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ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Trachte & Trayser
Trachte Organ
William
F. Trachte was born in 1859 and became a very
successful Watertown businessman. He was
in partnership with G. A. Trayser
at one time (Trachte & Trayser) and at
another he was the sole proprietor of a piano, organ, sewing machine and
bicycle store on Main Street. At the
latter, he specialized in the sale of parlor pump organs which were a popular
item at the time [WHS
005 217].
He and his wife, Emma, were quite
musically inclined and both were proficient playing the organ and the piano.
When an organ was sold, a gilded
label with the "Trachte" name was affixed to it before it left the
shop. William and Emma wanted to be sure everyone knew where the musical
instrument was purchased.
Emma
was also proud to tell buyers that the purchase of an organ also included 10
free lessons. Emma would have the buyer come to their home on South Third
Street where a Trachte organ stood proudly.
That organ was
manufactured by the Raymond Organ and Piano Company of Cleveland, Ohio, and
over the years the organ was played by three generations of the Trachte family.
There
were several different ideas as to where the store was located in downtown
Watertown [WHS 005 218 ], [WHS 005 219 ], [WHS 005
220].
Two differing
stores and locations
(left) 216
Main St (Kreitzman Collection) and (right) 108 Main
I have created the
following timeline that establishes its location
over time and it is gleaned
from the Watertown Gazette.
06 15 1888 ad and article
“Trachte
& Trayser, two of Watertown’s most enterprising
young business men, have a new advertisement this week of special interest to
the ladies. They are offering bargains
in gloves, embroideries, parasols, etc.”
The
June 15 ad is “Trachta & Trayser
- Have an Immense Line of PARASOLS EMBROIDERED DRESS PATTERNS LACE EMBROIDERY
FLOUNCING of every description, LACE MITS GLOVES AND HOSIERY, which they are
selling at very low prices. Call and see
what bargains they have to offer.”
(“Trachta” is indeed used in the ad, not Trachte. No address given).
I find no ad for T&T before this date so assume that the
placement of the new ad is close to the time of the founding of the new
business partnership (as listed in the 1887-88 city directory).
09 14 1888 ad (“Trachta” again, instead of Trachte; location noted)
“GREAT
REDUCTION IN PRICES
On
Parasols, Lawns and Summer Goods at Trachta and Trayser’s
Cor.
Main and 3d Sts.
Now is
the time for the ladies to secure bargains in this line of goods. We quote no prices, but guarantee to suit you
in this respect. Come and see us.
Trachta & Trayser.”
03 20 1891 article, very
short
“Trachte
and Trayser have dissolved partnership, Mr. Trachte
continuing at the old stand.”
After
the dissolution of T&T, they became competitors in dress goods (dry goods)
and were located on the same block.
Every week they both had ads in the Gazette, normally at the very top of
the same page, with the Trachte ad on the left side and the Trayser ad (“I lead while others follow”) on the right.
11 18 1892 ads, example,
addresses only
Wm. F.
Trachte
216
Main St.
G. A. Trayser
208
Main St.
04 06 1894 article, Trayser dry goods closes
“G. A.
Trayser, for the past nine years engaged in business
here, left for Kaukauna, Wis., on Wednesday, where he will conduct a general
store, making a specialty of provisions.
Mr. Trayser is a straightforward business man, and his departure from here is much regretted
by his many friends and all hope himself and his wife will be prosperous and
happy in their new home.”
05 07 1895 ad, Trachte dry
goods line discontinued at 216 Main
“Selling
Out. Selling Out.
STOCK
- $18,000 - STOCK
I
intend to sell out my entire stock of Dry Goods, Clothing, Gent’s Furnishing
Goods, Hats, and Caps - complete stock in good shape, all new clean, seasonable
and saleable goods - everything will be sold, and a better chance to buy will
never CHANCE to come your way again.
This is not special sale, no blind advertisement, but a real
- Slaughter Closing Out Sale -
. . .
Wm. Trachte, 216 Main Street”
02 27 1895 article
We
understand that William F. Trachte intends closing out his dry good and grocery
business at 216 Main Street and locating at Ohms mill, where he will build a
store directly north of Ebenezer church and also be interested in a creamery to
be erected the coming season. Mr.
Trachte is circulating a petition to change the name of the place to Ebenezerville, and locate the post office near the
church. WR
08 23 1895 ad
“Closing
Out Prices TAKE ANOTHER TUMBLE ..... Wm. Trachte”
08 30 1895 ad, Trachte
piano and organ line offered at 216 Main
“WM.
TRACHTE.
Pianos
and Organs
I have
added to my stock a large and well selected line of PIANOS and ORGANS, such as
never was exhibited in Watertown before.
A cordial invitation is extended to each and everyone to visit my store
and examine my goods. Insist upon seeing
the ‘Malcolm Love Piano’ with the Phelp’s Harmony
attachment . . .
Wm.
Trachte, 216 Main Street”
02 28 1896, ad
Sometime
after the 05 07 1895 sale of all dry goods they must have been offered again as
they were sold out again when the business had to vacate the 216 Main store:
“AUCTION!
AT WM.
TRACHTE’S STORE
216
Main Street, Watertown, Wis.
Dry
Goods, Groceries, Underwear
Blankets,
Ribbons, Notions, Corset, etc . . .
Having
decided to retire from the Dry Goods business, I shall sell my entire stock of
Dry Goods and Groceries at Auction to the highest bidder . . . Do not forget that every dollar’s worth
of goods must be sold by March 16, 1896, as I must give possession of store on
that date . . . Grove D. Fulmer, Auctioneer.”
The
1897 city directory lists Wm. Trachte, re-established at 108 Main, as seller of
pianos, sewing machines and bicycles.
This has to be the location of the photo submitted by Bill Trachte. Isn’t this, in part, where Keck’s is located
today? In the same 1897 city directory
Keck’s is listed at 110-112 Main.
The
1899-1900 city directory lists 108 Main, pianos and organs.
The
above Kreitzman image is the earlier of the two.
Emanuel
G. Wetzel (1871 - 1934) was affiliated with the Trachte firm, being in charge
of its music department. Born in Wilton,
WI, he previously attended Northwestern College in Watertown and for a time was
a parochial school teacher. He later
moved to Jefferson and was in charge of the music department of the C. F. Bullwinkel Company of that city [Jefferson Banner, 08 17
1934].
I’ve
reviewed the set of Kreitzman images and note that in
#045 of the set a number of store fronts can be seen in the background of a
parade event on Main. A store front
perfectly matching the “unknown” one submitted by Bill Trachte can be
seen. It is to the east of a building
clearly identified as “Watertown Republican” and according to the 1898-99 city
directory the Republican was located at 106 Main.
In Kreitzman image #074 of the set a number of store fronts
can be seen less distinctly in the background of a different parade event on
Main. But it can be made out that the
building that would be 108 has a sign hanging out over the walk that say “Music
Store,” and it is the very same sign as shown in the above right-side
image. This store is adjacent to another
with the lettering “Kecks.” The 1898-99
city directory lists Kecks at 110-112 Main Street.
Trachte
& Trayser dry goods store was located at the
corner of Third and Main (216 Main).
After the dissolution of T&T, the Trachte dry goods and music store
remained at this location until relocated as the Trachte Music Store at 108
Main. The Trayser
dry goods store opened at 208 Main.
1898
SIGNAGE NOTED
c.1900
1901
01
16 1901 article
Business Change.
On Monday William F. Trachte,
proprietor of the Trachte Manufacturing company, disposed of his piano, organ
and sewing machine business to the D, E. Owen Piano Manufacturing company,
which has been established at Oconomowoc for some months
past.
The transfer was made through the
agency of H. J. Strauss, and by it Mr. Trachte not only disposes of the
good-will of his business and the agencies he has controlled, but also of his
entire stock of instruments and machines. Mr. Trachte gives possession at once.
For the present the store at 108
Main Street will be continued, as will also the Oven establishment at
Oconomowoc, but in the course of a few months the
entire business will be located at 113 Third Street.
Mr. Owen is a reputable and
energetic business man and expects to ply a large trade in this vicinity. He is well pleased with the prospects and
considers the field he has entered a most promising one. He will be welcomed to the business circles of
Watertown.
Charles De Brier, Mr. Owen's
right-hand man and a gentleman well versed in the piano and organ line, will be
manager of the Watertown store. Previous to his engaging with his present employer, he was
for five years a salesman for Mr. Trachte.
1909 City Dir listing
Trachte,
William, produce 1909, 216 S.
Third
1912
Oconomowoc store. Ad in program of 1912 Saengerfest singing
festival held at Oconomowoc, WI.
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin