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Salick’s Jewelry Store
Joseph Salick & Son
For over 140 years
1853 - 1995
Joseph Salick, 1824-1910
1853 FOUNDED
Joseph Salick
The
present Salick Jewelry Co. was founded in 1853 by Joseph Salick who came to
Watertown from Cincinnati at a time when Watertown expansion was at its
height. On
Figures
for the population of Watertown in 1853 vary from three to four thousand. There were many business houses here at the
time, however, including six dry goods stores, eleven grocery stores, two drug
stores, fifteen taverns, two bakeries, three meat markets, two book stores, six
cabinet shops, four tinshops, few factories, two
printing offices, six school houses, two select schools, and many churches and
one bank. The census of 1855 shows the
population to have been 8,512, an increase of 7,000 in ten years. In point of population Watertown was the
second city in Wisconsin.
First Store Opened
At
this time Mr. Salick established his first store in Watertown. It was located on the site of the present New
York meat market 8 Main Street (1930
City Dir).
Another source states that the first Salick store was
in the Werner building on the north side of the Main Street bridge
The
year following he erected the building on the site of the present store
building. Later, when his son, Charles
J. Salick, was old enough to enter the business, his father took him into
partnership and with the gradual and steady expansion of the business it was
found necessary to build an addition to the store which is now the building
occupied by the company at 1 and 3 Main Street, next to the bridge.
01 11 WATCH AND JEWELRY STORE
Mr. J.
Salick, of this city, has one of the largest and best stocks of watches,
clocks, and jewelry, of all descriptions, in the state. Being himself a skillful and experienced
operator, he never allows any work to go out of his shop that is not well
done. His advertisement will be found in
this paper, and all who wish to purchase articles in his line,
cannot do better than give him a call.
WD
1856
-- -- FOUNDATION
LAID FOR NEW STORE
The
foundation of the new brick block which Mr. J. Salick has made
arrangements to erect, near the southeast corner of Main Street bridge,
have been laid after much difficulty and labor.
The block is to be three stories high, thirty-six feet deep by nineteen
wide, and built of our unsurpassed and most beautiful Watertown brick. We learn that it is the purpose of its owner
to finish it off in a style that will make it one of the most tasteful and
attractive in the city. Such a structure
will be a fit improvement of the extreme point on which it will stand. WD
1860
12 27 JOSEPH SALICK,
wholesale and retail dealer in watches and jewelry, takes pleasure to
announce to the citizens of Watertown and vicinity that he had removed [moved]
his store to his new brick building, at the [south]east
corner of Main Street bridge, where you will find a great variety of choice
gold and silver watches of every description, gold gent’s pins, gold ladies’
pins, bracelets, eardrops, rings, chains, lockets, shirt buttons, pencils,
silver and silver-plated spoons, spectacles, knives, money purses, etc.,
etc. And many other articles too numerous to mention.
A great assortment of clocks of all kinds will be sold at the lowest
prices. Come and See. Joseph Salick. WD
Salick
Variety and Jewelry Store, 3 and 1 E Main St (SE corner of bridge)
Far
right, Joseph Salick, c 1890. Others not
identified
Note
Salick-built timepiece (now at Octagon House) in window behind Joseph.
Gritzner Barber Shop located in basement
of Salicks
1862
09 11 PRAIRIE
CHICKENS
Mr. J.
Salick has our thanks for the brace of fine prairie chickens
he presented us the other day – the result of his sporting skill.. WD
1864
08 25 JOSEPH
SALICK RETURNED FROM GERMANY
Personal. Last week Mr. Joseph Salick returned to this
city from Germany, where he has been on a visit to the Fatherland during the
past four months. WD
10 12 HOME PURCHASED
J. W.
Cole sold to J. Salick, house and lot in Second ward for $4,500. WD
1874
03 04 SOMETHING
OF A WHIP
WHIP AUCTIONED OFF ON ST. PADDY’S DAY FUND
RAISING FOR NEW ST. BERNARD’S
At the
Jewelry store of Mr. Joseph Salick may be seen these days a whip which is one
of the handsomest specimens of fine workmanship imaginable. Ivory handle, gold mountings, beautifully
engraved, are some of the points of excellency about this whip, and we would
advise all to go and see it. On next
Saint Patrick's Day, March 17th, this whip will be voted for at Turner Hall for
the benefit of the fund to aid in the erection of the new St. Bernard Catholic
Church. Three candidates are proposed,
namely: Mr. Jonas Sleeper, Mr. Fred. Miller and Mr. Joseph Lindon. It is likely that there will be an exciting
contest with such popular candidates and lively times are expected among the
friends of the gentlemen from now until the decision is rendered. The Watertown News, 04
Mar 1874
1890
06 27 ROHLFING UPRIGHT PIANO
Jos. Salick & Son have on exhibition two of the
renowned Rohlfing upright pianos. All
interested in music are kindly invited to inspect these powerful, sweet-toned and durable instruments. Never before has
there been such inducements offered on first-class instruments as Salicks are giving on these for a short time.
07 30 PATENT
FOR WATCHMAKER’S TOOL
Joseph
Salick has just had patented
[US 433218] a watchmaker's tool, which can be used by any person, whether
mechanic or not, made to perform the most perfect and precise work. WR
___________________________ EARLY WEATHER
FORECASTING
___________________________
1891:
Watertown considered for Weather and Crop Service Station
04 22 1891 <> Frank Eaton, secretary of the
Farmers club, and some others, have interested themselves in having Watertown
made a weather and crop service station, under the auspices of the Commercial
and Agricultural interests of Wisconsin.
The project, it is expected, will be matured this week, and flag
displays be seen from the city hall building.
Daily weather maps will be received and posted in conspicuous places for
the benefit of the public.
Self-registering thermometers will be used for making observations of
temperatures, rain falls, etc. Great
benefits to the farmers about here are expected from the establishing
of this station, and it hoped that general interest will be manifested in its
maintenance and success. WR
04 24 1891 <> Through the efforts of Frank
Eaton on about May 1st next a signal service station will be in full running
order here. The flags will be displayed
from the city hall towers, which will indicate the weather 24 hours in
advance. The rain gauge and
self-registering thermometer will be placed at some convenient place in the
city, so that all may get the benefit of them.
05 15 1891 <> The signal service thermometers
and rain gauge for this station have arrived and are now in position on the building of Jos. Salick & Son. The
weather flags will be here in a few days, and will
float from the
flag staff of the city hall.
05 22 1891 <>
Last Friday
afternoon the weather signals of the government weather signal station were
floated for the first time from the city hall flag staff, the first signal
indicating frost that night. As it was
quite warm at the time and threatening rain, many laughed at the idea of there
going to be a frost, and alluded to the signal service
as a fraud, but on toward evening the weather turned cold, and during the night
a very severe frost set in. Thus far the
weather predictions have been a success...
WG
05 22 1891 <> [same date and paper] Attention
farmers. Make hay while the sun
shines. Daily 8 a.m. weather forecasts
from Washington-D.C., standard time from Washburn Observatory and weekly crop
reports received at the Music and Jewelry store of Joseph Salick & Son,
Watertown, Wis. WG
06 03 1891 <> The weather signals are now displayed from the Salick building instead of the city hall.
________________________________________________________________________________
1891
06 17 JEWELERS
TO BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS
Commendable
<> The jewelers of Watertown have agreed to close up
their places of business on Sundays, beginning July 6. This is a most commendable move that we trust
will be followed by other merchants. No
town in the state is more lax in the matter of
observing Sunday, so far as keeping open places of business is concerned, than
Watertown. WR
1894
02 16 JOSEPH
RETIRES, CHARLES TAKES OVER
Notice
is hereby given that the co-partnership heretofore existing under the firm name
of Jos. Salick & Son, dealer In musical Instruments and novelty goods, has
this day been dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Jos. Salick retiring from the
business. Hereafter the business will be
conducted by Chas. J. Salick.
All
accounts against the old firm will be settled by Chas. J. Salick, and accounts due the firm collected by him.
The
jewelry business heretofore conducted by Jos. Salick will hereafter be carried
on by said Chas. J. Salick. All accounts
against said firm will be settled by Chas. J. Salick, and accounts due the firm collected by him.
Thanking
our patrons for the past, we solicitude to their patronage for the future.
Jos.
Salick, although retiring, will have charge of the repair work and give it his
strict attention, satisfaction guaranteed every time.
Parties
owing the firm are kindly requested to settle before
March 1st. 1894 WG
Dec CHRISTMAS AD
1900
04 27 15th
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, Chas. Salick and wife
Sunday,
April 22, 1900, was the 15th wedding anniversary of Chas. J. Salick and wife,
and a number of their friends called that evening at
their home, 700 Third Street in honor of the event to offer their
congratulations. Several hours were most pleasantly passed by them at Mr. and Mrs.
Salick’s hospitable home, a fine supper being served, and cards and music being
indulged in. It was a most joyful
gathering, and as each guest departed, hearty good wishes were extended that
Mr. Salick and wife would live to enjoy many happy returns of their wedding
anniversary. WG
12 07 BASEMENT
USED TO DISPLAY HOLIDAY STOCK
Jos.
Salick & Son, 1 and 3 Main Street, has added the entire basement for the
display of their immense holiday stock.
This gives them three floors full of holiday goods — the largest and
best selected stock in this city — it will be to your advantage to inspect this
stock while complete to make your Christmas selections. The extensive growth of
this business is convincing of fair dealing and the lowest prices. WG
______________________________________________________
August Salick, Rev.
Charles Salick
John Salick
Upon
the elder Salick’s retirement his son, Charles J. Salick, assumed control and
has since formed a partnership with his son, John E. Salick, and the firm is
now known as Salick Jewelry Co.
Joseph
Salick has sold his two store buildings at the east end of
It
would be impossible to describe the hardships and handicaps in the early
history of the Watertown store. One
change that has taken place in the business conditions since that time and the
present day is plainly indicated by the fact that working hours were from 7
a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Oil lamps supplied
light by which the watchmaker busied himself.
Store image 3
.
Salick store, right, c1910 postcard
EARLY DAYS RECALLED
Mr.
Salick, in recalling earlier watch-making days, recalls them with the statement: “In those days the
work was no cinch. We had to make almost
every part that was needed for repair and oftentimes the tools.”
There
are several clocks in the store which were made by the founder of the store and
every part was made out of material obtained in
Watertown and which have given accurate service all these years.
[ Ode “To
Salick’s Clock” ]
The anniversary
about to be observed may well be regarded as most important because it finds
the Salick Jewelry Co. thoroughly seasoned and tempered by the past traditions
of achievement and ambition and with much to cause one to believe that the
coming years will continue to be happy and prosperous.
The
company plans “open house” for the week of June 3, and during this time they
have arranged for many interesting displays of the jeweler’s art and
craftsmanship. One of the items of
interest on display is a watch over 200 years old of the English verge type
which still keeps accurate time. The firm will be pleased to have the people
of Watertown and vicinity call and see these displays.
Old Art
Unlike
a person, a jewelry business upon entering its seventy-fifth year cannot be
called old. From time immemorial the
jeweler has supplied to every home those gifts which outlive the generation in
which they are purchased. Once these
things have become the possession of the buyer they
assume that priceless consideration known as sentimental value.
The
heirloom of today seems but the purchase of yesterday. Precious stones, gold and sterling silver
have been a standard of value for centuries.
They have always gone hand in hand with confidence, confidence in the
merchants who sponsor it.
Today,
in spite of changed methods of merchandising, the same
confidence marks every sale of jewelry.
And so, after seventy-five years, Salick’s store marks the time during
which the public has expressed its confidence in them to correctly interpret
their continuous demand for the artistic.
_____________________________________________________
A bicycle
to be ridden by Archie Wurtzler, who claims the title of champion of Watertown,
may be seen in the show window of Joseph Salick & Son [ Watertown Daily Times, 03
03 1897 ]
_____________________________________________________
Joseph Salick was the first to
commend electrical lights and signed a contract for a substantial number of
lights. Most of the business men were
indifferent but became convinced of its feasibility as soon as a few were put
in use.
St. Henry’s, First Trustee
The
Joseph Salick was one of the three first church council or trustee members of
St. Henry’s Parish of Watertown, assisting Father Conrad Beck, the first
residing priest.
Born in Westphalia, Germany in 1824,
Joseph Salick served in the German army during the revolutionary period of
1848. In the year 1853 Salick moved to
Watertown. One of his ten children,
August, became a priest for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Salick
was a prominent resident, devoted member of the parish and was a pioneer
jeweler and senior member of the firm of Joseph Salick & Son.
Salick
opened the first jewelry store in the community in 1853 and always lived in the
vicinity of the church; for a time his home was at 802 N. Fourth
Street, one of the most beautiful homes in the city, originally built
by John W. Cole.
Cross Reference: Henry Fendt has purchased the Joseph Salick
residence property at 412 North Fifth Street and will occupy it as his
family residence. Watertown Gazette, 11 30 1911
He
worked at the jeweler’s bench up to his retirement at age 85, being at the time
the oldest jeweler in Wisconsin.
Salick
died in 1910. “One can truly say of him
he lived as near as possible to the golden rule. As in private and business affairs he had the
respect of all who came in contact with him.” (Watertown Daily Times, 10 17 1910)
At
4:30 o'clock last Friday afternoon, while blasting ice at Main street with
dynamite, a piece of gravel covering the dynamite was driven through a side
window of the Salick jewelry store and struck Jos. Salick over one of his eyes
and inflicted a severe wound. Though not
of a serious nature, Mr. Salick was considerably scared at the time. Watertown
Daily Times, March 30, 1904
Watertown Daily Times, 10 29 1953
The
Salick Jewelry Company,
STORE CLOSES AFTER 142 YEARS
Watertown Daily Times, 10 07 1995
A
downtown business with a colorful history will end with the closing of Salick
Jewelers, a Watertown landmark for over 140 years. Rowland and Terry Straka, who have owned and
operated the jewelry business on the corner of East Main and South Third
streets for the past seven years, are in the process of liquidating the
inventory in celebration of Rowland's retirement at age 65. Salick Jewelers is believed to be the oldest
jewelry store in Wisconsin. The business
was founded in 1853 by Joseph Salick, who had been a clock maker in Westphalia,
Germany. It was one of Watertown's
earliest retail businesses, starting just 17 years after the city's first white
settler, Timothy Johnson, arrived here. Over the years the business has sold a
countless number of diamond and wedding ring sets to generations of customers, and also played a part in the evolution of the men's pocket
watch to the now traditional wristwatches for both men and women.
_________________________________________
1902
05 31 BICYCLES,
GO CARTS AND BABY CARRIAGES
1903
04 11 ELECTRIC
FIRE ALARM
Upon resolution of
Alderman Mayer, the mayor appointed the following committee to investigate the
merits of an electric fire alarm invented by Joseph A. Salick, H. C. Mayer C.
Mulberger, J. F. Prentiss, R. H. Radtke, H. C. Fredrich.
1905
CALABAZA
LAND COMPANY
Located above Salick’s
1905 Watertown City Directory
Calabaza signage noted in photo, which is for 1910 remodel project.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Letitia Marie Salick - Sidney Frederick
Eberle
Married
1909
Watertown Gazette, 07 30 1909
At high noon
Wednesday, July 28, 1909, a wedding
of more than usual interest took place at the home of Charles J. Salick and
wife, Third Street, the contracting parties being Miss Letitia Marie Salick and
Assistant Postmaster Sidney Frederick Eberle. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Father
Hennessey, pastor of St. Bernard’s Church.
For
several days the house had been in the hands of the members of a club to which
Miss Salick belonged and by the time appointed for the wedding it had been
transferred into a bower of beauty. The
parlor given up to the ceremony was done in white and green, the dining room in
sweet peas and smilax. To add to the
beauty of the scene the shades were drawn and the house lighted
by many candles.
Promptly
at high noon Miss Leona Brandt struck up the chords of Mendelssohn’s wedding
march. The ribbon bearers, Miss Elsa Schempf and Miss Margaret Eberle, in gowns of pink and
white, stretched the ribbons for the bridal party. Miss Ida McGough of Milwaukee, attired in
white French organdie and pink silk, was maid of honor, and she carried a large
bouquet of pink sweet peas. Following
came the bride on the arm of her father.
She was gowned in white messaline trimmed with duchess lace and
embroidered net and wore the conventional veil.
She carried a shower bouquet of white sweet peas.
The
best man was Ralph Eberle, brother of the groom.
The
ceremony was followed by a breakfast of ten courses, covers being laid for
18. The servers were the
Misses Della Koenig, Selma and Della Hoermann, Elsa Baumann
and Elvira Emmerling.
After
a tour of several weeks in Michigan the groom and his bride will make their
home at 317 North Montgomery Street, this city, and will be at home to their
friends after October 1st.
The
groom and his bride are two of Watertown’s most esteemed citizens and have passed all their lives in our city, with
the exception of a short time the groom was employed in the west. They are members of two of Watertown’s oldest
and best families, the groom being a son of Postmaster H. T. Eberle and wife,
and the bride the eldest daughter of Charles J. Salick and wife.
Their
friends are all who know them and they are known to nearly everybody in
Watertown, hence on entering married life they have the hearty good wishes of
all our people for a long, prosperous and happy life. The
Gazette joins their numerous friends in wishing that their fondest hopes of
matrimonial bliss will be fully realized.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Joseph A. Salick, Jr.
06 10 DIED. Joseph A. Salick, a son of Joseph Salick
After a lingering illness of several months Joseph A.
Salick died at his home at 208 West Main Street [?] on Tuesday, June 7,
1910. Deceased
was a son of Joseph Salick, a pioneer jeweler of Watertown, and was born in
this city on April 26, 1855. He was
educated in the schools of this city and after leaving school learned the
jewelry trade in his father's store.
November 5, 1879, he was married to Miss Addie Cody,
daughter of the late Dr. James Cody, and shortly after he engaged in the
jewelry and music business at Appleton, having at one time one of the largest
stores in his line in the state. About
20 years ago he closed out his business at Appleton and removed to this city
and engaged in the optical and jewelry business, which he conducted up to a
short time before he died.
Mr. Salick was a genius in many ways, especially in
the mechanical and literary line. A few
years ago he published a work entitled
"Telepah," a dramatic poem of the Orient, foretelling the wonders of
the electrical world. It was published
in four volumes and had a large sale.
His wife, two sons and five daughters survive him, his
children being James Salick of St Louis, Mabel, Laura, Ruth, Julia, Stella and George of this city. Friday morning at 9 o'clock his funeral will
take place from St. Henry's Catholic Church, and his remains will be interred
in St. Bernard's cemetery. WG
1910, cont.
08 05 REMODELING STORE FOR CHARLES J. SALICK
New front; interior remodeling; steam heat;
$3000. Iron, Dornfeld-Kunert Co. Balance day work except painting and
glazing. A. C. Huenefeld,
architect. Watertown News, 08 05 1910
1910: Albert Maas Sr (1861-1944)
Maas
Bros. was founded later, in 1922
click to enlarge
______________________________________________________________________________________
Joseph Salick, Sr
1910
10 21 DIED. Joseph Salick, father of Joseph
A. Salick
Into the Shadows
Death has called a good man, prominent resident and
respected citizen and neighbor in the person of Mr. Joseph Salick, who was
called into eternal rest at his residence, 412 North Fifth street Monday. He had been seriously sick for several days
and his death was not unexpected by his relatives.
Mr., Salick was one of the best-known citizens of
Watertown where he resided over half a century.
His was a useful life, devoted to his family and attentive to business
duties. He was a pioneer jeweler of
Watertown and senior member of the firm of Joseph Salick & Son.
A remarkable feature of his life was that he worked at
the jeweler’s bench up to the age of 85 years when he retired to enjoy a
well-earned rest. At the time of his retirement he was in point of service the oldest jeweler in
Wisconsin and up to that time his eyesight and nerves were in the excellent condition required for the care and repair of
watches and like work. He was known to
the jewelry fraternity of the state as the father of them all, having worked at
the bench for seventy years.
He learned the business when a lad at Burgsteinfurd, near his native town.
Mr. Salick was born in Norwalde,
Westphalia, Germany, January 3, 1824 and served in the German army during the
revolutionary period of 1848. Later he
came to this country and lived for a while in Cincinnati and New Orleans, later
removing to Milwaukee.
He was married in that city by the Rev, Salzmann in
St. Mary’s church, to Elizabeth Hepp, September 28, 1852 and, with his wife,
since deceased, had the happiness of celebrating his golden wedding.
In 1853 he removed to Watertown, making the journey by
team and shortly after engaged in the watchmaking and jewelry business, the
firm for many years being located at 1 and 3 Main street.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Salick, eight
of whom are Jiving: The Rev. August Salick, Mrs. Mattew Gale, Otto Salick,
Milwaukee; Benjamin Salick, Centralia, Wash.; Mrs. Benjamin Stetson; Napa, Cal,; Charles J. Salick, Mrs. M. Curley, Miss Theckla
Salick, Watertown. Thirty-five grandchildren also survive.
Mr. Salick was honored by the people with many offices
of trust and responsibility. He served
several terms as alderman and when the old Central Wisconsin Fair association
was in existence here was its treasurer several years. Besides he held various local society
offices.
In 1864 he paid a visit to his old home in Germany,
the only break in his long and useful residence in this city, and his death
will be learned with sorrow by the whole community as one can truly say of him he lived as near as possible to the golden rule. As in private and business affairs he had the
respect of all, so in his private life he won and maintained the warm regard of
all who came in contact with him, a devoted husband
and kind father.
He made no enemies but leaves a host of friends to
deplore their personal loss in his death.
The Watertown News, 10
21 1910
11 11 A HANDSOME STORE BUILDING
Chas. J. Salick has
just had his jewelry store building at the east end of Main Street bridge
remodeled and fitted out in fine shape.
It is electric lighted and heated throughout from basement to the second
story, and has all other modern improvements. The second story is fitted out for office
purposes and the first story and basement is used for Mr. Salick's jewelry and
novelty business. The show windows are
as fine as any in the state and give Mr. Salick a fine opportunity to display
his large stock of goods therein. The
Salick building now looms up in fine shape, and Mr. Salick is
deserving of credit for this enterprising move on his part. WG
1912
06 13 DIPLOMA TO JOHN SALICK
The Wisconsin Institute of Horology of Milwaukee has
issued a diploma to John F. Salick of this city, he having
recently completed his course in that institution. It guarantees him competent to repair and
adjust all time measuring instruments.
He is a member of the firm of Chas. J. Salick & Son, jewelers, No. 1 and 3 Main Street, and he will hereafter have charge of
the watch and clock department of the firm’s business, and all the firm’s
customers can count on getting first class service in that line. WG
1920 Vigilance of clerks prevented
a considerable loss through forged check
1922 OTTO
T. SALICK, Profile of
Otto T. Salick engaged in the real estate and insurance business and
widely known as the president of the North Avenue Advancement Association was
born in Watertown, Wisconsin, April 10, 1877, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth
Hepp Salick, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to the
United States in youth. They cast in
their lot with the pioneer settlers of Milwaukee where the father first engaged
in business as a watchmaker and jeweler.
He afterward removed to Watertown, Wisconsin, and there conducted a
jewelry business to the time of his death.
Both he and his wife have passed away.
Otto T. Salick was educated in the public and parochial schools of
Watertown and also attended Marquette University of
Milwaukee. When his school days were over he started out in the business world and was employed
in various capacities. Later he engaged
in the real estate business and has built up an extensive trade in this
connection at No 3610 North Avenue. His
residence in Milwaukee dates from 1895 and through the intervening period he
has steadily forged to the front in business circles in this city. He has negotiated many important realty
transfers and through his activity has contributed in considerable measure to
the improvement and progress of the northern section. He also has a well-organized insurance
department and was one of the founders of the North Avenue Advancement
Association which was formed in March 1919 and has steadily grown having on its
list of members the leading business and professional men of this section of
the city. Mr. Salick has taken a most
deep and helpful interest in the movement and the purposes underlying the
society and recently contributed to the North Avenue Star a most interesting
article setting forth the history of North Avenue and the development of this
section of the city.
In 1902 Mr. Salick was married to Miss Mary Reiter of Milwaukee and they
have become the parents of eight children; Olive
fifteen years of age, Florence aged thirteen, Frances eleven, Dorothy nine,
John seven, Genevieve four, Ralph three, and Robert two.
Through the field of political activity Mr. Salick has also done much
for Milwaukee's benefit and progress. In
1903 he was appointed assessor of the twenty second ward
holding the office until 1912 or for a period of nine years. During this time he
was also a member of the board of review.
Any project or plan put forward for the benefit and upbuilding of the
city receives his endorsement and loyal and active support. History of Milwaukee, City and County, Volume 2, William George Bruce, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co,
Chicago, 1922.
1928
06 01 75th
ANNIVERSARY
The
Salick Jewelry Co. will observe its seventy-fifth anniversary the week of June 3-10 (1928). The history of this business is closely woven
with that of the city. WDT
1932
06 27 PENDULUM
CLOCK IS STILL RUNNING AFTER 70 YEARS
For over 70 years now, nearly three quarters of a century, the old
pendulum clock, the only one of its kind in the U.S. has been swinging back and
forth, ticking out the seconds, in either one or the other display window of
the Salick Jewelry company. It has been
swinging constantly, day in and day out, through three generations, with the exception of its annual removal from the widow for
the yearly oiling. The old clock is
almost in a class by itself. There is
only one other clock like it in the entire world and that was made in Germany
some years before the local clock was constructed by Joseph Salick, father of
Charles Salick, who was employed by the old German clockmaker who made the only
other pendulum timepiece of its type.
Before Mr. Salick sailed for America, his employer, who took a liking to
the young man, gave him the design of the clock and the right to make a similar
one if he cared to.
Shortly after Mr. Salick came to Watertown, he set to work to produce
the clock that now for 70 years has attracted people from far and near. Thousands of tourists, passing through the
city, have noticed the unusual clock and have stopped
to inspect the novel timepiece and one, poetically inclined, upon seeing the
clock, was so impressed he wrote a poem about it.
The face of the clock forms the pendulum weight on the bottom of the
pendulum and swings back and forth as the seconds are ticked out.
[ Ode “To
Salick’s Clock” ]
1953
07 04 CENTENNIAL YEAR, 1853-1953
Float in Fourth of July parade
1957 217
EAST MAIN ST LOCATION
1957 compared to 1897 business at this
location
1963 SALE OF THE SALICK’S to Sam J.
Luchsinger
12 31 Sale of the Salick Jewelry Co. to Sam J.
Luchsinger was announced today by John E. Salick. Mr. Luchsinger has been a partner and member
of the firm for the past 17 years. In making
the announcement, Mr. Salick, who resides at 306 North
Church Street, said he wanted to express his appreciation to his many
friends and customers for their patronage during the many years he has operated
the business which was founded, in 1853, by his grandfather, Joseph
Salick. WDT
Samuel John Luchsinger, 1922 - 2013. He and his wife, Margaret, owned the Salick
Jewelry Store, located at 217 Main St. in Watertown, for 42 years, and sold the
business in 1988, currently Bradow Jewelers.
Salick Jewelers was founded in Watertown in 1853. Mr. Luchsinger was highly respected in the
Watertown business community for his integrity, sincerity and friendliness to
customers and colleagues. Mr.
Luchsinger was trained in gemology and a respected member of the American Gem
Society.
1986
04 01 GOOD FRIDAY ROBBERY
Watertown police this
morning said their investigation has turned up little on the Good Friday
robbery of Salick Jewelers. About 600
rings, made of various stones and in various stages of completion, were taken
from Salick, 217 Main Street, when two persons
apparently distracted the clerks while others lifted the articles from an
unlocked backroom safe. Police who
originally listed the incident as “shoplifting” on their daily blotter, said a
“gypsy-type” man, who they described as having a dark complexion and a Spanish
accent, walked into the store at 11:15 a.m. and talked to a clerk about
purchasing some jewelry. WDT
1987
Cross-References:
When he retired at age 85 he was the oldest
active jeweler in the state; Forty-Eighters leave their mark on Watertown
Joseph Salick used
to row his boat down the Rock River every morning to near his Main Street
store.
Construction of Salick Jewelry Store,
1-3 E Main, photo: Faces & Places - Watertown Area, Heritage House Publishing
(Marceline, MO), 1999, p 40.
Joseph Salick is buried in St. Henry’s
Cemetery; son John in St.
Bernard’s
Charles Salick and John Salick had compiled early weather reports on the city.
Dramatic
poem “Telepah," published by Joseph A.
Salick
1876,
U.S. centennial parade, Charles Salick led one section of the parade on
horseback
1911, Dr.
U. N. Barber, Dentist, located above Salicks
1895c,
Gritzner Barber Shop located in basement of Salicks
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin