohr, Jr.
Mr.
Rohr was a member of the Fifty Year club of the Wisconsin Bankers association
and was honored in Milwaukee with a membership some years ago.
Mr.
Rohr was a warm, personal friend of a great many people in the community where
he had long enjoyed the high regard, confidence and goodwill of his fellow
townsmen. His life was such that he had
proven himself worthy of such respect.
As a banker and adviser he had few equals here.
Friend
of Davies
He was
a close friend of Joseph E. Davies, Watertown-born former ambassador to Russia
and when Mr. Davies and his daughter, Mrs. Burdette W. Fitch of Washington, D.
C., visited Watertown last Nov. 18 they were guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Rohr. The two men had begun their
friendship during their school days and it had lasted throughout the
years. They had kept up a correspondence
for many years and Mr. Rohr had at various times handled local financial
business for Mr. Davies.
At the
time of his November visit Mr. Davies announced plans for a high school
scholarship at the University of Wisconsin and had chosen Mr. Rohr as one of
the men who were to administer it. The
other two are Attorney William H. Woodard and John D. Clifford. Roger Holtz, superintendent of schools, also
is to work with the committee m the matter.
Was
Music Lover
Mr.
Rohr was for many years a member of the old Elks quartette which ranked as one
of the finest male singing groups ever organized here. Other members were William Sproesser, Edward
L. Schempf and Dr. O. E. Meyer. The
quartette sang at all Elks initiations and for many special ceremonies. The voices of the four men who were warm
personal friends blended beautifully.
Mr. Rohr had also belonged to the Watertown Male chorus which for many
years was directed by William Sproesser.
Mr. Rohr always took a great interest in music and was at all times
ready to promote and encourage good music in the community.
Helped
Develop Bank
Thoroughness
characterized Mr. Rohr’s life. He was
thorough in everything he did and he played a large part in developing the
Merchants National bank into one of the foremost financial institutions in this
area.
He was
always happiest when he was active and though he delegated more and more of his
responsibilities to others in the bank, he enjoyed being there and having a
part in its operation and meeting the patrons and friends and associates who
dropped in. No matter how busy he was he
was always glad to spare a few moments for friends and one could get ready
access to him at any time. In the life
of the community there have been few men as warm hearted as Mr. Rohr and he
will be missed by his associates and by all who knew him.
Cross Reference:
___ 1902 __________________
01 17 ADDING MACHINE
INSTALLED
At a cost of $375 a mechanical device is placed in the Merchants' Bank
that accomplishes wonders in the way of adding figures. It registers, prints and adds figures from 1
cent to $9,999,999.99. It does perfect
work in adding being always accurate, and saves much mental work for the bank
employees. It is a wonderful little
machine, and well worth the inspection of any one. WG
___ 1904 __________________
07 08 BANKING QUARTERS
REMODELED / New Furniture
The business of the Merchants’ bank for several weeks past has been done
in the rear part of the bank building while the regular banking quarters in the
front part of the building were being remodeled and fitted out with new
furniture. The improvements are now
complete, however, and business is being carried on in the newly arranged
quarters. The banking house furniture is
very fine, and it is arranged in a manner that conduces to the convenience of
both patrons and the bank officers and employees. The safety deposit box department is very
convenient to those who hold boxes at the bank and will prove very
popular. The bank building has a tile
floor, an ornamental metal ceiling, and the sidewalls are covered with
green-colored burlap, the effect produced being very pretty. The president’s and board of directors’ rooms
are very conveniently arranged and neatly furnished. The Merchants’ bank is now one of the
best-equipped in the state, and it is a credit to the business interests of
Watertown. The enterprise shown in the
new order of things at this popular banking institution, certainly deserves
commendation. WG
___ 1905 __________________
01 26 SAVINGS PASS BOOKS
Our savings pass books are becoming very popular. We issue these books for deposits as low as a
dollar and up to $1000. Interest begins
on the first of the month following date of deposit, but when a deposit is made
during the first five days of any month, interest begins on the first of that
same month. We credit and compound interest
twice a year, on June first and December first, on all sums of one dollar and
over that have been on deposit for one month or more immediately
preceding. If the depositor can not call
on these dates, his interest will be attended to just the same as though he
were present. Start your account
now. Merchants Bank.
05 10 BURGLAR ALARM
The Merchants Bank is about to install a system of burglar alarms which
is by far the most modern and perfect of its kind that has as yet been
invented.
The
bank vault is to be lined completely with a double steel lining which covers
every inch of the vault - floor, walls, ceilings, vestibule and doors. Inside
of the vault is an electric cabinet connected containing the storage batteries,
switches, timers, etc., that control the system automatically.
On the
Should
burglars so much as touch the combination on the vault door, attempt to drill
through the vault door or the vault at any point it would instantly set the
entire system of gongs to ringing. When
they once begin to ring it is impossible to stop them except from the inside of
the vault. There are no wires whatever
outside the vault that a burglar could get at.
Another
very important feature is an arrangement whereby it makes it impossible for
bank employees to forget to lock the vault doors at night. At
07 26 APARTMENT BLDG IN REAR OF BLDG
Friday
work was begun in clearing the ground at the rear of the Merchants Bank for the
new apartment building which is to be erected.
It will face on First street, be two stories in height and modern in
every particular. WR
___ 1909 __________________
01 22 OFFICERS CHOSEN
At the regular monthly
meeting of the directors of the Merchants National Bank held Thursday of last
week the following officers were chosen for the current year:
President—W. D.
Sproesser
Vice President—Joseph
Terbrueggen
Vice President—D. H.
Kusel
Cashier—Charles E. Frey
Assistant Cashier—Max
Rohr
Judges of election—John G.
Conway, U. Habhegger, Fred Kusel
Examining
Committee—John Habhegger, W. A. Beurhaus, F. Schmutzler, Fred Kusel, L. H.
Cordes. WG
___ 1910 __________________
11 18 PASSED THE MILLION DOLLAR MARK
The reports of the Bank
of Watertown and Merchants' National Bank of Watertown show that in capital,
surplus and deposits those two banks have now passed the million dollar mark,
which speaks well for the business interests of Watertown. The Wisconsin National Bank's deposits,
capital and surplus are over $610,000, and judging from its last report, that
old and popular banking institution is also on a solid financial basis. WG
___ 1911 __________________
04 06 CLARA WEISS SPRING MILLINERY SHOWING
09 14 IMPROVEMENTS
Several
improvements are being made in the interior arrangement of the Merchants
National Bank to accommodate its increasing business. The vault has been greatly enlarged and the
time lock safe is now located in the interior of the vault. The latter is connected with the counting
room by a new steel double combination door, weighing four tons. A room in the rear of the vault, with a street
entrance, is now at the service of the bank patrons who have boxes at the
bank. Into this room they may take their
safety deposit boxes and look over their papers at their pleasure. Several other changes are being made which
will add to the convenience and safety of the banks’ business. WG
___ c.1910 __________________
Night view PC_050
___ 1915 __________________
--- INTERURBAN BRINGS
IN THE NEWS
___ c.1918 __________________
“KEEP TO THE RIGHT” INTERURBAN SIGNAGE
___ 1919 __________________
“Tomorrow – the only thing in the world
that never arrives”
___ 1929 __________________
___ 1944 __________________
___ 1957 __________________
--- DIRECTORS
06 26 ARTHUR A. ULLRICH, a teller at the Merchants National Bank, has retired. He completed his long service with the bank
with the close of business last Friday night.
His home is at
___ 1958 __________________
01 17 J. W. SPROESSER
Col. J. W. Sproesser who has been serving as
president of the Merchants National Bank last night was elected chairman of the
board and is being replaced as president by Arthur W. Hilgendorf who has been a
vice president. Mr. Hilgendorf was
elected to the presidency by the board of directors following the annual
meeting of the bank’s stockholders. Dr.
L. H. Nowack and H.A. Beurhaus were elected vice presidents, C. A. Wallman was
elected cashier and S. C. Northrop was elected assistant cashier. WDT
___ 1960 __________________
01 12 OFFICERS CHOSEN
The Merchants National
Bank last night held its annual election of officers. There were no changes in either the officers
or board of directors. Officers
re-elected are: A. W. Hilgendorf, president; Dr. L. H. Nowack and H. A.
Beurhaus, vice presidents; C. A. Wallman, cashier. The board of directors re-elected consists of:
H. A. Beurhaus, Attorney H. M. Dakin, A. W. Hilgendorf, S. C. Northrop, Dr. L.
H. Nowack, Dr. O. H. Moen and C. A. Wallman. WDT
03 25 DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOW PLANNED
The directors of the Merchants National Bank of Watertown announced that
they have purchased suitable premises to enlarge their banking facilities to
better serve their customers. Today's
pattern of steadily rising costs and overcrowded lobbies make it imperative
that a drive-in window will expedite transactions and encourage maximum use of
the window during banking hours. A
building engineer has been retained to draft and prepare plans to improve these
premises for drive-in banking services and additional space for other banking
needs.
___ 1961 __________________
03
17 PLANNED
EXPANSION
City Attorney James A.
Fitzpatrick who has been conferring with architects and representatives of the
Merchants National Bank relative to plans for the bank's expansion by utilizing
the property to the north of the banks' present building at Main and North
First Streets, expects to make a report to members of the city council shortly
regarding the expansion project. Last
year the bank purchased the Minning property which houses the Minning Liquor
Co. business in North First Street. This
property includes the area which runs to the Elks Club building, including the
three-car garage on the premises. The
Minning Liquor Co. is to move to a new building and is to vacate its present
quarters by July 1 when the bank expects to begin the remodeling improvements
and expansion program. WDT
03 25 DRIVE THROUGH TO BE CONSTRUCTED
Minning Liquor Store demolition
07 14 BANK EXPANSION UNDERWAY
Mining
Liquor demolition
07 14 1961: BANK EXPANSION UNDERWAY — The Merchants
National Bank, corner of North First and Main Streets, in downtown Watertown,
is getting a new look and it is also being expanded to include a drive-in
banking service. The top picture is an
architect’s sketch of the transformation which is underway, with the Maas Bros. Construction Co. of Watertown, in charge
of the general contract. The bottom
picture shows the drive-in unit, with a part of the Elks Club building at the
extreme left. The alleyway, which now
leads from North First to North Second Streets is a public alley and will be
maintained. There will be a tunnelway
under the alley. The former Minning
Liquor Co. building in North First Street, which the bank acquired last year,
is being demolished and that area will be occupied by the new drive-in
unit. The lower portion of the bank will
include lannon stone and vertical panels will be of colored ceramic tile. The upper portion, beginning ten feet above
the sidewalk to the top, will be a solar screen, projecting about 18 inches
away from the building, with louver arrangement and will permit viewing from
the inside but not from the outside.
From the outside it will appear to be solid construction. The project is expected to be completed about
Nov. 15. Architects are Reddemann and Domann, Elm Grove, Wis. WDTimes
___ 1962 __________________
01 21 ARTHUR ULLRICH HONORED
Arthur A. Ullrich, 134
Corner Street, for many years a member of the Merchants National Bank staff,
will be honored by Watertown Lodge on exalted
rulers’ night which will be observed at the Elks Club on Feb. 14. Mr. Ullrich has been a member of the Elks for
50 years, and during that time has held different offices in the lodge and has
been active in the organization. WDT
DRIVE THROUGH FOR BANK
___ c.1965 __________________
100 E Main, City
assessor form, WHS_006_009a
1962c, 100 E Main, City assessor image,
WHS_006_009b
___ 1965 __________________
11 21 Changes in the staff of the Merchants National Bank were
announced today, following a meeting of the board of directors Wednesday
evening. D. J. Priebusch, 304 South Montgomery
Street, a member of the bank staff since 1958, has been named cashier,
succeeding Robert Cutter whose recent resignation took effect on Nov. 1 when he
moved to Cassville where he has accepted another banking position. Also announced today was the fact that R. J. Hoge, 605 Labaree Street, has joined the
bank staff and has been named vice president.
WDT
___ 1967 __________________
09 22 DIAMOND JUBLIEE CELEBRATION
The Merchants National
Bank at Main and North First Streets will observe its 75th anniversary next
week, with open house during regular banking hours, Monday through Friday, Sept.
25 to 29. The bank opened for business on Oct. 1, 1892, so the actual
anniversary date will fall on the Sunday following the open house period. The
75th anniversary will be an important milestone in the history of this banking
institution which was organized in 1892.
Contributed: The 75th anniversary was while I worked
there. We handed out ash trays and
evergreen seedlings.
___ c.1968 __________________
MAXWELL STREET DAY
___ 1969 __________________
06 13 FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA PROMOTE JUNE AS DAIRY MONTH
Members of Watertown Chapter of the FFA distributed samples of dairy
products to customers of the Merchants National Bank. Pure Milk Products Cooperative, Piper Bros.
Dairy and the bank cooperated in sponsoring the project. Serving a dairy treat to Fred Grimm is Gary
Schmidt of route 5. Looking on is Bruce
Wahl of route 5.
___ 1972 __________________
THE WHITE PIN
Marlene Stangler. The “Thank You” Bank.
___ 1975 __________________
DRIVE THROUGH FOR BANK
12 18 MERCHANTS NATIONAL BUILDING SOLD
TO WATERTOWN RADIO, INC.
Watertown Radio Inc. (WTTN) has purchased Merchants
National Bank building. The announcement
was made by Carl V. Kolata, general manager of the station
WTTN will move its studios and offices to the new
location immediately after Merchants Bank relocates in its new location at
Fifth and Main Streets.
The purchase of the present Merchants Bank building is
the latest in a series of changes the local radio station is making to meet the
needs and desires the listening audience in the Watertown area. WTTN recently became an affiliate of the
Mutual Broadcasting System and the Wisconsin Independent Network, bringing more
in depth coverage of state, national and international news along with numerous
feature programs. Watertown Radio Inc.
also became a member of the Radio Advertising Bureau, providing assistance to
clients in advertising and cooperative coverage.
Remodeling of the first floor of the Merchants
building to meet the needs of a broadcasting facility will begin shortly after
the bank vacates the building. The move
of office, technical and transmitting equipment will be carried out over a
period of days but daily programming of WTTN AM-FM will not be interrupted. The
stations are not expected to be off the air during the move.
Kolata said the move will provide Watertown Radio Inc.
with needed additional space for expanded programming and staff. He added the
new location will give the station better visibility in the community and
easier access to the public.
The marquis in front of the building will continue to
be available for promotion of community events as well as local programs aired
on WTTN.
Kolata also stated that in the near future, WTTN-FM,
will go to stereo programming and offer separate programming from WTTN-AM.
The president and general manager of the station noted
the operation has come a long way from the early 1950's when live bands
performed regularly from WTTN's large studio on the third floor of Wisconsin
National Bank and both an engineer and announcer handled the programming
schedule. Today, the positions are
combined with a separate engineering staff to handle major technical work.
Watertown Radio Inc. was formed in 1950 as an AM
station. WTTN-FM went on the air in 1960. Studios and offices of WTTN have been
located on the third floor of the Wisconsin National Building since it began
operations.
Office space in the building will continue to be
available in the building for small concerns and private individuals.
The Watertown Chamber of Commerce will move to the new
Merchants Bank facility.
___ 1992 __________________
10 13 100th ANNIVERSARY
Bank One of Watertown
will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding with an open house on
Thursday and Friday. Lobby hours are
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Although the bank has had several name
changes over the last century, its roots go back to Oct. 1, 1892, when
Merchants Bank was founded at 100 E. Main St. under a state charter. First president was Joseph Terbrueggen and
the bank had 32 original stockholders.
By Dec. 2, 1899, the bank grew to $412,257 in total resources. Merchants
Bank was a pioneer of savings banks in Watertown, opening up the first savings
department in 1905. That same year, an
addition to the rear of the building was constructed to provide much needed
space.
03 06 FORMER BANK RESTORATION
The owner of Watertown’s radio
station says he hopes to restore the former
Merchants Bank to its original appearance.
Renovation has been temporarily halted to the building at First and Main
that currently houses WTTN-AM, but owner Chuck Mills says repairs will
begin again once warmer temperatures return to the area. Mills said he’d like to see the building
restored to its Victorian look prior to 1961, about the time Merchants Bank
changed the appearance of the building by adding yellow reflective panels and a
stone look over the bricks of the original building. Mills said the bricks in the building are in
poor disrepair, partially due to the renovation done by Merchants, and total
restoration could be difficult.
< Image with portfolio set
(scroll through)v<<
Cross References:
MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Uncertain date. Watertown
Historical Society Collection
|
Merchants Bank |
|
|
Merchants Bank |
|
|
Merchant's Bank |
1975, 100 E Main, rear of bldg, drive-through,
WHS_005_283 |
Cross
References:
Louis
Cordes was a director for 20 years.
John Schempf, bank founder and director.
William Sproesser assumed management in 1894
Omar Gaston,
architectural engineer, former organizer and president of the Merchants National Bank.
Death of Richard Hoge, 1983
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin