website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Maerzke Family
and
Oscar Maerzke Home
809 N
Fourth
Frederick
Maerzke, wagon-maker, Sixth Ward, Dodge Co.; born in
Prussia March 21, 1827; came to America in 1852; lived in Milwaukee one year
and a half; came to Watertown in 1854; commenced wagon-maker’s trade when only
14 years of age; he was five terms Alderman of the Sixth Ward; he was a member
of the I.O.O.F. On May 27, 1867, he was
married to Mary Ann, daughter of John Habhegger; she
was born in Switzerland July 13, 1840, and died in February, 1877; seven
children survived her – Philipp, Frederick, Jr., Charles, Oscar, Sophia and
Lina; lost one son and a daughter.
Buried
in Oak Hill
cemetery.
Derived
in part from “The History of Jefferson
County, Wisconsin”, published: Chicago:
Western Historical Company, 1879.
Oscar Maerzke Home
A Brief History of the Oscar Maerzke House
This
home was built in 1912 for Oscar Maerzke, a
widely-known Watertown resident. He at
one time operated the Maerzke Pigeon Hatchery and later
was partnered in the business with former Watertown mayor Charles Lutovsky. The
business eventually became the Watertown
Squab Company [1107 N Fourth]. Oscar
was a native of Watertown and was born on September 1, 1874.
Oscar
lived in this neighborhood at various locations. City directory entries show him in 1902 at
605 East Division Street, 1907-1912 at 811 North Fourth, and taking occupancy
in 1913 at 809 North Fourth. Oscar had
this home built while he lived next door at 811 N. Fourth. He lived here with his wife and two
daughters. Oscar lived here from 1912
until his death in 1944, at the age of 69.
_________________________________________
Fredrick
MAERZKE, Born 21 March 1828. Married
Maria Anna HABHEGGER 7 May 1861 and Died 8 May 1901. He’s buried at Oak
Hill cemetery in Watertown.
His
notice of intention to become a US Citizen dated April 1855 renounces
allegiance to Frederic William IV King of Prussia and is signed by the Clerk of
the Municipal Court of Watertown. His 14
March 1877 Citizenship papers state that he entered the Port of New York on or
about the month of August 1852.
His
Registration of Marriage to second wife, Alice HAGEN dated 30 Dec 1879 lists
Germany as his birthplace and names Martin MAERTZKE as his father and
Wilhelmine MAERTZKE as his mother.
Frederick
MAERZKE’s Death Certificate (Signed by C. J. HABHEGGGER) says he was white,
male, Caucasian, a wagon maker, 74 years, 1 month and 19 days of age and lists
Wm MAERZKE as his father, that he was born in Germany on 21 March 1827, died 8
May 1901 of heart failure, that he resided at 1031 N 4th St, Watertown, Wis.
Located
next to Blumenfeld Home
Fred J. Maerzke
1945
Watertown Daily Times, 12 17 1945; article
includes pic
Fred J. Maerzke Dies Here
Sunday
Was Outstanding Bowler
Fred J. Maerzke, who ranked with the foremost bowlers of his time,
died last evening at his home, 125 North Water Street after a heart
attack. His death was sudden and
unexpected.
Mr. Maerzke was born in Watertown on April 14, 1893, a son of
the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred C. Maerzke and spent his
entire life here. On April 12, 1915, he
married Miss Elsie Schubert of Milwaukee.
She survives. An only son, Robert
Maerzke, died in 1938.
There
are two sisters who survive, Mrs. M. J. Heinz, Appleton, and Mrs. Hugo Tobian, Milwaukee.
Mr. Maerzke was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran church. He was also a member of Watertown lodge No. 830, Loyal Order
of Moose, Lincoln lodge No. 20, Knights of Pythias and the Calanthe club.
Mr. Maerzke
operated the West Side alleys for many years, a
business which his father had also operated in his time.
He
took to bowling early and developed into one of the best bowlers ever produced
in Wisconsin. Some sports writers ranked
him among the best bowlers in the nation in his heyday. He made many appearances and took part in
many tournaments and helped carry the name of Watertown far and wide in bowling
circles.
Mr. Maerzke was a man who had many friends here and in other
cities where he was known and where he had appeared.
1955
THE HISTORIC OSCAR MAERZKE HOME
City assessor image
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin