website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Charles David's Sons
Founded 1897
Charles David, Sr
1873 - 1958
Four
Generations of Community Service
1895
Quality
lasts a long time—which is why Charles David's Sons, Inc. has been in business
since 1895. For over a century
generations of local families have depended on this mainstay business in the
heart of downtown Watertown, Wisconsin.
The
store was originally established as a paint store and painting contractor by
Charles David, grandfather of present owner John David. Born in Watertown, John worked in his
father’s store as a teenager before leaving to attend Indiana University. He taught U.S. history at Watertown High
School for several years before joining the family business in 1972. He also served as mayor of Watertown from
2001-2007.
c.1905
Dec CHARLES DAVID, PAINTER & DECORATOR
Wall Paper, Window Shades, Paints,
Glass and Oils
c.1910
c.1912
CHARLES DAVID, 306
E. Madison
c.1920
JOHN DANNER, FRIEND OF CHARLES DAVID
Was a painter and sign artist
04 16 CHARLES DAVID SIGNAGE, AT TURNER HALL
1931
08 25 DAVID'S BECAME AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR MAUTZ
2001
Cross reference note: Mautz
Paint Company
CLEVELAND
- The Sherwin-Williams Co. announced the acquisition of substantially all of
the assets of Mautz Paint Co., a
regional manufacturer of architectural paints based in Madison, WI. Mautz Paint, founded
in 1922, is a well-known manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of paint and
paint-related products, and operates 33 stores in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota,
Illinois and Indiana. The stores sell
architectural coatings under the Mautz brand name to professional
and do-it-yourself customers. Sherwin-Williams said the Mautz
stores will continue to operate under the Mautz name
and sell Mautz branded products.
2022
Cross reference note: Mautz
Paint Company
The
900 block of East Washington Avenue in Madison was the site of the Mautz Paint Company dating back to 1922. Mautz Paint started
as a local paint store on upper State Street.
The company grew to a large regional paint supplier and was owned by a
pioneering Madison family.
Mautz was a
vibrant company that would still be here today if not for a calamity in the
early 2000s. A lawsuit from the city of
Milwaukee alleging lead paint used in many older buildings caused harm and
singled Mautz out as the bad guy. All paint prior to the 1960s had lead additive. Mautz was
stunned. They could not absorb the legal
fees of extensive litigation and sold their business to Sherwin Williams in
2001.
1937
01 04 AUTO PAINT SHOP DESTROYED BY FIRE
A disastrous fire the first of the week at Watertown destroyed the auto
paint shop of Chas. David Sons, on Madison Street, entailing a loss of $4000 to
$5000. Paul David, one of the members of
the firm, is a son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Tuschen, of North Bristol.
The blaze, which started in the shop,
was discovered shortly after 1 o'clock, and an alarm was turned in. The entire fire department force was called
out and battled the blaze for four and a half hours. Several automobiles, huge quantities of oils
and paints were destroyed, the oils adding to the fierceness of the blaze. Several firemen were overcome by the
fumes. They revived when taken out. of
doors. Firemen were able to keep the
blaze within the confines of thee shop proper, preventing its spread to the
store at the front of the -establishment and from nearly buildings.
c.1945
-- -- NIMM, GIESE & JUDERJAHN
Francis
Nimm, glass worker; Joe Giese, helper; Peter Juderjahn, painter.
Francis Nimm
(1920–2014) worked at Charles David’s Sons paint store for over 60
years.
1950
Curved windshields in stock
c.1955
11 17 CHARLES DAVID, SR, 1873-1958
Charles
David, Sr., 85, founder of the Charles David's Sons paint and decorating store
at
Mr.
David, who was one of the city's most widely known businessmen, founded the
store 61 years ago and until recent years was active in its operation. He was born in Watertown on
Surviving
are a daughter, Mrs. Harry Manning, route 2, Juneau; three sons, Alvin,
Milwaukee, and Charles and Paul David who now operate the family business in
Watertown. There are 17 grandchildren
and eight great-grandchildren. There is
one sister, Mrs. Joseph Nimm, Route 6.
He was
preceded in death by a daughter, Mrs. Leona Manning, and a sister, Miss Mary
David. Mr. David was a member of St.
Henry's Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society and the Plattdeutscher Verein.
As a
business man Mr. David followed a high code of ethics. He was a man of Christian principles and high
ideals. Despite his advancing years he
continued to take an interest in the business and visited the store
frequently. He had many friends
throughout the area. He had numerous
hobbies, among them nature and a love for the great outdoors.
The
funeral will take place from the Boyle Funeral Home with services in St.
Henry's Church, the Very Rev. A. J. Herrmann officiating. Interment in St.
Henry's Cemetery.
The
parish and Ushers Society rosary will be said at the funeral home. The Holy Name Society will join in the rosary
Wednesday evening and will hold its regular meeting after that. WDT
c.1960
1963
MAUTZ RUBBER SATIN
Charles Jr. and Paul David
1964
DOLLY WETZEL
c.1984
NORA DAVID
1987
JOHN DAVID
1988
JERRY & JOHN DAVID, OZZIE BEAL
ROGER BLOCK
FRANCIS NIMM & DON ZUBKE
Setting windshield
1991
-- -- DEMOLITION OF 310 E. MADISON
1997
04 10 GRAND OPENING OF
REMODELED STORE
Charles
David's Sons Inc. will celebrate the grand opening of its remodeled facilities
from Saturday, April 19, through Saturday, April 26. Specials will be offered and door prizes will
be given. The business, located at
2006
11 21 TOP ART GALLERY &
CUSTOM FRAME SHOP
Charles David's Sons Inc has been named one of the top 100 art gallery
and custom frame shop companies in the country by Decor Magazine.
Every
year Decor, a major art and framing trade publication, hosts its Top 100 Art
and Framing Retailers Award contest, which is sponsored by Tru
Vue, the leading supplier of picture framing glass products. The contest is
designed to recognize the most successful retailers in the art and framing
industry.
This
marks the first time Charles David's Sons received this honor, said Nora David,
an employee with the company. Besides
David, Yvonne Werth and Jennifer Wolfe are the other employees who work in the
framing department for Charles David's Sons. David has been a nationally
certified picture framer for about 10 years.
WDT
2013
12 11 PROMOTIONAL VIDEO
Created by James McKeever, a student at Maranatha Baptist Bible College.
2023
04 01 JOHN DAVID<>
1948-2023
John
P. David, 75, a lifelong resident of Watertown passed away peacefully on
Saturday, April 1, 2023 at home surrounded by his loving family. John was born on January 8, 1948, the son of
Paul and Cecile (Tuschen). He married his college
sweetheart, Nora Beth Moritz, on July 3, 1969. Link to obit
Cross
References:
Irene Michelt
[1910-2003] had been employed as a bookkeeper at Charles David's Sons.
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin