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Watertown Daily Times

115-117 W Main

1895

FOUNDING OF, history of, family owned

It was back on Nov. 23, 1895, a Saturday, that the first edition of the newspaper came off the presses and was distributed to this growing community.

The paper was started by John W. Cruger and E. J. Schoolcraft. There were a few ownership changes over those many years, but in 1919 John Clifford purchased controlling interest in the paper and continued in that position until Christmas Day in 1922 when he was killed in a car-train accident in the city. From that point until 1932 J. P. Holland, who was serving as editor, took over the publisher’s duties. In 1932 John D. Clifford took over as editor and publisher of the paper. John’s son Jim came on the scene in 1964 and Jim’s son, Kevin, joined the paper in 1992. Today Jim is editor and publisher and Kevin is associate publisher and general manager. The paper has been in the Clifford family for all but the first 24 years of its existence.

1895

01 26 FIRST EDITION of Watertown Daily Times

The Watertown Daily Times, a new aspirant for newspaper honors and patronage in our midst, was issued for the first time Saturday afternoon. It is a six-column folio, two pages Chicago "patent." Typographically it is clean. The publishers are J. W. Cruger, manager, and E. J. Schoolcraft, editor, both formerly of Durand, III. J. P. Holland, a good news gatherer, is local reporter and solicitor. The Republican extends its compliments and best wishes to the enterprise. WR

1898

WAR BULLETINS, Spanish-American War, Daily Times

Corner Main and First, 101 E Main

Eugene Killian, E. J. Schoolcraft, J. W. Cruger.

Cross Reference: Chapter on Spanish-American War

06 01 Last Wednesday evening burglars effected an entrance to the residence of J.P. Holland, editor of The Daily Times, on Church Street, but aside from devouring all the good things of the editor's larder, did not molest anything and secured no booty for their trouble. The same night thieves ransacked the dwelling of Jacob Reinhart in the same neighborhood and stole a small sum of money contained in a purse that was lying on a table. WR

11 16 We were quite surprised to read the subjoined item, headed "Vote It All," in Thursday's Daily Times. The Times pretends to stand for independence in exercising the elective franchise and strongly advocates the "split" ballot. Therefore, we fail to comprehend why it should allow itself to go on record otherwise in the following comment:

"It is pleasing in these days of political degeneracy to find such an exhibition of political loyalty as was shown last Tuesday by Herman G. Grube, Democratic candidate for member of assembly. One of his workers was soliciting a vote from one of the opposite party for Mr. Grube, and the latter overhearing it said: 'No, if you can't vote the whole democratic ticket, don't vote for me. I am for the whole ticket and want to win or meet defeat with the rest.' Very few candidates for office nowadays conduct a campaign upon so high a plane" WR

11 30 As a special Thanksgiving attraction, and at the same time in commemoration of the third anniversary, The Daily Times issued an illuminated number last Wednesday which was very creditable to the publishers. The front piece was a colored work typical of the national holiday season, and the addition contained extra advertising that well paid for the enterprise. The Times deserves whatever success it can achieve. WR

12 21 A twelve-page Christmas number, including a handsome illuminated cover, was issued by the Daily Times last Saturday. The Times people are certainly spreading themselves on special editions and from all appearances are profiting by them. WR

1900 FIVE YEARS OLD

11 30 The Daily Times was five years old last week and its continued to prosperity is assured. It's fully deserves the success it has received, and The Gazette extends its best wishes for its future. WG

1901 ENTERED ITS 7th YEAR

11 29 On Saturday last The Daily Times entered on its 7th year and has every promise of a bright future. It presents a happy appearance — is well edited and brim full of news. The Gazette wishes it continued success. WG

1902

03 22 BUILDING AT 115 W MAIN

The west half of the frame building at 113 and 115 West Main Street is being torn down to make room for a new brick building which will be erected by the owner, Otto Hartwig of Chicago. The building is one of the landmarks of the city, being erected in the 1840's, probably 1840. For many years it was occupied by the late W.C. Steinmann as a harness shop, but for the past two years has been unoccupied. WR

TIMELINE REGARDING 115 WEST MAIN ST.

PORTION OF WDTIMES TODAY (113-115 W. Main)

c.1840: Frame building erected

1885: 115 W. MAIN: William C. Steinmann, harness and saddlery (city directory)

1902: 115 TORN DOWN: The west half of the frame building at 113 and 115 West Main Street is being torn down to make room for a new brick building which will be erected by the owner, Otto Hartwig of Chicago. The building is one of the landmarks of the city, being erected in the 1840's, probably 1840. For many years it was occupied by the late W. C. Steinmann as a harness shop, but for the past two years has been unoccupied.

1916: 115 PURCHASED BY WDTIMES: The Times Publishing Co. purchased the real estate at 115 W. Main Street from Otto J. Hartwig of Chicago and are breaking ground for a new printing plant. The building will be one story and basement, 100 feet long, cement floor and fire proof roofing. The equipment, including a new linotype and a 10-ton, 2 revolution Optimus press has already been ordered. They expect to have the new plant ready for occupation before April 1^st.

1906 LOCATED IN BASEMENT of new Masonic Temple

The Masonic Temple has been completed at a cost of $40,000. The first floor is leased to business firms and for post office purposes and the office of The Watertown Daily Times is in the basement.

1908

07 17 DAILY LEADER SUSPENDS PUBLICATION

The Watertown Daily Leader, established two years ago last April, suspended publication last Friday. Subscriptions taken over by the Times. WG

11 06 INDUSTRIAL EDITION

Last week The Watertown Daily Times issued an industrial number showing up the business, educational and natural resources of the city of Watertown. It was finely illustrated, well edited and neatly printed and the subject matter is of great historical interest as well as commercially to the citizens of Watertown. The number is a credit to The Times management, and fully deserved the liberal patronage it received

1909

02 26 Editor Holland left for Hot Springs, baths for rheumatism WG

1910

05 06 Editor Holland candidate for renomination for county treasurer WG

08 26 FIRST WIRELESS MESSAGE TO THE TIMES

The first wireless message ever received by a daily newspaper in Watertown was received by the Daily Times on Saturday afternoon, but too late for publication.  It was sent by Alex Buchheit, who with his father, William Buchheit, are returning home from a visit to Germany.  The sending of the message was prearranged and was given to the wireless operator when on board ship 1000 miles from New York.  It was transmitted to the Postal Telegraph Company and sent by phone to the Times from the postal station in Madison.  The message reads as follows:

"Steamer Grosse Kurfuest, 1000 miles from New York.  Arrive Tuesday.  Are in rough sea and passing Icebergs."  Buchheit.

They are expected home on Thursday – [Watertown Daily Times]    WG

09 02 HOLLAND for County Treasurer

Watertown candidate on the democratic ticket asks for a renomination.

James P. Holland, editor of the Watertown Daily Times and county treasurer of Jefferson County, is a candidate for renomination at the primary election. He has been a life-long democrat and a worker in the ranks of the party for many years and this is the first time he has ever aspired to a public office. He believes, and with justice too, that the county treasurer should be given a second term the same as the other candidates on the democratic ticket in Jefferson County. If fidelity to party principle and hard work in the ranks for many years counts for aught he should be given a hearty endorsement at the polls on primary election day.

A man who aspires to a county position under the present law governing the elections is put to a great deal of expense and it is but fair that he be accorded a second term in consequence. WG

1911

01 26 A GOOD NEWSPAPER CREED

The Louisville Courier Journal gives this as a good newspaper creed, and looking back over the track we have traveled for 29 years, remarks the Henderson (N. C.) Gold Leaf in a recent issue, we believe it may be truthfully said that this paper in a humble way has followed out the creed that Colonel Watterson has laid down as a good one to adopt. But of this our readers are to be the judges. Here it is:

To print nothing of a man which we would not say to his face; to print nothing of a man in malice; to look well and think twice before consigning a suspect to the ruin of printers’ ink; to respect the old and defend the weak; and lastly, at work and at play, day time and night, to be good to the girls and square with the boys, for hath it not been written ''Of such is the kingdom of heaven." WG

11 11 ARMISTICE DAY <:> EXTRA ! EXTRA ! HUNS SURRENDER

click to enlarge

TEMPER OF PEOPLE MUST DECIDE ON CELEBRATION

Mayor Out of City and Other Officials Do Not Care to Act in His Absence:

Public Schools Close Today

Watertown employers and employees must decide for themselves whether today will be observed as a holiday in the city or not.

Mayor Charles Mulberger is out of the city and could not be reached though attempts were made to reach him by telephone.

Alderman Charles Lutovsky, president of the city council, acting mayor in the absence of the city's chief official, declared himself as being heartily in favor of a cessation of business so far as it could be arranged on such short notice, but did not care to issue a proclamation asking the people to observe the holiday.

Following a conference between Defense Council officials, President William F. Voss of the board of school commissioners and Superintendent Thomas J Berta, it was decided to close the public school for the day.

Unless otherwise notified in the evening paper, night school pupils will report as usual.

The Daily Times, always FIRST with the news, summoned its employees and began the preparation of an extra before three o'clock.

Shortly before 5 o'clock Chairman T. A. Wondreyka of the Watertown Council of Defense was routed out of bed and told the news. It had been previously telephoned to Fort Atkinson and other parts of the county upon request of the County council of defense officials.

Chairman Wondreyka conferred with the city officials and The Daily Times received their answers through him. He also notified the pumping station and the whistle began to blow at 5 o'clock.

12 02 DAILY TIMES 15 YEARS OLD

On Wednesday last week the Daily Times was 15 years old, entering on its 16th year on that day. In the evening it celebrated the event by inviting all the editors and printers of the city to a smoker and luncheon at Carl Otto’s dining room in Madison Street. The Times is one of the best daily papers in the interior of the state, and were our people to give it and the weekly papers the patronage they should receive in a city of this size, better papers would be the result. There is room in Watertown for a good daily paper and an enterprise of this kind deserves liberal encouragement. Newspapers in every community are always its very best assets and the Times very justly claims Watertown’s liberal consideration. [Watertown Gazette]

1912

05 09 EDITOR DAILY TIMES MIGHT TAKE OWN ADVICE Before "Rushing Into Print"

Editor Gazette:—The Daily Times of Saturday evening calls an unsigned article in The Gazette against members of the police force "cowardly," that it “cast odium upon the whole department." If this is so, then how much more cowardly was that unsigned article in favor of a mashing ordinance, which appeared in a recent issue of The Times, in which special mention was made of High School students. Did not that throw odium upon the entire school? According to The Times own reasoning then, that was an insult to the entire student body, and not only that, but to every parent who has a child in High School. If any complaints are to be made against High School students, why don't they take it to the school board? That body is a regularly-constituted one, and complaints should be made to it. All its members are respectable men, and it has always contained men of good reputation. The Times says "Of late it seems to be the fad to discredit everybody connected with the conduct of city affairs, and the police of course come in for their share." On the contrary, it seems to be the fad for some of those connected with the city administration to insult everyone with any claim to respectability, and the police can expect nothing else than to be discredited if they follow the lead of some of their superiors. – A Minor. WG

1915

03 05 Daily Times doubled its size; to an eight-page paper

- During the time that Emil Doerr was with the paper it occupied various locations. It was first located where the Mullen Dairy is now operated. From there the paper moved to the basement quarters in the Masonic Temple, located there up to 1916 temple fire.

- Ad, 1915, printers, publishers, 2-6 E Main, Masonic Temple Bldg

04 09 Treatment for rheumatism; J. P. Holland, editor WG

07 08 THE PRINTERS’ PICNIC / U. V. Kaub, Daily Times reporter

The union printers of Watertown and editors held a picnic last Sunday afternoon at the home of the Sauerkraut Club in the town of Pipersville. The boys had a splendid time, notwithstanding the day was a very chilly one for July. It was a poor day for fishing, the only fish caught were a few carp in the early part of the day. Zeno Bruegger, the heavy weight of the bunch, did some fantastic tango dancing when Gene Killian struck up one of his famous tenor tango tunes. Zeno said he thought all the Tom Cats.in the town of Ixonia broke loose and no one could blame him for tangoing.

Gene remarked that Zeno’s early education in vocal music was sadly neglected and he did not know how to appreciate good singing. There were others, however, who agreed with Zeno – U. V. Kaub, The Daily Times reporter, when the first strains of Gene’s tenor music reached his ears, made a bee-line for Watertown, accompanied by John Staffeil – a worthy guest present, as far as the town of Ixonia line[?] – for fear he might drop dead in his neighborhood and Kaub’s relatives might then sue the town for tolerating such a heart-breaking commotion within its confines.

J. P. Holland was chief on the occasion and Master Doubleday, Gene Killian’s pupil in tenor singing, dispensed the soda water and buttermilk. Otto Mueller was the most successful fisherman on the occasion and he tried to convince E. D. Stack that he ought to pay him $1.50 for his catch . . . WG

1916

03 03 TIMES TO HAVE NEW BUILDING

The Times Publishing Co. purchased the real estate at 115 W. Main Street from Otto J. Hartwig of Chicago and are breaking ground for a new printing plant. The building will be one story and basement, 100 feet long, cement floor and fire proof roofing. The equipment, including a new linotype and a 10-ton, 2 revolution Optimus press has already been ordered. They expect to have the new plant ready for occupation before April 1st. Their temporary quarters will be in the old Buchheit block, Third Street. WG

Cross Reference: 1885 view of 115 W. Main

1917

-- -- VERNE KAUB, EDITOR

Verne Paul Kaub and his mother had moved to Watertown, where he was city editor of the Watertown Daily Times. In 1917 he bought an interest in the paper and became editor.

1919

JOHN CLIFFORD

Purchased controlling interest in the paper and continued in that position until Christmas Day in 1922 when he was killed in a car-train accident in the city.

1920

04 14 FUTURE CITY EDITOR WETTER IS POET AND CARTOONIST

“THE JUNE BRIDE” / WETTER DRAWING ON EXHIBITION

“The June Bride,” one of Clarence Wetter’s best ink drawings, is now on display in the window of Ryan’s book store. Besides being the high school poet, Mr. Wetter occupies the position of chief cartoonist, having, contributed a daily cartoon to the various bulletin boards in school since his entrance as a freshman. For the past two years he has been engaged for the Orbit in doing the principal drawing. The coming edition will also contain several of his best productions. During the recent war he designed numerous posters for the various activities and drives, besides making scores of humorous sketches, which were forwarded to the soldiers in the army camps and in Europe. His best daily cartoons are the political series of Wilson, as well as those relating to the great war. “The June Bride” will be on exhibition the remainder of the week. 04 14 1920, WDTimes

1922

JOHN CLIFFORD killed in a car-train accident in the city on Christmas Day. From that point until 1932 J. P. Holland, who was serving as editor, took over the publisher’s duties.

1929

-- -- CARRIER CALENDAR

1932

JOHN D. CLIFFORD became editor and publisher of the Watertown Daily Times in May of 1932, following the death of J. P. (Bob) Holland, and continued in that capacity until his death. Died in 1987.

1936 Delivery Boys

1937-38 Delivery Boys

1938 Delivery Boys

1940 Delivery Boys

c.1940

-- -- VISIT TO WATERTOWN

Carl Nowack, Jane Lord, John Clifford (Daily Times), Mrs. Max Rohr, Joseph E. Davies, Max Rohr, Mrs. Max Rohr, Jr., Gene Killian (former Daily Times employee)

1950

10 10 WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES 13th ANNUAL TALL CORN CONTEST

Walter Woelffler of Waterloo placed first with stalk of 13 feet, 2 inches

1952

02 29 SECOND FLOOR OF THE NEW ADDITION

Workmen yesterday placed the second floor of the new addition to the Daily Times’ building.

Both the first and second floors of the building are made up of pre-stressed concrete slabs. In the picture, a crane is hoisting from a truck to the second floor one of the slabs. Each slab is 16 inches wide, eight inches thick and a little over 20 feet long. Each weighs over 1300 pounds. It required less than a day to place the floor.

Both floors will be covered with two inches of concrete.

The slabs, known as FLEXICORE, were made by the Mid-States Products Concrete Company of Beloit.

The expanded facilities will provide badly needed added space for all departments of the newspaper.

A new front will be placed on the present building to tie in with the front of the new structure. The new building will double the floor space of the Times’ plant. The expanded plant facility will be 43 feet wide and 100 feet deep, with a full basement in the new section.

03 28 EMIL RUEGG 30 YEARS OF SERVICE

Emil Ruegg rounded out 30 years of service with the Daily Times where he now serves as makeup man in the Times composing room. Mr. Ruegg is the second oldest employee of the Times in point of service. He’s been a good worker and his cooperation has always been outstanding.

1953

11 12 FUN WITH FOOD EVENT

Fun with Food event held at Turner Hall

Nov NEW AND REMODELLED PLANT OPENED

c.1955

1956

EMIL DOERR (1879–1956) profile

Printer associated with Times Publishing and WD Times

1958

03 08 EDWARD KROENING HONORED

Edward Kroening, a Daily Times’ composing room employee for nearly 36 years, who retired at the end of last week, last night was the guest of honor at a dinner at Otto’s Inn. Others at the dinner were members of the composing room and John D. Clifford, Times’ publisher and editor. Mr. Kroening entered the employ of the Times in October of 1921 and worked for the Times continuously until now, with the exception of nine months in 1946 when he left the Times to work for his brother, Earl, in a commercial shop at Hartford. Composing room members at the dinner included Clarence Schroeder (foreman), Richard Baer, Bernard Armstrong, John Owen, Hams Wagner, Alvin Guetzlaff, Ray Norton, William Connor, David Weise and Dean Strege.

1960

02 20 SENATOR HUMPHREY VISIT

The plant of the Watertown Daily Times yesterday afternoon virtually was engulfed by the followers of U.S. Senator Hubert Humphrey, newspapermen, columnists and representatives of national publications.  They poured out of a special Humphrey chartered bus parked across the street from the Times' building.  Led by the senator, they streamed into the Times building in what appeared to be endless numbers, clogging the stairway and the second floor hallway until the group could be distributed into the various rooms on the second floor of the building. In all, there were more than 30 persons.  They included Marcus Childs, well known Washington columnist whose columns appear on the editorial page of the Daily Times. The group also included representatives of Newsweek, and the Christian Science Monitor, United Press International and a number of political writers for midwestern and eastern papers. WDT

1962

07 27 CARL HOBUS

Carl A. Hobus, who for many years owned and operated the Vogue Cleaners from which he retired when he sold the business last year joined the Container Development Corp. Mr. Hobus began his career in Watertown as a linotype operator in the Daily Times plant before going into business for himself. WDT

1963

11 02 F.M. EULBERG

F.M. (Casey) Eulberg of Portage joins the Daily Times’ advertising staff on Monday. He will assist Gary W. Ponath in the retail department of the Times. Ponath, who has been a member of the Times’ staff for a good many years, has succeeded the late S. J. Friedman as advertising manager. Eulberg, a native of Portage, was employed as a member of the advertising staff of the Portage Register-Democrat. He also has had retail store experience. He is a graduate of the School of Journalism of the University of Wisconsin. WDT

1964

JOHN CLIFFORD BECOMES EDITOR

John Clifford’s son Jim joined the paper in 1964 and Jim’s son, Kevin, in 1992. Jim became editor and publisher and Kevin associate publisher and general manager.

11 13 The Daily Times today is launching an expansion program which will include added floor space, and a much larger and faster press. A one story addition is being added to the rear of the property which the Times owns at 117 West Main Street, immediately to the west of the Times’ plant. A 24 page Duple tubular press has been acquired. It will be installed in the one story addition. The tubular press will operate at least four times as fast as the present press, and it will have a capacity three times as great as the eight page capacity press on which the Times now prints its paper. WDT

1965

02 07 NEW DUPLEX PRINTING PRESS

Now that more favorable construction weather prevails, work on the addition to the plant of the Daily Times is moving forward again. The addition will house a 24 page Duplex printing press with an adjacent area to be extended to two stories. The 24 page press will be moved in through a large opening in the wall and after the press is moved in the opening will be closed. The addition housing the press will be one story, and the other portion will be two stories. The stereotype room will be located on the first floor extension, and the extension on the second floor will be used to provide additional composing room space. The 24 page tubular press will replace the present eight page flat bed press. Printing will be increased by four times, and press capacity will be increased three times. WDT

07 16 Today’s issue of the Daily Times is printed on a 24 page Duplex tubular press. The installation recently was completed, and for the past few days various adjustments were made during trial “runs.” More adjustments will be made in the early stages of the new operation to bring quality up to a high level. The press replaces an eight page Duplex flatbed press which has been in operation in the Times plant for many years. With the 24 page press, 24 pages can be printed at one time, compared to eight pages at one time with the flatbed press. Where more than two hours have been required to print the paper, the task now will be performed in about 30 minutes. The press is housed in a one story addition which was added to the building in the west of the building which the Times occupies at 113-115 West Main Street. Also, the first and second stories of the Times plant were extended 20 feet to the alley to allow for a sterotype room on the first floor and to provide badly needed additional composing room space on the second floor. Work on the building’s extensions is expected to be completed shortly. The increased press capacity and added space are needed to keep up with the continuing growth of the newspaper. An addition was added to the Times plant in 1952 and 1953 which doubles floor space. WDT

1967

11 27 CLARENCE WETTER SUFFERS HEART ATTACK

Clarence H. Wetter, city editor of the Watertown Daily Times, is confined to Watertown Memorial Hospital following a heart attack. His condition is reported as good. WDT

1968

11 02 CLARENCE WETTER RETIRES

Clarence H. Wetter, 66, now in his 47th year with the Daily Times, many years as its city editor, will retire on Dec. 23. He came to the Times in 1921 for what was to be a summer job as a reporter. He has been with the paper since, but as early as 1919 was writing a high school column for the paper. His column, “In Times Square,” signed with his initials “Cl. H. W.,” has been a Times’ feature for many years. He plans to drop it for a brief time upon his retirement but will resume writing a column around next February 1st or in early March. WDT

1969

01 13 HI SCRIBBLER STAFF MEMBERS TOUR NEWS PLANT

Marilyn Hossman, Nancy Sanquist, Bobbi Olson, Linda Neu

06 06 CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FROM WATERTOWN JAYCEES

James Clifford, left, on behalf of John Clifford, editor and publisher of the Watertown Daily Times, and Carl Kolata, right, president and general manager of radio station WTTN, received certificates of appreciation from Watertown Jaycee President William O'Brien.

July EDITORIAL ON GLADYS MOLLART AND OCTAGON HOUSE

The dedication on Sunday followed through, by a little over a year, comments made by John Clifford, editor and publisher of the Watertown Daily Times, in an editorial of tribute to Gladys Mollart in July, 1969, when he wrote “her interest in the Octagon House continues with even accelerated enthusiasm. Now she and other members of the Watertown Historical Society have in mind an administration building on the grounds. . . the support this endeavor is receiving also is heartwarming to Miss Mollart. Rest assured, there will be an administration building. She’ll see to that.”

10 14 KIWANIS TESTIMONIAL OF APPRECIATION

A testimonial of appreciation was given to the Watertown Daily Times by Kiwanis International through the local Kiwanis Club in appreciation of the support of community activities and the comprehensive reporting of news. Presenting the award is Dennis Gruenert, president of the local Kiwanis, and James Clifford accepts the award for the Daily Times.

10 25 FALL CIRCULATION CONTEST

Winners John Munzel, first place; Dave Zimdars, second place; and Larry Eckert, third place. Winners were presented with their checks by circulation manager George Kuckkan.

12 15 CARRIERS RECEIVE AWARDS

Five Watertown Daily Times carriers received awards for outstanding work as carriers in the past year. The awards were given at the Times annual Christmas party at the Wethonkitha Club. Brad Vogt, James Wade, Thomas Blatter, Michael Pitterle and James Hines.

1970

06 04 JAYCEES CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

The Watertown Jaycees presented certificates of appreciation to radio station WTTN and the Watertown Daily Times. William J. Schmidt, past president of the Jaycees, Mrs. Arthur (Mary) Zielsdorf of the news staff of the Daily Times, and Carl Kolata, president and general manager of WTTN. The certificates were in appreciation for news coverage given to the Jaycees the past year.

08 21 PICNIC AT CLARK PARK

For carrier boys

10 29 CIRCULATION CONTEST WINNERS

George Kuckkan, circulation manager, presents a prize to Mark Kuehl for third place winner in the annual fall circulation contest (Mark Kuehl would later become circulation manager). First place winner was Dean Kleist, and second was Lee Retzlaff.

1975

05 13 LOUIS A. KOHLS (1916-1975)

Funeral services for Louis A. Kohls, 59, 821 Richards Avenue, lieutenant of the Watertown Police force. Lt. Kohls was involved in photography for the police department and also for the Watertown Daily Times. Photography was his hobby and he enjoyed doing free lance work.

1982

03 22 DAILY DELIVERY IN AND AROUND JUNEAU

The Watertown Daily Times today begins daily delivery for residents in and around the city of Juneau. The new circulation area was started after a one month sampling of all residents, and the response to the Daily Times program has been excellent, according to James Clifford, associate publisher and general manager. Carriers who will be delivering the paper, beginning today, are Ken Fennewald Jr., 14, and his 12-year-old brother, Ted. They are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Ken F. Fennewald Sr., 512 East Oak Street, and are students at Dodgeland Junior High School in Juneau.

10 09 EXPANSION to utilize vacant building

In order to provide badly needed additional space, the Daily Times will utilize the vacant building it owns immediately to the west. The business office will be expanded by taking over the first floor, and larger quarters for the news room will be made possible by occupying the second floor of the adjacent building. The news department is now located on the front portion of the second floor of the existing building. The project will include some remodeling work in the building the Times now occupies. A new front, to match the front of the existing building, is included in the project.

1983

01 22 BUSINESS MANAGER Position Created

Ralph Krueger, a member of the advertising staff of the Watertown Daily Times for the past five years, has been named business manager for the newspaper, a newly created position. John D. Clifford, editor and publisher, said in recent years Krueger has assumed a number of responsibilities in the paper in addition to his advertising sales work. In his new position Krueger will continue with these duties and will also be in direct charge of the newspaper’s accounting department. Other responsibilities will be added in the future, Clifford added. Miss Ruth Uttech, who has been bookkeeper at the Daily Times for the past 51 years, is planning to relinquish her full-time duties later in the year, but will continue on a part-time basis.

05 13 Miss Ruth Uttech retirement, bookkeeper for Daily Times for 52 years WDT

12 15 New layout/design of the Watertown Daily Times WDT

1984

07 20 Judy Christian named advertising manager; succeeds Phil Strunz. WDT

11 10 John D. Clifford, editor and publisher of the Watertown Daily Times, was the recipient of Bethesda’s Community Service Award during a dinner Saturday evening at the local facility. The surprise presentation was in recognition of Clifford’s “continued and exemplary coverage of the concerns and activities of retarded citizens and the facilities which serve them.” Bethesda Executive Director Alexander Napolitano praised Clifford and the Times for its true sense of concern and support of handicapped people. This included not only Bethesda, but also coverage of activities for the Association for Retarded Citizens and St. Coletta’s, he said. WDT

1986

05 05 SCHULTZ PRESIDENT OF THE WISCONSIN ASSOCIATED PRESS

OSHKOSH - Thomas Schultz, managing editor of the Watertown Daily Times, was elected president of the Wisconsin Associated Press at the group's annual spring meeting at the Radisson Hotel this morning. Schultz succeeds Mary Martin, executive editor of the Oshkosh Northwestern. The term of office is for one year. Other officers of the association elected this morning were David Zweifel, editor of the Capital Times in Madison, vice president; and William Berry, managing editor of the Stevens Point Journal, resolutions committee chairman. WDT

06 25 CHUCK MEHCIZ RETIRES

Retirement for Chuck Mehciz will be anything but quiet if all of his plans are realized. Mehciz, who has announced he will retire at the end of this week from his position of classified advertising manager for the Watertown Daily Times, reflected on his years with the company and also his plans for the future in an interview today. Mehciz, a 26-year veteran of the Daily Times, has a number of projects and activities planned. WDT

09 16 ADVERTISING STAFF AWARDS

The advertising staff of the Watertown Daily Times received several top awards at the 45th annual conference of the Wisconsin Newspaper Advertising Executives Association at Eau Claire this past weekend. In addition, Judy Christian, display advertising manager, and a seven year veteran of the Daily Times advertising staff, has been named to the association’s board of directors. Christian and Dick Barrett, advertising director of the Wausau Daily Herald, were elected to the board of directors at the meeting. WDT

1987

07 31 DEATH OF JOHN D. CLIFFORD

John D. Clifford, 200 North Church Street, Watertown, editor and publisher of the Watertown Daily Times for the past 55 years and a community leader throughout most of his business life, died early this morning at Watertown Memorial Hospital. Death was due to heart failure. He became editor and publisher of the Watertown Daily Times in May of 1932, following the death of J.P. (Bob) Holland, and continued in that capacity until his death. His father, a former Dodge County Clerk of Courts and a founder of the Juneau Independent, became a stockholder in the Daily Times and editor and co-publisher of the newspaper on Jan. 1, 1919. He had brought about the merger of the Times and the Watertown Leader.

07 31 DEATH OF JOHN D. CLIFFORD / EDITORIAL, WDTimes

John D. Clifford will be missed by community

Watertown has lost one of its true community leaders this week with the death of John D. Clifford.

His professional career in Water town spanned six decades. They were years which saw his leadership take the Daily Times to a level of respect in the community and among his peers in the newspaper industry.

But he will probably be most remembered for his overwhelming dedication to Watertown and his extreme loyalty to friends as well as those in some type of need.

As editor and publisher of the Watertown Daily Times he was in a position to help shape the public agenda for this community. He did that, but even more, he helped provide the leadership - both actively and "out of the limelight" - which has served as the foundation for this wonderful community.

John was not afraid to fight for what was right-even if he was minority or a lone voice on an issue. But when the decision was made, he could forget the past and move ahead. He based his positions on what was best for the community-not on how to be popular.

We at the Daily Times will miss his leadership. He had excellent business judgement. When he entered the business back in 1932, the Daily Times was anything but financially strong. Butthrough the years, his sharp business sense and journalistic abilities turned the newspaper into an award-winner. His accomplishments have gained him respect among his peers throughout the state.

While a financially strong business was important to John, his greatest love was on the news/editorial side of the paper. That's where he found the action and the enjoyment. He was never "too proud" to cover a story himself, to edit copy or write an obituary.

In the course of his news department work, John had a strong sense of "fair play." Long before the open meeting law was on the books in Wisconsin, John was a champion of the people's right to know. Many times he chastised public bodies for not letting the people have their say.

And there were many battles over disclosure of information. And when he knew he was right, there would be no compromising. But as anyone who has been in a heated discussion with him on those type of issues can attest, when it was over, it was over and they remained friends.

Countless community projects would not have been possible without the strong and active support of John D. Clifford.

But in addition to those qualities, he worked to assist those who needed help. He played a key role in implementing Joe Davies' plan for scholarships to help students who might not otherwise be able to attend college. He gave of his time and money to help the Boy Scouts, March of Dimes, Watertown Memorial Hospital, individuals and families who had been struck by tragedy or other difficult time.

And John did not consider himself "above" others in the community. Although extremely busy wearing many hats, he would take time to visit people, especially during a time of crisis.

In his later years, John had the foresight to see a need for a smooth transition in both his public and newspaper affairs. His son, Jim, had taken over more and more duties of the chief executive of the paper, and that transition was nearly complete at the time of his death this Monday.

Several years ago he orchestrated a shift in authority on the Davies scholarship board so it would forever remain under the direction and administration of local people.

John been a pillar in the community and a deeply religious man. A teacher, businessman, community leader, newspaper editor, and best of all, a true friend of the community.

He has left as his legacy a better newspaper independently owned and an independent, progressive voice for the community.

More than that, he has helped make Watertown a far better place than it was when he came to the Daily Times back in 1932. And no one can ask for more than that.

John D. Clifford and his leader hip will be sorely missed by his family, his newspaper staff and this community.

1988 JOHN D. CLIFFORD Memorial Award

05 25 Tracy Bredow was presented with the first annual John D. Clifford Memorial Award at the awards night program at Watertown Senior High School. The award, which carries with it a $1,000 scholarship, was presented by James M. Clifford, editor and publisher of the Watertown Daily Times. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a senior who is planning to attend a four-year college and major in the field of communications. Financial need and a B grade average are scholarship application requirements. WDT

1989 JAMES M. CLIFFORD, Wisconsin Newspaper Assn president

06 16 OCONOMOWOC — James M. Clifford, publisher of the Watertown Daily Times, was elected president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association at the organization’s annual meeting which is being held this week at Olympia Resort and Convention Center. Clifford is the 95th president of the group, the nation’s oldest press association. He succeeds Jerry Sondreal, editor of the Amery Free Press, as head of the statewide organization. The new president is the third generation of the Clifford family to head the Daily Times. He joined the newspaper’s staff in 1964 upon graduating from Marquette University’s college of journalism. WDT

09 23 JUDY CHRISTIAN

Judy Christian, Daily Times display advertising manager, has been named president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Advertising Executives Association. Christian was named president at the organization’s 48th annual conference held in Kenosha this past weekend. Christian was first elected to the board of directors in 1986. By serving on the board of directors, she was placed on the ladder of succession to president of the association. She has been associated with the display advertising department at the newspaper for the past 10 years and has been manager of the department since 1984. WDT

1990

01 08 NEW SATURDAY MORNING DELIVERY SCHEDULE

The Watertown Daily Times will introduce a new Saturday morning delivery schedule, effective with the publication tomorrow. This new production schedule will mean the Daily Times will be delivered to your door early Saturday morning, just in time to be enjoyed with breakfast and a cup of coffee. We decided on this exciting change to better serve our over 30,000 readers. Today society is more mobile and more active than it was in the past. As a result, many people find Saturday is a day for a wide variety of activities. WDT

05 15 MATC DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CITATION

James M. Clifford, publisher of the Watertown Daily Times, will receive a Madison Area Technical College Distinguished Service citation at a graduation ceremony Saturday, May 19, at 10 a.m. at the Dane County Coliseum. The Distinguished Service citation is awarded to individuals and organizations who have contributed unusual or meritorious service to MATC. Clifford was nominated for the award by teachers at Madison Area Technical College-Watertown for his support and contributions to the local campus. Those who nominated Clifford said he and the Daily Times worked hard to continue the nursing program in Watertown when it was in jeopardy of being moved to Madison. WDT

1992

-- -- KEVIN CLIFFORD BECOMES ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER & GENERAL MANAGER

Jim Clifford’s son, Kevin, joined the paper in 1992. Jim became editor and publisher and Kevin associate publisher and general manager.

10 03 KUEHL NAMED CIRCULATION MANAGER

Mark D. Kuehl, 34, a member of the Daily Times circulation department since 1976, has been named circulation manager of the newspaper. Kuehl succeeds George Kuckkan who has been circulation manager since 1975. Kuckkan, 64, has relinquished his full-time duties and is now working in the circulation department on a part-time basis. Kuehl had been promotion manager where he shared in the circulation department duties with Kuckkan. Kuehl’s focus will now encompass all aspects of the Daily Times circulation as well as TimeSaver, the newspaper’s free distribution product for non-subscribers, and the commercial mailing department.

1993

06 18 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

The Watertown Daily Times was named recipient of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s community service award. The award was presented at the annual meeting of the association at the Holiday Inn-Middleton. The honor, named the J.C. Sturtevant Memorial Award, was presented for the newspaper’s sustained coverage of the successful referendum and subsequent construction of a new high school building. All daily and weekly newspapers in Wisconsin, from the Milwaukee Journal, Wisconsin’s largest, all the way down to the smallest weekly, competed for the award.

08 21 DAVID HAZNAW

ELM GROVE — Watertown native David Haznaw recently joined Celtic Advertising, Inc. of Elm Grove as public relations director. The company is a full-service advertising, marketing and public relations agency for clients nationwide who are mainly in the fields of medical, sporting goods and manufacturing. In addition to his public relations duties, Haznaw also writes most of the advertising copy for Celtic. Prior to joining Celtic, Haznaw was public relations coordinator and marketing support specialist with One Call Concepts, Inc. in Milwaukee. He also worked for two years, through May 1989, at the Watertown Daily Times as a general assignment and Jefferson County reporter.

10 29 JAMES CLIFFORD, Inland Press Assn board of directors

James M. Clifford, publisher of the Watertown Daily Times, has been re-elected to a second two-year term on the board of directors of the Inland Press Association, Inc., a newspaper trade organization. Two other Wisconsin newspaper executives have positions with Inland. Russell F. Sprung, general manager of the Oshkosh Northwestern, was elected president of the organization at the meeting which was held in Chicago. He has held a variety of positions with Inland. Diane Everson, co-publisher of the Edgerton Reporter, was elected a director of the Inland Press Foundation Board.

1994

06 12 BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

STEVENS POINT — The Watertown Daily Times received four top awards, including first place in general excellence, in the Better Newspaper Contest at the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association today at Stevens Point. The other awards were a first place for business reporting, first place for feature photo, and third place for all around newspaper photography. On the general excellence award the judges said the Watertown Daily Times “is a great newspaper. Super stories, pictures, ads, features and sports. Overall, this paper was head and shoulders above other entries.” Staff photographer John Hart received a first place award in the features division for a photo of a boy carrying his dog.

1997 WEPCO

Acquisition of Wepco (former Weltbuerger)

1998

09 09 Ray Graglia, classified advertising manager, retired; succeeded by Mark Shingler WDT

1999

11 11 James M. Clifford elected president-elect, Inland Press Assn WDT

2000

05 21 CHERYL GARD, carrier for over 20 years

LAKE MILLS - Very few events have ever kept news carrier Cheryl Gard of Lake Mills off the job for long - not even a broken bone or the birth of her children. When she says she will deliver, she does. But the longtime carrier has now decided to stop delivering, and she will distribute her last Watertown Daily Times Saturday, May 27 after carrying four routes for many years. She has been a Daily Times carrier for over 20 years, with no vacations and no excuses. She has delivered newspapers with a broken hand after falling down on a route, refusing to seek treatment until she was finished. After the births of her two youngest children, she was back on the job two days later. Even when she has been very ill, she has sat in the back seat of her car and directed a driver to subscribers.

2001

03 29 The Watertown Daily Times has received a Vendor Excellence award from Kohl’s department stores for 100 percent accuracy in preprint distribution in 2001. In the fourth quarter of last year, Kohl’s announced the Vendor Excellence award program to recognize newspapers that achieve 100 percent accuracy in preprint distribution. An award certificate was presented to the Daily Times by Matt Gunderson and Lisa Haynes, regional media managers. WDT

10 19 James M. Clifford, publisher of the Watertown Daily Times, this week was elected chairman of the board of directors of the Inland Press Association at its annual meeting in Chicago. Clifford’s election came at the close of his term as president of the national organization which now has memberships from over 800 newspapers. As chairman of the board, Clifford will continue to be active in leadership of the organization and will also head the nominating committee for the next year. WDT

2003

02 07 The news staff of the Watertown Daily Times won nine awards, including four first place honors in the annual Better Newspaper Contest which is sponsored by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. The Times took second place in general excellence for daily newspapers with under 10,000 circulation. The judges said the Daily Times is “a colorful, clean and well-edited publication, with fine local news coverage.” One judge said, “I was especially taken by the Sept. 12 edition cover, perhaps the best use of an AP photo that I have seen.” The judges also said photography throughout the paper was strong and is often bolstered by solid reporting. The judges said the paper is “a clean and meaningful newspaper.” WDT

03 06 The Watertown Daily Times’ new four color, four page press unit was used for the first time this morning, after several weeks of installation procedures. Manufactured by Web Press Corporation of Kent, Wash., the unit vastly increases the color capacity of the press. T he first section to use the new printing capacity was today’s classified advertising section where color capacity had been strained to the limits in the past. The new press unit will allow the printing of four pages of the Daily Times in full color at one time. With the new press configuration, two other pages can be printed in full color as well, bringing a single press run capacity to 16 pages, of which six can be in full color. WDT

04 04 JOHN D. CLIFFORD

Elected Charter Member of Wisconsin Newspaper Association Hall of Fame

The late John D. Clifford, editor and publisher of the Watertown Daily Times for over half a century, is one of three people who have been elected charter members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Hall of Fame.

Clifford will share that honor with Marshall W. Johnston of Janesville and Warren Leary Jr. of Rice Lake at the induction ceremonies at the annual meeting of the state organization June 5 in Fort Atkinson.

The state newspaper group is recognizing Clifford for his commitment to journalism in Watertown for those many years as well as his active role in helping to lead the community in many different ways.

Clifford's hall of fame credentials traced his history in the profession. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1927 and four years later received his bachelor's degree in journalism from Marquette University.

After working a year with the Shorewood and Whitefish Bay weekly newspapers, in 1932 Clifford returned to Watertown as editor and publisher of the Daily Times, the newspaper in which his family had been stockholders since 1919. He succeeded J. P. Holland, who had been editor and publisher for the Clifford family but had died that spring.

Clifford had already been on the job nearly 40 years when the offset printing revolution swept through the newspaper industry. He quickly adopted the new printing technology, with the first cold type edition published on Monday, Oct. 18, 1971. Since that time change was a way of life, but Clifford led the company to excellence through technological innovations.

The sketch on Clifford's commitment to journalism and his community, to be presented at the annual meeting, said: "Clifford also remained mindful of the health of the community, an attitude reflected by his decision against moving the business out of downtown Watertown when expanding the business office and news department.

"Instead, in 1984, a large addition to the physical plant was completed and today the paper continues to serve as an anchor to the downtown retail center.

"Clifford worked as editor and publisher of the Times until his death in 1987. During that tenure, he also was devoted to and active in the newspaper industry as a whole, serving as secretary of the board and a director of the Inland Daily Press Association (now Inland Press Association) as well as president of the Wisconsin Daily Newspaper League (now the Wisconsin Newspaper Association). He was also the first recipient of Marquette University's Byline Award, given annually to a graduate of the school's College of Journalism for career achievement. It was presented to him back in 1946."

But more than all of this, his induction nomination cited his involvement in civic affairs. One of the founders of the then Watertown Association of Commerce Promotive Corp., Clifford served as the group's president for seven years. He led a community group which saved the old Crosby Square Shoe Company, then one of the city's largest employers, from closing. He served as a member of the board of directors of the Potawatomi Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, Watertown Memorial Hospital Association, National March of Dimes Association and was one of the original organizers of the post prom parties that continue to this day.

He served the Elks Lodge in various leadership positions, was a past president of the Watertown Rotary Club and the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce, and had been an active member of the Watertown Country Club.

He was also an original member of the board of directors, stockholders and for many years agent for the Joseph E. Davies Scholarship Foundation. That foundation had been established by Clifford's friend, Watertown native and former ambassador to Russia, Joe Davies.

Thomas L. Schultz, managing editor of the Times, submitted the nomination to the state organization. In the nomination, he said: "John was deeply involved in the newspaper business, championing the rights of the 'little guy' and often calling officials to task for overlooking the comments of the small person or for wanting to hold government's business in private. In addition, he was a compassionate believer in Watertown. Through his commitment and leadership at the newspaper, he was a major influence in Watertown's progress." WDT

2004

06 07 CHANGE FROM 13 1/4 INCHES WIDE FORMAT to a page width of 12 1/2 inches.

2006

07 19 CLIFFORD INDUCTED INTO MILWAUKEE MEDIA HALL OF FAME

James M. Clifford, editor and publisher of the Watertown Daily Times, is one of nine people who will be inducted into the Milwaukee Media Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 20. Clifford and five others were nominated by the Milwaukee Press Club’s Past Presidents Council and have been approved by the board of governors for induction. “These bright people helped capture and chronicle the words, the pictures, the sounds and the spirit of the human condition in the 20th century in Wisconsin and beyond, and we’re thrilled to honor them for their contributions to the profession of journalism by inducting them into the Milwaukee Media Hall of Fame,” said Steve Jagler, executive editor of Small Business Times and president of the Milwaukee Press Club. Jagler, who personally nominated Clifford for the honor, said, “The Watertown Daily Times has been owned and operated by the Clifford family since 1919. With each passing year, that becomes an increasingly amazing accomplishment. I know firsthand the positive impact the Clifford family has on the Watertown community,” Jagler said.

2008

02 06 RECEIVED A RECORD 21 STATEWIDE AWARDS

The Watertown Daily Times received a record 21 statewide awards at the annual Better Newspaper and Advertising Contest which is sponsored by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation. The awards were announced at the organization’s annual dinner this past weekend at the Kalahari Resort in Lake Delton. The Times awards, for the first time ever, included the two top advertising awards in the state for newspapers of all sizes, including daily and weekly publications. Those awards were named winners in a secret ballot vote by those attending the convention.

2009

01 06 ONLINE EDITION OFFERED BY WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES

The Watertown Daily Times is now offering a full electronic edition, in addition to the regular print edition.  A full copy of each edition will be available on a subscription basis by going to the Times' Web site at www.wdtimes.com.  The pages will be seen exactly as they appear in the print edition, and individual stories can be clicked on to make the print larger or smaller as needed.

To introduce the full electronic edition, the Web site will be free of charge from today through the Jan. 24 edition.  After that time, the electronic edition will be available on a subscription basis. As an added feature, the electronic Web site will offer archive subscriptions which will allow the subscriber to go back in past issues, dating back to 2005.

01 28 SCHULTZ PRESIDENT OF THE WISCONSIN NEWSPAPER ASSN

Thomas Schultz, managing editor of the Watertown Daily Times, is the new president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. He was elected to the position Thursday at the annual meeting of the statewide organization which is being held at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay. Nearly 400 executives from Wisconsin daily and weekly newspapers are attending the meeting. Schultz succeeds Ken Dischler, publisher of the Park Falls Herald, as the newspaper association’s president. His term of office will be through the annual convention in January of 2010.

2011

08 20 Printing of Daily Times to be moved

The final edition of the Daily Times on the newspaper’s press will be the Sept. 24 Saturday morning edition. The following Monday the paper will be produced at the state-of-the-art printing facility of the Janesville Gazette and then trucked to Watertown for distribution. All other departments of the paper will continue unaffected at the Daily Times offices at 113-115 W. Main St. They include news, advertising, circulation, pre-press operations, business office, billing and others.

The current offset printing press is just a couple weeks short of 40 years old and it’s showing its age.

In its 116-year history, the Daily Times has been published by only four printing presses. In the early years, dating back to the first edition in November of 1895, the paper was published on a flatbed, sheet-fed press. That press was replaced in 1921 with a Goss Duplex press that was revolutionary at the time. It could print up to eight pages in black and white at a speed of about 5,000 per hour. A typical press run would take nearly two hours and two sections were normally needed.

That workhorse press continued to grind out the Daily Times until 1964 when a major expansion of the company’s physical facilities was undertaken. The production and printing departments were vastly expanded and the Times purchased a used Goss Tubular Press from the Eau Claire Leader Telegram. That press was capable of printing 24 pages in a single section, or 20 pages with two of them having a single color for advertising. The press could print about 17,000 copies per hour when operating at full speed.

That press was a tremendous improvement but the advent of offset printing took the American newspaper printing scene by storm and by 1970 the old letterpress operations were converting to this new technology in droves.

The Daily Times made the strategic decision to purchase a new Goss Community offset press in early 1971 and by Oct. 18 of that year the first edition came off this brand new press. The press, as it is configured today, is capable of printing 16 pages in a single section with full color on six pages. It prints at a top speed of about 14,000 per hour. That is in contrast to the new Gazette press which can print 28 or more pages in two sections with full color available on every page, all at the same time, and can do the Daily Times press run in [less] than 15 minutes at top speeds. WDT

Additional story: End of an Era Nears

08 22 Kevin Clifford gets associate publisher post

Kevin C. Clifford, general manager of the Watertown Daily Times, has been named to the position of associate publisher of the company. Kevin Clifford will continue as the company’s general manager, but the added title is a reflection of the added duties he continues to perform for the company.

Kevin Clifford joined the staff of the Watertown Daily Times in September of 1992 after graduating earlier that year with a degree in business from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He initially worked in the display advertising and billing departments and then gradually expanded his duties in the advertising, business and circulation departments. He was named assistant business manager in September of 1995, a position where he worked closely with business manager Ralph Krueger in all financial aspects of the newspaper. In February of 2000, Kevin Clifford was named general manager of the Daily Times. With that position, he became in charge of the overall operation of the newspaper. He continued to work closely with Krueger on all financial aspects of the business and continued to lead the commercial printing projects of the paper. In addition to his work at the Daily Times, Kevin Clifford serves as general manager of the Dodge County Independent News, a weekly newspaper headquartered in Juneau and which is owned by the Daily Times. WDT

2012

Edward S. Kreuziger, 1944-2012. Rural route supervisor for the Daily Times for 20 years.

2015

01 12 TIMES WILL TRANSITION TO WEEKEND EDITION

The Watertown Daily Times will move into a new era on Feb. 6, when the Friday and Saturday editions of the newspaper will be combined into a single issue to be published on Friday. The final edition of the Saturday Watertown Daily Times will be published on Jan. 31. After that point the Saturday edition will be combined with the Friday edition to make a single, larger newspaper named The Weekend Edition and it will be distributed on Friday afternoons as usual. There will be no Saturday edition.

2017

02 28 “THE BEST OF CLASS IN 2017”

Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest

11 16 TOM SCHULTZ, WISCONSIN NEWSPAPER HALL OF FAME

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation will induct former Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editor Marty Kaiser and Watertown Daily Times Editor Tom Schultz into the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame on Thursday, Nov. 16 in Madison.

Tom Schultz is the managing editor of the Watertown Daily Times, where he has worked for 50 years.

In addition to managing the news department for most of his career, he has been part of the team that transitioned the newspaper from letterpress printing to offset in 1971, the introduction of computerization and the use of personal computers for all typesetting, the movement to digital photography at the newspaper and, more recently, the decision to close the printing press operations at the Watertown plant in September of 2011 and begin a new era with the printing done at the state-of-the-art Janesville Gazette printing division.

Schultz is a past president of both the WNA Board of Directors and the Wisconsin Associated Press Editors Association.

He has been involved in several community activities and helped found the Watertown Riverfest celebration more than 30 years ago and the Watertown Area Community Foundation, where is currently serves as president.

He’s also served several terms as president at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 15 years as a member of the board of directors for the Northwestern Publishing House, a national publishing division of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

About the WNA Foundation

Supporting WNA goals is the WNA Foundation, a not-for-profit organization created in 1980. WNAF works to improve the quality and future of Wisconsin’s newspaper enterprises, the industry and the communities they serve. The foundation solicits, manages and disburses funds and other resources for the benefit of Wisconsin’s newspaper industry and, ultimately, the citizens of our state.

2018

02 28 NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR

For the second year in a row, the Watertown Daily Times has been named Newspaper of the Year in its circulation category. All totaled, the Daily Times won awards in 35 different categories throughout the evening and those were culminated with the announcement it had won its division in the contest. Full text

07 03 TIMES BUILDING PURCHASED FOR TOWN SQUARE DEVELOPMENT

WHEREAS, the Redevelopment Authority extended an offer to purchase 115 W. Main Street from Times Publishing: James Clifford, Patricia Clifford, Ralph Krueger and Margaret Krueger, owners, and it was accepted on June 25 for $400,000; and,

WHEREAS, this property hosts one commercial tenant, Watertown Daily Times which is eligible for Relocation benefits under the aforementioned Relocation Plan and Adm. Chapter 92 of $265,000.

WHEREAS, the Redevelopment Authority for the City of Watertown approved the acquisition and relocation of the property at 115 W. Main Street at a special meeting on Monday, July 2, 2018.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WATERTOWN, WISCONSIN: Section 1. The Redevelopment Authority requests funding in the amount of $665,000 be transferred to the RDA to facilitate the acquisition and relocation of the property at 115 W. Main St. for the purposes of creating a town square in the downtown. Section 2. The above referenced acquisition is eligible expense within Tax Increment District #5. This request was approved at a special meeting of the Finance Committee for the City of Watertown on July 3, 2018.

12 04 WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES SOLD TO ADAMS PUBLISHING GROUP

The Watertown Daily Times and the Dodge County Independent News of Juneau have been purchased by Adams Publishing Group, a family-owned newspaper group owner with properties in a number of states, including several in Wisconsin. The ownership change is effective immediately.

The sale of the newspaper ends local ownership for the first time in its 123-year history, including the last 99 under the ownership of the Clifford family.

At the same time Brian Knox, president of W.D. Hoard & Sons Co., of Fort Atkinson, announced that the Jefferson County Daily Union and a number of area weekly newspapers owned by Hoard were also sold to the Adams group.

The Daily Times and the Daily Union date back to the 1800s. The Daily Times was founded on Nov. 23, 1895, by John W. Cruger and E. J. Schoolcraft. It has been in the ownership of the Clifford family since 1919. The Daily Union was founded in 1870 by William Dempster Hoard. It was later acquired by the William D. Knox family. Brian Knox, who has been publisher, has been named publisher emeritus of the paper. The Dodge County Independent News dates back to 1893 when it was formed by brothers John and Michael W. Clifford. John Clifford left ownership of the paper in 1906 when he was elected Dodge County clerk of courts.

John Clifford returned to the Juneau newspaper business 13 years later and then on Jan. 1, 1919, he purchased an interest in the Watertown Daily Times. The Daily Times has been owned by the Clifford family since that time.

2019

01 22 NO MORE CARRIERS

NOW ESSENTIALLY A MORNING NEWSPAPER

The Watertown Daily Times will be sent by mail starting January 28

A new delivery method as the paper transitions from carrier and motor route delivery to the U.S. Postal Service. In the long history of the Daily Times dating back nearly 125 years, the paper has been delivered by newspaper carriers and adult motor route drivers, but that system is no longer viable. The Daily Times will be sent electronically to the printing plant in Janesville late in the evening the day prior to publication. It will be printed and then distributed to all area post offices for delivery to customers that next day.

04 11 TOM SCHULTZ, LONG-TIME MANAGING EDITOR, RETIRES

Tom Schultz, managing editor of the Watertown Daily Times for 45 years and a full-time member of the newspaper's staff for nearly 53 years, has announced his upcoming retirement. His retirement date will come in the near future after the paper transitions to a new managing editor.

Schultz said, "I'm grateful to the Clifford family for the opportunities they afforded me over these many years. When John D. Clifford took me under his wing back in the 1960s, I was 'green,' to say the least, but he had the patience and apparently saw some potential. That commitment to me continued with Jim Clifford and his sister, Margaret Krueger, and now Jim's son, Kevin. I'm honored to have been affiliated with the paper for all these years."

James Clifford, publisher of the Daily Times since his father's death in 1987, said, "The Clifford family has been blessed with Tom running our newsroom for so many years. Tom has not only been our managing editor, but he was also a part of our management team. Our son, Kevin, Tom and I would often discuss management decisions, and what is best for our newspaper. We valued his opinion and advice over these many years. He really was a part of our Clifford family.

Robb Grindstaff, general manager of APG of Southern Wisconsin, said, "I've known Tom for several years now as the 'editor up the road' while I worked in Fort Atkinson. When our newspapers joined forces, I was ecstatic to have the chance to work with him. As it turned out, it wasn't long enough, but the opportunity to work with one of the best and longest-serving newspaper editors in the state of Wisconsin for a few months has been an absolute pleasure. He has served the Watertown Daily Times and its readers extraordinarily well over the years, and has been a guiding, calming influence during the transition to a new company in the recent months."

In 2017 and 2018, the Watertown Daily Times was named best in its circulation division and this year it finished with 27 awards and nearly won the top award for the third consecutive time.

Over the years Schultz has been a founder and is current president of the Watertown Area Community Foundation, and also a founder and continues as chairman of the annual Riverfest celebration, now in its 33rd year. He said he plans to continue in those capacities after retirement.

He is a past president and member of the Hall of Fame of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association; past president of the Wisconsin Associated Press Managing Editors Association; a 44-year director, past president and member of the Hall of Fame of the Wisconsin State Bowling Association, and is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

Schultz and his wife, Mary, will continue to live in Watertown. They have two married sons and four grandchildren they expect to see more often in the future.

04 16 SCOTT PETERSON APPOINTED MANAGING EDITOR

Scott Peterson, a veteran Milwaukee journalist, has been named managing editor of the Watertown Daily Times. Peterson succeeds Tom Schultz, longtime managing editor of the Times, who will officially retire from that position on Friday.

His appointment was announced by Robb Grindstaff, general manager for APG of Southern Wisconsin. Late last year the publishing group purchased the Daily Times from the Clifford family, which owned the paper for just short of 100 years.

Peterson has worked for 40 years in the newspaper industry, including nearly 30 years with Journal Communications and its successor companies. He is currently president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation.

He has spent the last two years working as an editor in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newsroom in downtown Milwaukee, after serving as editor-in-chief of the Waukesha-based Now News Group, which published 19 newspapers, two magazines and nine websites serving the suburban Milwaukee market. During that time, his newspapers earned more state, regional and national awards than any newsroom in Wisconsin for three straight years, including three national Eppy awards.

He spent much of his career in Hartland, as managing editor for Lake Country Publications, a group of weekly and twice-weekly newspapers serving Waukesha County. He also served as editor of the Hartford Times-Press early in his career.

Peterson, 61, and his wife, Nancy, have been married for more than 36 years and have two married children living in Wisconsin. In recent days they welcomed their first grandchild into the family. He is active in his church and has been a Rotarian for more than 30 years.

Peterson said, "I am so excited about this opportunity. I look forward to getting to know Watertown better. I have a few cousins who live in Watertown and my mother's family owned a laundry in the city until a few years after World War II," Peterson said. "It's an honor to succeed the legendary Tom Schultz, the hall-of-fame editor who has guided the Daily Times for a half century. I look forward to working with his hard-working and award-winning staff.

08 02 END OF AN ERA

Longtime Daily Times department heads were honored at a reception and dinner at the Watertown Country Club which was hosted by the Clifford family. Those attending included Ralph Krueger, Mark Kuehl, Greg Thrams, Mark Shingler, Kevin Clifford, Lori Uttech, Marg Krueger, Judy Kluetzman, Jim Clifford and Tom Schultz.

“In Times Square” column of 08 02 2019 online. Cannot link to without a subscription.

08 30 MOVE FROM 113-115 W. Main to 218 S. First

weekend of Sept 6-8, 2019

“In Times Square” column of 08 30 2019 online. Cannot link to without a subscription.

08 30 GEORGE KUCKKAN, 1928-2019

George Herbert Lester Kuckkan, 91, entered heaven on Aug. 30, 2019. George is survived by his wife Mary Kaye Kuckkan and four children: Karrie (Brent Aleshire), Patricia (Patrick Pearcy), Mary (Jay Costello), and Kevin (Missy) Kuckkan. George was preceded in death by parents Edward and Cora Kuckkan and brothers Harold, Edward, and Orville Kuckkan. George lived his entire 91 years in Watertown, Wis. He grew up in the Union Park neighborhood on South Monroe Street surrounded by lifelong neighborhood friends: the Stecklings, Kressins, Kruegers, Wades, Jaehrlings, and Schultzes.

He was the fourth of five boys and the first son to graduate from Watertown High School while his three older brothers fought in WWII. George then entered the National Guard where he served for nine years.

George enjoyed a 44-year career as the Circulation Manager of The Watertown Daily Times. He managed hundreds of teenagers and motor route drivers who served as newspaper carriers. George implemented subscription contests, played a key role in the Times’ expansion into rural areas, took photographs, and worked on special projects. He truly loved his work, greatly valued the many friendships of co-workers, and adored meeting with customers and engaging with carriers and their families.

09 30 CLIFFORDS’ ERA AT DAILY TIMES ENDS

This year would have marked the 100th anniversary of the Clifford family’s ownership of the Watertown Daily Times. There was, however, little in the way of celebration. The last of the clan with direct ties to the paper, Kevin Clifford, resigned this month to pursue other interests. He stayed on as director of audience development for a few months following the paper’s acquisition by Adams Publishing Group after 99 years of the Clifford’s at the helm.

Clifford started full-time in 1992, straight out of college, having graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Stout with a degree in Business Administration. Clifford was named general manager in the early 2000s. He was named associate publisher around 2012 and named editor and publisher in 2018.

Along with selling the newspaper, Clifford also negotiated with the city to buy the building that the newspaper was in and we had to find another building,” he said of the Daily Times new offices in the historic, former Archie Monuments factory at 218 S. First St.

Times Publishing Co. stills owns Wepco Printing on South Sixth Street.

2020

01 24 WDT ARCHIVE RELOCATED TO SCHEMPF BUILDING

WATERTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS CARETAKER

A real historical treasure of the Watertown Daily Times has been the nearly complete collection of newspaper’s editions, dating back to the first issue on Nov. 23, 1895. Since that first issue came off the press on that Saturday afternoon

125 years ago, the newspaper has not missed a day of publication. Some years ago the Saturday edition was eliminated, but the paper continues on a Monday through Friday basis to this day (except holidays, of course).

With this year being the 125th anniversary of the start of the Daily Times, it’s hard to imagine just how many editions have been published.

The editions have been preserved in bound books and were kept in the “morgue” in the basement of the old Daily Times building at 113 W. Main St. But, with that building and others being sold to the city for a new development and the Daily Times moving to a much smaller office on South First Street, there just wasn’t space in the new building to house those bound volumes.

Well, through the generosity of Bill Lindborg, owner of the Schempf building that now houses Pitter Patter Paws and other businesses on the south side of Main Street between Second and Third streets, the volumes are now stored in the lower level of that building.

Some old news files, photos and other historical files are also stored in that area and will be kept safe. Caretaker for those historical items is the Watertown Historical Society.

New shelving had to be constructed and had to be made sturdy to hold the weight of all those editions. Now, all the books are stored in chronological order. Bill is also taking steps to improve the area where the books are stored. The historical society is grateful for Bill’s help in offering this new home for the newspaper archives.

Bill is a big supporter of our local historical society and Watertown’s history in particular and when the storage problem for these volumes came up Bill immediately stepped up to the plate and offered his lower level facilities for their storage.

The bound volumes are invaluable from a historical perspective, but with today’s technology there are different, and, in many cases, more efficient ways to research old articles.

Since 1990 the Daily Times has placed digital copies of all editions in a “digital and searchable” format in the form of disks that can be read on computers.

All editions are also placed on microfilm and can be searched that way. The Watertown Public Library has microfilm copies of all the papers and it also has an excellent microfilm reader/printer which allows a printed copy of articles for just a few dimes.

So, this important part of Watertown history has been preserved and will continue to be an important part of our community.

WDTimes Square column by Tom Schultz

2022

09 30 SCOTT PETERSON RETIRES AS MANAGING EDITOR

12 01 O’CONNOR RETURNS TO WATERTOWN TO LEAD DAILY TIMES

Watertown High School graduate Brian O’Connor is the new managing editor of the Watertown Daily Times and Daily Jefferson County Union.

Adams Publishing Group of Southern Wisconsin hired O’Connor in November.

Regional executive editor Jim Ferolie has been acting editor for two months, conducting a nationwide search to succeed Scott Peterson, who retired in September after four years leading both newsrooms.

O ’Connor arrives at the Daily Times and Daily Union after a year as the lead content editor for “No-Till Farmer” and other agriculture-focused titles at Lessiter Media in Brookfield.

O’Connor has about a decade of print journalism experience. He completed his college internship at the Daily Times in summer 2002 before graduating from Marquette University in 2005 with a degree in political science and journalism.

12 16 RALPH KRUEGER, 1941-2022

Lake Mills, WI - Ralph Krueger, 81, of Lake Mills, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Friday, December 16, 2022 at University Hospital in Madison.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 21, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Watertown. Burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery.

Hafemeister Funeral and Cremation Service is serving the family.

Ralph Harold Krueger was born August 9, 1941 in Watertown, son of Harold and Mabel (Schimelpfenig) Krueger. He attended kindergarten at the old Douglas School, and St. John’s Lutheran School through eighth grade. He was a 1959 graduate of Watertown High School where he lettered in football, basketball, track and baseball. In 1964 he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in business and a minor in history.

Ralph was a business teacher for 13 years at the former Custer High School in Milwaukee. In 1965, he was the first teacher at Custer High School to head the school-to-work program which started in the Milwaukee School District that year. He was head cross country coach, leading teams to state several times. He was also assistant track coach at the school. He loved coaching and kept in touch with several of his students up until the time of his death.

He joined the advertising staff of the Watertown Daily Times in 1977 when the family moved to Watertown. He was named business manager of the newspaper in 1984 and served in that capacity for 24 years until his retirement in 2007.

He married the former Margaret Ann Clifford on August 7, 1965 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Watertown and celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary this year. Many wonderful family memories were made at the cottage in Lake Mills, and in 2004 they relocated there. He and his wife were marshals of the Watertown Fourth of July Parade in 2007.

Throughout his life Ralph was passionate about serving others. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Watertown where he formerly volunteered to escort residents to church services at nursing homes. He was a member of the Watertown Lions Club for over 30 years. Over the years, he received several awards and was involved in many community and fund-raising projects for the club. He was most proud of volunteering as a dispatcher and transporter of eye tissue to the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin in Madison to provide the gift of sight to those in need. He received a Dedicated Dispatcher Award from the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin in 2018. He was a member of the Watertown Country Club for over 40 years. He was a volunteer for Rainbow Hospice, Your Friends in Action, Meals on Wheels, and Marquardt Manor.

Also known as the “Cookie Grandpa”, he could often be found in his kitchen baking cookies and bread which he would share with family, friends, neighbors and the ROC Youth Center. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren both in Wisconsin and while spending winters in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Another highlight of being in New Smyrna Beach was a daily cribbage game with friends. For years, he also played cribbage daily online as a way to stay in touch with far away friends and family. Whether online or in person, he loved connecting and spending time with people while playing cards. He loved to golf and enjoyed playing with groups of friends both in Wisconsin and Florida. He and his wife enjoyed taking many trips around the world. He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, UW-Madison Badgers, Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers.

Above all, he was devoted to his family. He was happiest when his family was together, and seldom missed a sporting event or activity of his children or grandchildren. His family has many fond memories of boat rides and time spent at Rock Lake with him.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; two daughters, Kelly (Thomas) Smilanich and Lisa Ruth Krueger; two grandchildren, Matthew (Danielle) Smilanich and Sarah (Jack) O’Keefe; two sisters, Shirley (Wayne) Kuckkahn and Shelby Erdmann; one sister-in-law, Donna Krueger; and nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Dale, and one brother-in-law, Jack Erdmann.

Image Portfolio

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Cross References:

Watertown Gazette, James Moore

Forty-Eighters: Builders of Watertown, pg 25

Regina E. Kottwitz, 1920-2008, 20-plus year employee

Michael A. Began [1861-1915], wrote articles for Watertown newspapers under non-de-plume of “Herm Hartvorker”

A wisely conducted newspaper is like a banquet

Table of Contents

History of Watertown, Wisconsin

Index