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Watertown Daily Times, 02 14 1994
Brian and Janet Dopke, new owners of Expedition Supply, have planned some changes for the business which sells bicycles, exercise equipment, and cross country and downhill ski equipment. The business, located at 402 E. Main St., was recently purchased from Mark Ritter who started it seven years ago. “We want to focus on the adult bicycle market and thoroughly cover the family bicycle market,” said Brian Dopke. New products carried at the store include standard adult tricycles, performance tricycles with up to seven speeds, wheelchair trike, wheelchair trike with exercise bike, recumbent bicycles, and ReTrikes for teen-agers who need rehabilitation.
Slaughtering Houses
Watertown Republican, 06 11 1890
A special meeting of the Board of Street Commissioners Monday evening. Health officer having given notice to the butchers that slaughtering within the city shall be discontinued, the following communication from the butchers of the city was read:
We, the undersigned butchers of the city of Watertown, having been notified by the health officer to stop slaughtering within the city from and after June 15, or we would be prosecuted, would respectfully petition your honorable body to designate a place where we could do our slaughtering, and we would call attention to Sec. 8, of a city ordinance in relation to nuisances and also to Sec. 1,418 of the revised statutes of 1878.
On motion of Com. Eaton the health officer was requested to withdraw his notice and proceed on and after June 15 against all butchers who did not keep their premises in a clean and healthy condition.
Watertown Republican, 06 04 1890
The census enumerators began their work in this city Monday, armed with blanks and prepared to complete the tasks within thirty days. Five men will do the work in this city and in Milwaukee eighty- three will be required. In Milwaukee the work of enumeration is to be completed within two weeks. To provide against the trouble in parts of his district in having the enumerators recognized by citizens, Mr. Rambusch, the census supervisor, has furnished badges at his own expense. The general office of the bureau for this district is located in one of the rooms of the United States Marshal Wiswell’s office, Milwaukee, where reports be made and records kept during the canvas.
Watertown Republican, 05 28 1890
Dr. N. P. Valerius will start for Europe within a few days intending to be away several months. He will visit England, Ireland, Scotland and perhaps Germany before returning. During his travels he will make large purchases of horses for the establishment of Dr. Valerius & Co.
Grossenbach
Watertown Gazette, 05 23 1890
A few days since two slick individuals representing themselves as Grossenbach, the fruit man, of Milwaukee, and his agent, swindled some of our fruit dealers out of quite a sum of money. First, they went around and took orders for fruit to be sent from Grossenbach's commission house, Milwaukee, at a very low figure, then they sent their order to Grossenbach, signing name of party here who ordered the fruit of them. The fruit was shipped here with bill, which on examination our fruit dealers found the prices greatly in excess of what the slick individuals sold at, and as they remained here until the fruit arrived and then made the rounds again, the fruit dealers called their attention to the excess in charges. The assumed Grossenbach fixed up matters by accepting in payment just what he sold at, received the cash and receipted the bills, then skipped the city. In a few days our fruit dealers discovered that they had been imposed upon and had to pay the bills over again.
House Numbers
Watertown Republican, 05 21 1890
Al Bruegger is engaged in the good work undertaken by the city of putting up the street signs so that the wayfaring man may not err in finding a location. Now let us have the houses numbered.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 19 2009
A grand opening will be held for a new club, the Buzz Bar, 110 S. Third St., Watertown, on Saturday with entertainment at 9:30 p.m. The Buzz Bar is the former location of RJ Waters Pub. The bar will be open seven days a week with live entertainment five nights a week. Entertainment will include karaoke, DJs and live bands. Entertainment for the grand opening will feature a Cheap Trick tribute band called Cheap Rick. The grand opening will also include door prizes and drink specials. There will be no cover charge. Owners Chris and Tara Selke, of Watertown, have over 20 years experience in the entertainment industry.
301 E. Main St.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 02 1994
A restaurant and sports bar will open in downtown Watertown in late February or early March. Benny Iljazi said he and his partner, brother-in-law Joe Islami, hope to complete their remodeling of the former Ben Franklin store, 301 E. Main St., in time for opening at the end of this month. “The cold weather is hurting the construction,” Iljazi said, noting that the entire building is being remodeled “from wall-to-wall” including a completely new kitchen area. When the partners first announced their plans last year, they were planning a restaurant similar to their current business, the Around the Lakes Family Restaurant in Oconomowoc.
Watertown Daily Times, 03 14 1994
Downtown Watertown’s newest restaurant and bar, JB’s Sports Bar, opens its doors today after an extensive remodeling of its location at Main and Third streets. Former customers of the Ben Franklin Store, 301 E. Main St., won’t recognize the interior, which has been transformed into a sports fan’s dream, including 24 televisions capable of receiving 280 channels via two satellite dishes on the roof. Joe Islami, who owns the restaurant along with brother-in-law Benny Iljazi, said the bar will be an ideal location to catch the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, which starts this week. “This will be the best place to watch it in Watertown,” he said.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 11 2009
About 120 years ago a woman named Clara Weiss commissioned the construction of a building in downtown Watertown to sell her specially designed hats and dresses. Today the building has been refurbished and in her memory it is called Clara’s Antiques. Tina and Scott Nelson, of Watertown, purchased the building at 100 E. Main St. about 14 years ago and slowly began renovating it with help from their two sons, Benjamin and Dustin and other family and friends. Through the years they learned more about Weiss and the bank that was added to the hat seller’s building. The Nelsons have been operating their music store, Fox Music Company, for 12 years in the building and just last year opened the antique store.
Watertown Daily Times, 09 28 1993
Elmer Hose hung up his barber’s shears this week, and his roller skates are going to have to stay in storage for awhile too. Hose, 75, is retiring after over 40 years as a barber. He has operated Hose’s Barber Shop at 102 S. Fourth St. for 34 years. He is not ready to quit, but his knees are — they can’t take the long hours of standing anymore. He is scheduled for surgery on one of his bad knees. “Barbering has been lots of fun and customers have been real good to me. Lots of them have died. Some said, ‘Hose, I hope you don’t quit’ — but you got to sometime. I had real good people, even the kids,” he reminisced while sitting in the barber’s chair he purchased new in 1959.
The 25th annual Holiday Parade of Homes, sponsored by the Watertown Main Street Program, included the residence of Pete Charles and Keri Klein, 119 N. Church St.
The 1902 Victorian style home was originally the treasured home of John Thauer, who spared no expense in the striking details he built in the home. Unfortunately, over many years after his death, this once impressive home fell into a complete state of disrepair, particularly after being remodeled into a duplex. The downward spiral even included the destruction of a grand staircase. Charles and Klein purchased the home in September 2017 and set to work to transform the home back to its original grandeur of a time gone by. Most of the home’s original features remained intact but needed to be refreshed, including original leaded glass, picture windows, a butler’s pantry, original built cherry striped hardwood flooring. The restoration features a newly built grand staircase that ascends to the third floor.
Rope Walker Falls onto Main Street
Watertown Republican, 05 21 1890
A rope walker with a Spanish cognomen of Granada “lit" in among us Wednesday afternoon and strung his rope from the Racek building across Main Street to the Schempfs block. In the evening while making “one of the greatest efforts of his life” along the rope he lost his balance and fell. In his descent he struck the electric light wires and alighted on the ground. His fall was about 35 feet. He limped into Eberle's drug store and was found that although considerably bruised and shaken up, no bones were broken. Restoratives were applied and the aerial performer was made as comfortable as possible. Granada left for Jefferson the next day.
Sportsmen’s Barber Shop
Watertown Daily Times, 02 28 1969
Richard Rumary will take over the operation of Dave’s Barber Shop, on Saturday, March 1. The name of the business will be changed to Sportsmen’s Barber Shop. Rumary came to Watertown in August of 1962 and was employed at the barber shop on Main Street owned by Leith Poole and later the Downtown Barber Shop operated by Donald Cowen. Previous to coming to Watertown Rumary was employed as a barber in New Richmond for four years. A native of Jefferson, he graduated from Jefferson High School. He received his barber training at Eau Claire Barber College in Eau Claire.
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Watertown Daily Times, 04 11 2009
For the past 36 years Gregory Taylor made many friends while listening, talking and cutting hair at his barber shop in Watertown. On Monday, Taylor closed the Sportsmen's Barber Shop after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. "I fell in love with barbering," Taylor said. "Over the years my customers and I would talk about anything and if we didn't know something, we made it up. Really, my business was in listening, but I do have the gift of gab." Taylor went to high school in Mount Horeb where his guidance counselor suggested the barbering field to him. After graduation he attended Madison Area Technical College barber school in Madison. When he started looking for a job he headed north of Madison and decided he didn't want to work in Sun Prairie so he switched directions and came across the Sportsmen's Barber Shop located on [215] North Fourth Street in Watertown. He knew it was the right fit and started work a few days later. He is an avid outdoors man and enjoys all types of hunting. Taylor worked with the owner of the shop, Richard Rumary, until 2002 when Rumary sold the business to Taylor.
Pick ‘n Save Expansion and Remodeling
Watertown Daily Times, 08 31 1993
A $3 million expansion and remodeling of the Pick ‘n Save store in Watertown will begin in September, according to officials of Mega Marts Inc., the firm that purchased the store earlier this year. The project will nearly double the store’s layout, expanding the facility to 64,000 square feet, thus making it the largest food store in Dodge and Jefferson counties, according to store officials. Also, 50 jobs will be added as a result of the expansion. “We are committed to Watertown,” said Gary L. Fryda, Mega Marts president and chief operating officer. “We want the people of Watertown to know this is their store. There will be no reason to travel outside the city for groceries and many other goods and services.”
Pfister-Pontiac-Cadillac
Watertown Daily Times, 07 07 1967
One of Watertown’s well-known business establishments has changed hands. Announcement was made today that King-Hintz, Inc., 216 South Third Street, Pontiac and Cadillac dealer, has been sold to Ralph D. Pfister, 38, New Berlin, who for the last 15 years has been associated with the Pontiac Division of General Motors. The new ownership will operate the business under the name of Pfister-Pontiac-Cadillac. The new dealer has represented the Pontiac Division in many capacities. From 1955 to 1957 he was service adjuster, dealing with claims and owner relationship cases; from 1957 to 1958 he was service representative, in the Milwaukee zone; from 1959 to 1962 he was Madison district manager; and from 1963 to 1984 he was Milwaukee district manager; and from 1964 to the present time he was office manager in Milwaukee and distributor.
Pfister Pontiac-Cadillac-Buick
Watertown Daily Times, 05 09 1969
Earle Olson announced today the sale of Olson Buick-Opel Sales, 320 Summit Avenue to Ralph Pfister, owner and operator of Pfister Pontiac-Cadillac Sales and Service at 216 South Third Street. The new ownership will operate the business under the name of Pfister Pontiac-Cadillac-Buick, Inc. The agency will handle, in addition to Buick, Pontiac and Cadillac cars, Opel cars and G.M.C. trucks. The new owner will also continue to handle Enco products. All new and used cars will be moved to the new location at 320 Summit Avenue immediately, Mr. Pfister said. The service department will be moved as soon as the hoist and all equipment can be transferred.
Watertown Daily Times, 06 06 1967
Ten of this year’s Exhausted Roosters of the Watertown Chapter of the Jaycees attended last night’s annual Exhausted Roosters night held at the Plattdeutscher Verein Hall. The ten, who joined the rank of ex-members of the Jaycees because they have reached the age of 35, are Ron Nass, Henry Byhre, Vernon Behl, Ken Robillard, Richard Conley, Rick Etteldorf, Del Hintzmann, Bob Lessner, Dr. Harold E. Magnan Jr., and Ralph Christian. The 11th member of the group, D. B. Draginis was not able to be present.
Glanders
Watertown Republican, 01 15 1890
Thursday last, State Veterinarian Atkinson, of Milwaukee, visited the Mead farm, town of Watertown, and decided that the two horses owned by E. A. Lyman were affected with glanders, and by virtue of the power invested in him, condemned the animals to be killed. Justice Stacy appointed S. S. Woodard, C. H. Perry and S. E. Randall, appraisers; and under their direction in conjunction with P. Boetcher, health officer of the town of Watertown, the horses were accordingly shot yesterday. WR
Watertown Republican, 06 18 1890
State Veterinary Atkinson was in the city Friday on business connected with his office. He found that the case of glanders reported to him in the Third ward was not a clear case of the disease and it was recommended that the animal be watched closely, awaiting further developments. Several cases of lump jaw in cattle reported to him by Health Officer P. C. Werner, proved to be affected as surmised and orders were given for the animals to be killed, which will be done by due process of law. It appears that lump jaw is not unusual in cattle this season, and there is danger of butchers killing such cattle without being aware of the presence of the disease. There should be every precaution taken against having such meat offered for sale in our markets. WR
Watertown Gazette, 04 11 1890
The "glorious” Easter morn was ushered in with a
gloomy accompaniment of rain, a leaden sky overhead and mud and water under
foot.
It was far from an ideal Easter day, but the atmospheric
conditions seemed to have no appreciable effect on the sentiment of the
people. The devotional enthusiasm of the church goers was not dampened in
the least, to judge by the attendance at the various churches.
There were the customary appropriate services at all the
churches, the general theme being the resurrection of Christ, with the usual
elaborate music and tasteful floral decorations.
St. Bernard's church was beautifully adorned with trailing
vines, potted plants, cut flowers and a large floral cross, the latter being
very handsome, and the gift of one who is ever generous to St. Bernard's.
The decorations in several of the other churches in the city were also very fine.
Watertown Gazette, 03 21 1890
It appears that a special effort Is being made to defeat George Weber for alderman in the 1st ward, and that too by democrats of whom George deserves better treatment. George has always been one of the most ardent supporters of the democratic party, and during the last presidential campaign was captain of our young men’s Cleveland and Thurman club, and did much to help swell the handsome democratic majority that Watertown gave for the democratic national ticket in 1888. George is an honest, hardworking citizen, and a tax-payer, is intelligent and capable to fill the office which he had been nominated, and he should at least receive the vote of every democrat in his ward.
Sunday a Rest Day
Watertown Republican, 02 26 1890
There is an agitation going on among our merchants in favor of closing their places of business on Sunday. No movement more to the credit of the city can be made than this one and let us hope it will be carried forward to a successful issue. Clerks, no less than other people, require a rest of one day in seven.
Watertown’s Architectural Heritage
Watertown Daily Times, 03 21 2009
A new initiative to promote Watertown’s architectural heritage aimed specifically at historic houses is being unveiled by the city of Watertown Historic Preservation and Downtown Design Commission. The commission recently completed work on a prototype residential historic marker plaque that it hopes will soon adorn the facades of many, if not all, of Watertown’s historic houses. The decorative wooden plaques would be personalized for each residence to include the historical name of the home — whether it be the original owner, builder, or named for a family that lived there for many years — and a construction date. The 22-inch-by-11-inch plaques also will feature a color image of the city’s unofficial 1853 steam engine logo.
Barbwire Fences
Watertown Republican, 02 26 1890
Mr. Editor: There ought to be some care on the part of citizens as to placing barbwire fences anywhere along sidewalks. A puff of wind may blow a lady’s dress skirts against it to their serious injury (as has been recently twice done by one on the west side); and an accidental trip and fall might easily throw the luckless pedestrian against the barbs to the endangering of even life.
Winter of 1890
Watertown Republican, 03 05 1890
The snow storm which set in early Thursday afternoon did not terminate until Friday noon, it snowing incessantly for nearly twenty-four hours. The snow averaged from 18 inches to 2 feet on the level, the heaviest fall in one storm since the memorable storms in February and March, 1881. Our first spring month was ushered in with a decided winter feeling and outlook, Saturday the thermometer registering five degrees below zero. We are now enjoying the only good run of sleighing during the entire winter. Sunday morning the mercury recorded 25 degrees below zero, not only the coldest record of this season, but we believe the coldest ever known for March in this latitude.
Gruner Office Supply and Book Store Opened
Watertown Daily Times, 08 19 1937
The Gruner Office Supply and Book store, located at 305 Madison Street, is now open for business.
The new establishment will deal in a complete office supply service, stationery, greeting cards of wide selections avid personal stationery. There will also be a rental library and book service to meet all needs.
The store will also do mimeographing of all kinds and invites inspection of its stock and supplies and a trial of its service.
KILL H!M!
Watertown Gazette, 02 28 1890
Who is the "wag that has sent a postal card to this office reading as follows:
When do I get the grippe. If the depo Houses move away what will their number be. If they are burnt down they may burn up Who can tell unless it may be D. Griffin I wrote Mr. Mikecormick if the steel in the mouer could reduce the time to ½ minit dont trow any more stones at the depo house till he ansurs my letter. If my house is numberd will those who promise to pay me come around instead of the tramps. Send this to mikecormick so he can try & make a mouer in ½ minit, before they take the tariff from Potatoes, old subscriber.
Charline Marie “Chee Chee” Wallman
1924-2019
Charline Marie “Chee Chee” Wallman, 94, passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2019, with her family at her side. She strongly persevered and continued to live life to the fullest extent possible during the past six months of hospice care. She was born on Nov. 4, 1924, to Charles Chesterfield and Marie Genevieve (Maher) Moore in Pelham, New York. Chee Chee spent her childhood there, in the New York City suburbs of New Rochelle and Bronxville, and at Stony Acres in Westport, Connecticut, then later in Manhattan and Greenwich Village.
Chee Chee attended Southern Seminary in the Blue Ridge Mountains area of Buena Vista, Virginia. She graduated from secondary school at Linden Hall, Lititz, Pennsylvania, and graduated with a degree in fashion merchandising from Finch College in the Upper East Side of New York City.
At the end of World War II, Chee Chee welcomed home returning veterans at New York Harbor and volunteered at a local military canteen.
Chee Chee worked in the early days of ABC (the American Broadcasting Company) in New York, for Specialty Salesman magazine and at her father’s advertising agency, Moore and Hamm. She was a sales representative at the designer dress boutique of B. Altman and Company on Fifth Avenue, and was a marketing researcher for the fashion industry trade journal, Women’s Wear Daily, the sister publication of today’s fashion magazine, “W.”
Chee Chee met Charles J. Wallman on a blind date in Chicago and became his Honey Girl from then on. They were married on Flag Day, June 14, 1952, at Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Catholic Church in Winnetka, Illinois.
For 25 years, Chee Chee operated the Fitting Room as a sales consultant for Doncaster, Inc., of North Carolina, and was recognized with multiple regional sales awards, and consistently ranked in the top 15% of sales representatives throughout the country.
Chee Chee authored a weekly fashion column featuring local models for the Watertown Daily Times and taught fashion courses at Madison Area Technical College-Watertown.
She was active in politics for many years, attending the inaugural ball of Wisconsin Gov. Warren P. Knowles, and was invited to President Richard M. Nixon’s inaugural gala in Washington, D.C.
She was a longtime member of the League of Women Voters, and was a chairperson for Wisconsin’s Women for Nixon campaign organization, and worked on the campaign of David Keene, future presidential adviser and president of the NRA. She was extremely proud to be her son Jeff’s chairperson in his Wallman for Assembly campaign when he was a 24-year-old Democratic candidate in Dodge County.
In 2003, Chee Chee was recognized for her strength as a melanoma cancer survivor and as volunteer and board member for the Watertown Women’s Center with the Champions of Women’s Health Award by former Wisconsin first lady Sue Ann Thompson, president and founder of the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation.
She was a dedicated volunteer and board member of the Jefferson County Cancer Society and also volunteered at the Watertown Memorial Hospital.
She was on the board of education at St. Bernard’s Catholic School, the St. Bernard’s Catholic Parish board and was a parish Cub Scout den mother. She also volunteered as an elementary school reading assistant and with Meals on Wheels.
Chee Chee was an original member of the Watertown social group, 30 Over 30, a member of the Watertown Country Club for over 60 years and a member of the same bridge and book clubs for decades.
In her youth, Chee Chee played basketball, and was active in fencing, polo and horseback riding. She loved swimming and boating with her brother Phil and friends at her family’s summer cottage at Candlewood Lake in Connecticut. As an adult, Chee Chee enjoyed her rose garden, knitting, walking, driving, murder mysteries, current events and coloring. She always loved traveling, and liked most kinds of music. She was active in the Marquardt Village retirement community and Park Terrace Assisted Living, and was very proud of keeping her mind active every single day of her golden years.
Chee Chee was a loving wife to Charlie for 49 years and a devoted mother to five children and 10 grandchildren. She was a good and loyal friend, and devout Christian who routinely prayed for countless others. She will be lovingly remembered for her friendliness, positive attitude, humor, kindness and generosity.
She will be greatly missed and is survived by her children, Steve (Betsy) Wallman, Jeff Wallman
(Finley Moll), Susie Sheldon, Poppy (Tom) Cooper and Andy (Jen) Wallman. She is further survived by her grandchildren Emmett, Jones and Maya Wallman; Charlie and Sam Wallman; Allie Sheldon; Molly McFarland (fiancé Ajay Vilos); and Madeline, Lucy and Lilly Wallman. Other survivors include her dear friends Margaret Luchsinger, Rita, Grace, Karen, Gracie and more.
The family would like to thank her cardiologist, Dr. Salim Shammo and his staff; Dr. John Basarich and the staffs of Watertown Family Practice, Watertown Regional Medical Center and Froedtert Hospital. The family is also grateful for the caring staff at Marquardt Village, Park Terrace and Marquardt Home Health and Hospice.
She was preceded in death by beloved family members including her husband, Charlie; her parents; her brother, C. Philip Moore; son-in-law Mike Sheldon; and her cousin, Marie (Maher) Wills White.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church with Father Patrick Wendler presiding. She requested guests wear bright colors in memory of her happy life. Visitation will take place at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will immediately follow the service at St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery.
Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Home 213 S. Fifth St. Watertown
Watertown Daily Times, 06 08 1969
William Potter, 416 College Avenue, has been promoted to sales manager of Watertown Metal Products, Division of Western Industries, Inc., according to Ed Soder, general manager or the Watertown plant. Potter, a lifelong resident of Watertown, joined the firm in June of 1966, in the estimating department. In the latter part of 1966 he was named assistant plant manager, and in October or 967 he moved to the sales department. The firm makes a wide variety of metal items. Initially only cold roll steel was used. Now, in addition, stainless steel and aluminum are used in the operation.
Watertown Daily Times, 06 21 1969
Watertown, starting today, has one less dentist. Dr. D. R. Craine, 66, a dentist here for the last 42 years, has retired. He closed his office yesterday afternoon. He began the practice of dentistry here in 1927 following his graduation from the dental school at Marquette University. Throughout the 42 years his office has been in the same location —312 1/2 Main Street. And for the past 33 years he has had the same assistant — Miss Eleanor Nack.
Watertown Daily Times, 06 27 1994
The tavern business is sometimes brutal. Competition can be stiff and ever-changing laws governing the drinking age can be difficult for bar owners to enforce. Ken Kurtz, however, who is retiring as owner and operator of Ken’s Tap in Watertown, says his more than three decades in the business have been enjoyable and profitable. This week Kurtz, 62, took a seat on a well-worn stool on the customer’s side of his bar for a change. Here, he reminisced about his 30 years of serving customers at 300 E. Madison St. It was here that he began selling tap beers for 10 cents in 1964 after buying Ole’s and Vi’s tavern. At that time, Kurtz could only afford to purchase the business, and its tables and chairs. Later, he was able to buy the building.
James Higgins
Watertown Gazette, 03 21 1890
Received of the Democratic County Committee of 1862, by the hands of Richard Hertz, the sum of five dollars ($5) in full for the padding of a certain saddle and a set of old bits which were lost by Jas. Higgins in going to the Town of Shields, to procure certain election returns, necessary, as it was thought, to secure the canvassing of some democratic votes , which otherwise would have been thrown out. The saddle above mentioned is claimed to have been a republican saddle, as the inside is pretty well gone.
Watertown Republican, 03 12 1890
The parade of the Stetson’s Uncle Tom' s Cabin troupe yesterday called together a great crowd of people, old and young, onto the streets. The calliope was followed in its travels through the mud by a vast army of juveniles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_show
Watertown Republican, 07 09 1890
Friday morning C. Hilgendorf's horse and buggy ran into P. C. Quintmeyer's buggy on Main Street bridge, taking off one of the wheels and throwing out Mr. Quintmeyer, but he fortunately escaped with only a lame back. The Hilgendorf vehicle was somewhat damaged. A firecracker caused the trouble.
Watertown Republican, 01 22 1890
What is known as "W. V. Club" has been organized here for social purposes by a number of west side young ladies. Their initial party was giving last Thursday evening at the home of Miss Anna Brown, a very enjoyable time being spent by about twenty couples of young people. Music, cards and other games were indulged in until a late hour, when refreshments were served, after which the gathering dispersed, everybody agreeing that the first party of the "W. V. Club" was a great success.
Veteran Bus Man
Watertown News, 10 11 1918
c.1875: Barney was the pioneer hack driver, proudly pulling the reins over the team attached to the first hack in Watertown, brought here shortly after the Milwaukee road was built this far. In those days there were no kerosene lamps in use in hotels. Candles were used in hotels and homes, the tallow dip also being used. This consisted of a small dish in which lard or other melted fat was placed and a small rag placed therein which afforded a rather poor but nevertheless welcome light. Barney Gardner did not trouble himself about making candles or dips, but drew upon the Lindon hotel supply to light the lanterns which adorned the interior of his bus. He “made” the trains for many years and was probably years ago the best known figure in Watertown.
Watertown Republican, 01 08 1890
On the charge of insulting a lady on the street, John Ruecker was arrested and taken before Justice Stacy Thursday. The young man was fined $10 and costs of $7 were attached, making the funny freak cost altogether $17.
07 28 1937
A new dry cleaning establishment to be known as the Deluxe Dry Cleaners will be in operation here next week, with a forma! grand opening scheduled for the Saturday. The new concern will be located at 118 North Third Street, in the building which formerly hosted the Minning Liquor Company until its recent removal to a new location. Operating the dry cleaning concern will be two Watertown young men, Gaylord S. Waite and George J. Flint. Both are well known in the community. The newest equipment will be installed during the next few days and will be ready for inspection Saturday. The public is invited to call. The establishment will operate a city wide pickup and delivery system. The phone number was announced as No. 229.
Watertown Daily Times, 08 19 1969
The former Hemps Surplus and Sports, a retail government surplus and sports store in Watertown, has moved to a new location and the name of the firm has changed. The new store, Hemps Sport and Recreation, has moved to 216 South Third Street. The new center is located in the old Pfister Pontiac-Cadillac building which is presently being remodeled. Because of the considerable amount of extra space in the new store, Hemps will carry more merchandise in the sports and recreation departments. The new merchandise on display includes boats, canoes, mini-bikes, archery equipment, guns and sportswear. In the future, the store will also handle Honda motor bikes, snowmobiles, boat motors, go-carts and camper trailers.
New Beauty Shop to Open in City Next Wednesday
Watertown Daily Times, 08 16 1937
Watertown’s newest beauty parlor, the Modern Beauty shop, located at 108 1/2 Main Street, above the Buehler Bros. store, will open on Wednesday. Skilled licensed operators will be in charge of the place which will offer a full and complete line of beauty shop services.
Featured among the equipment is the new wireless method permanent waving, which requires only one minute of steaming time and which is said to be 70 percent cooler than the old methods.
For the opening week several specials will be offered so that the public may get acquainted with the services the shop will offer at all times. During the opening week, too, there will be special surprise packages to each customer. Each gift will be valuable.
The place will be operated by Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Saxon, both having years of experience in every line of beauty parlor work. Mrs. Saxon is at present in New York where she is inspecting the latest devices for beauty treatments and taking additional courses in the newest beauty parlor work. She is expected here for the opening of the new shop.
Disposal of
Watertown News, 09 08 1869
It has been our experience to find old hoop skirts the most undisposable of all created things, and if any of our brother quill drivers of the Benedictine order can suggest some feasible and effective way of meeting the difficulty, they may consider us in their debt and their draft upon us for any reasonable amount will be duly honored.
Burning them in the fire does no good, it only toughens the steel and increases the difficulty.
Burying them in the earth is no more effective, we never yet succeeded in getting the grave so deep, wide and long that a loop did not stick up somewhere to catch our foot at a subsequent time and pitch us headlong upon the ground.
Spreading them out flat will not answer, as the first person who walks over them is caught like a fish in a gill net.
And hung upon the sides of the burn or woodshed, or in apple trees they do not look well.
A small lot which we pitched over our brick fence lay quiet a week and then a cow got “cast’ in them and we had a narrow escape from trouble.
In our despair we should long since have dumped them into the well, but common sense shows that they would materially interfere with the usefulness of our chain pump.
When our better half desires the wherewithal to procure a new silk gown, we produce our emaciated purse without a murmur; but when money is wanted to buy another hoop skirt it comes grudgingly, for the admission of a new one into the house signifies to us the ejection of an old one, and painfully reminds us that the irrepressible conflict, the insolvable problem is upon us again.
Gentlemen, we have had our say upon the subject—the floor is yours.
Winter of 1889-1890
Watertown Republican, 04 02 1890
There was a decided postponement of spring last Thursday evening, with a heavy fall of snow and the high winds which blew from the west, assuming to some extent the quality of a blizzard. In many respects it was the worst storm of the winter, causing delay to nearly all the trains, blocking the country roads to that extent that some farmers were obliged to shovel the roads before they could get through. It was also more destructive to the telegraph wires than any storm in a long time.
Watertown Daily Times, 04 05 1994
Sealy Mattress Co. will close its Watertown plant and move production elsewhere, a decision that will cost the local economy about 110 jobs. Sealy officials informed employees about the closing of the facility, located at 401 Dayton St., on Monday. By law, the plant must remain open for a minimum of 60 days, although it may stay open longer, according to John Babcock, Watertown plant manager. “Right now, it’s not really determined,” he said. The production of mattresses and foundations will be moved to other Sealy plants in St. Paul, Minn., and Batavia, Ill., which is just west of Chicago. Officials had decided that the company didn’t need three plants to serve the region.
Watertown Republican, 01 01 1890
The jury in the L. Kabet drowning case impaneled Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 24th adjourned to Thursday afternoon . . . . The jury completed their deliberation at 9 p.m., rendering a verdict of "accidental drowning." No testimony was produced showing that Kabet went off from Main Street on his way home the morning he was drowned. The last persons to see him alive, were Wm. Emerson, Nightwatch Kerr and N. D. Conley. Emerson and Kerr parted with him at Conley's corner and proceeded up West Avenue, and when they reached St. Bernard's church both heard shouting. Kerr then went toward Main Street bridge, and when he reached it, he found Nightwatch Vogel there with a light, he also having heard the shouting as he stood on the Bank of Watertown corner. P. Specht and L. Ullrich also heard the cries proceeding from the direction of the river. It is strongly surmised that Kabet fell in from the stairs leading down to the basement of the Chinese laundry, although, of course, this is only a surmise, but there was no testimony given from which it might be inferred that he had lost his way back of the buildings and fell into the river from the rear of the Moore buildings.
Watertown Daily Times, 08 30 2009
Capt. Mike Rothschadl, of Watertown, was surprised at his home Thursday afternoon when troops from the 54th Civil Support Team showed up to pin him as a major. The 54th Civil Support Team is Wisconsin’s full time response team for emergencies or terrorist events that involve weapons of mass destruction or toxic industrial chemicals. Each state has one military civil support team which includes 22 representatives from the Army and the Air Force. Rothschadl is a member of the United States Air Force. The pinning ceremony took place at his home because Rothschadl recently had knee surgery. He had expected to travel to Madison for the ceremony on Thursday when Maj. Tim Covington and several soldiers showed up at his home.
Watertown Daily Times, 09 20 1969
A new sewing center, the Colonial Sewing Shoppe, 306 Main Street, will open here on Monday. The center is owned and operated by two new residents of the city, Mr. and Mrs. Hal Goeller, and Mr. and Mrs. George Talakowski. The two families will handle all phases of the operation which includes a complete line of Singer products. In addition to the Singer sewing products, the shop will handle Singer vacuum cleaners, color and black and white television, stereo phonographs, typewriters, and accessories for all items. After the first of the year the shop will expand its product line to include a complete line of Singer fabrics.
Watertown Gazette, 10 02 1913
Friday morning Miss Anna Malloch, aged 32 years, daughter of Gottfried Malloch, North Second Street, town of Emmet, attempted to take her life by cutting the arteries in her wrist with a razor. She was found in the barn on the premises about 8 o'clock and was quite faint from loss of blood. She was taken to St. Mary's Hospital and is getting along nicely. Her mind has been unbalanced for some time.
City Improvements predicted for 1890
Watertown Republican, 01 15 1890
There is every indication of greater activity in the way of city improvements this year than there were during the year just closed, which was a decidedly prosperous one. This is a hopeful sign and one that we trust may materialize. There is certainly no reason why Watertown should remain in a state of lethargy, with all her opportunities for becoming a place of more commanding importance. By rights she should ascend the ladder of prosperity several rounds yet before attaining the position her merit entitles her to occupy in the galaxy of cities in Wisconsin.
New Year’s Day, 1890
Watertown Republican, 01 08 1890
New Year's Day was dull, gloomy and unseasonable in all respects. There was no evidence that we had entered winter; not a vestige of snow to be seen, nor scarcely a crust of ice anywhere in sight. Instead of sleighing, we had wheeling and slush and mire. Most of the stores paid homage to the day by closing in the afternoon. In the evening the Concordia Society gave a ball at the Opera House, and the dancing was enjoyed by a large number of ladies and gentlemen.
Vaccination Requirement Opposed
Watertown News, 12 03 1890
An anti-vaccination society has been organized in Milwaukee, and a circular letter addressed by it [ has been sent] to the several local physicians asking for their opinion on the subject. The society regards the requirement that school children be vaccinated as mischievous “paternalism.”
Watertown Republican, 03 26 1890
The suit brought against Charles Mackay by Marshal Zautner for using obscene and insulting language was tried before Justice Halliger Saturday last, and occupied the court for most of the day. The following jury was impaneled: F.W. Lehman, Aug. Fuermann, Jr., W.H. Krueger, H.C. Vogel, Wm. Weber and L. Beese.
C.F. Zautner, Alb. Weiss, Fred Bullmann, Harris Honey and Geo. Graffe were the witnesses on the part of state. For the defense the only witness was the defendant himself.
The jury rendered a verdict of guilty and Mr. Mackay was fined $5.00 and costs, the latter amounting to $25.23. M. Pease argued for the plaintiff, and C. H. Gardner for the defendant.
12 06 2019
Petig was born and raised in Watertown and graduated from Northwestern Prep. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Stanford University and studied at the University of Hamburg, Germany. He was on the German Studies faculty at Stanford University for four decades and served as the director of Lower Division German. He has given numerous presentations at conferences in the U.S. and abroad and has published in the area of 18th century German literature, German linguistics, and German American studies. He has authored or co-authored five books and has written extensively on Carl Schurz. He is currently working on the definitive biography of Schurz, who founded the first kindergarten in the U.S. in 1856 in Watertown.
Washington's birthday, 1890
Watertown Republican, 02 26 1890
Washington's birthday, a Saturday, was observed here by the closing of the post office and the banks, a display of bunting from the post office, city hall, Concordia Opera house, Turner Opera house, Woodard & Stone's, Phoenix engine house and other buildings, and a ball given in the evening by Washington Lodge, I.O.O.P., at Concordia Opera house.
featured in Holiday Parade of Homes
The home of Pete and Dionne Kelm, 924 Labaree St., is among the homes on the tour. The Kelm’s purchased their stately two story home in the fall of 1982 and moved into one of its four apartments. The house had been divided into apartments in the 1940’s and the Kelm’s have gradually turned it back into a single family home. At one time the house boasted four kitchens and four full bathrooms. One of the bathrooms has since been turned into a powder room. Two kitchens have been turned into bedrooms, and one kitchen was remodeled into the present kitchen which features quartz countertops. The last kitchen upstairs is part of a playroom/ bunkroom for the Kelm’s six grandchildren. Adjoining these rooms is a room with a pool table. The latest addition to the home is a deck off the sunroom overlooking the back yard and the Rock River. The home features many pieces of artwork, collected and traded at art fairs when Pete Kelm was a potter and sold his pottery at art shows.
Poisoned Garbage Cause of Porkers’ Death
Watertown Daily Times, 06 10 1949
Watertown housewives are throwing a lot of things in the garbage that should not be tossed there. This was revealed today when it became known that in the past three weeks Orville Nickel, Oconomowoc, who holds the garbage collection contract in Watertown, has lost 15 of his pigs which feed on the garbage he collects, here and in other communities.
Mr. Nickel told a representative of the city council that the 15 pigs he has lost in the past three weeks are more than he lost all last year. He raises many pigs on his farm and says that the average loss per year should be around 10 per cent.
The pigs, investigation revealed, have been dying of swallowing bits of. broken glass, old razor blades and even poison. The poison, he thinks, may have been carelessly tossed into garbage cans when housewives cleaned out medicine cabinets and threw in old parish green and discarded rat poison. The city council spokesman said that many housewives here are probably not aware that the garbage collected in the city is fed to pigs. He asked that they use discretion in discarding broken glass, razor blades and poison or other injurious material.
Some of the pigs even died of swallowing toothpicks, it was revealed by a veterinarian who was called upon to examine the dead animals.
Many pigs can swallow old razor blades without ill effects, providing they get it in material that surrounds the blade and some can even swallow toothpicks, but if a toothpick does not “go down the right way” it can prove disastrous.
Sale and Boarding Stable
Watertown News, 04 13 1887
WHS_016_301C / First
Street, opposite Commercial Hotel
Goods rigs furnished on short notice and at reasonable rates.
I have recently added to my livery stock a handsome and substantial Curtain Landau manufactured at Wilmington. Delaware, at a cost of $1.000, easy and light running for use at parties, funerals and calling.
In connection with my livery stable I have started a city hack line for the accommodation of the citizens of Watertown.
I keep a hack on the streets at all hours of the day for those who desire its service and run it to every train. Orders taken for all night trains. Orders can be left at my office, and at Daub’s, Heyman’s, Post Office, West Hotel and American House.
I have telephonic communication from my office to all parts el the city.
Patrick Kennedy
History in brief
Watertown Daily Times, 08 27 1953
John E. Kuester, Mrs. C. T. Donahue, August C. Glinke, C. T. Donahue, William F. Saniter, Mrs. Jerome Donahue, Jerome Donahue
It doesn't seem so long ago since we started to learn about automobiles, working for Jack Wilkes on Saxon and Mitchell cars . . . that was that was 'way back in 1917. Then for a brief period we worked for J. H. Deakin, Studebaker dealer in those days, after which we went to work for H. C. Whitmore, who operated the Buick agency until 1920. In that year Whitmore acquired the WiIlys-Overland franchise which he held until 1928 when he retired from the automobile business. That's when Donahue Motor Co. came into being . . . we took over the WilIys-Overland franchise and operated our garage and show room at the corner of Fifth & Main streets, selling and servicing Willys-Overland until 1933 when we acquired the Chrysler-Plymouth franchise. At the same time we acquired the dealership for International Trucks. In 1947 we moved to the larger quarters we now occupy at 211 North Third Street, permitting expansion of both sales and service facilities.
Donahue Motors Sold
Watertown Daily Times, 07 22 1969
Announcement is made today of the sale of one of Watertown’s well known and one of the city’s oldest business establishments. Donahue Motors, 207-11 North Third Street, has been sold to J. and J. Motors, 1020 East Main Street. The sale was announced jointly by Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Donahue, owners of Donahue Motors, and Clifford Tiffany and Clarence H. Buedler, owners of J. & J. Motors and Delwin Hintzmann, co-purchaser and sales manager. The firm is the dealer for Chrysler and Plymouth cars and International trucks. Mr. and Mrs. Donahue have operated Donahue Motors for the last 41 years. all told, Cliff Donahue has been associated with the automobile business for 51 years.
1949
Another large stamping press has been added at the plant of the Sherman Products, Inc., located in the Richards hill section of the city. The press is shown at the right. Standing to the left of the press is William Wright, vice president of the company. Francis Wierzbinski is shown operating the unit. The press has a pressure capacity of 200 tons. It is 14 ½ feet high.
At the left is pictured a larger stamping press which was installed at the timd the plant opened here early in 1947. This press, which is 28 feet high has a pressure capacity of 600 tons.
The new unit was added to take care of the expanding operations of the firm. The company manufactures steel stampings and assemblies. It makes pedals for the International Harvester tractor; spring hangars for Diamond T trucks; frames for the Bolens garden tractor; motor mountings for International Harvester power units; and also is making parts for the Oliver Corp. and Wisconsin Motors. It also is getting into production on transformers for the Rural Transformer & Equipment company. By the end of this month the company expects to double last year’s production. Sixty five men now are employed in two shifts.
Sherman Products occupies a steel quonset hut type building, 216 by 40 feet. Construction of the building began in September of 1946. The building was sufficiently completed by January of 1947 to permit operations on a small scale.
D. W. Sherman, Milwaukee, chief engineer of the automobile division of the A. O. Smith company, heads the firm. Recently Harold Klas, formerly employed by the Packard Motor company, was added to the staff as works manager.
>>> STREET VIEW OF
Watertown Daily Times, 05 17 1994
Del Hintzmann of the Watertown Lions Club has been named a Melvin Jones Fellow by Lions Clubs International Foundation, in recognition of his commitment to serving the world community. Named for the founder of Lions Clubs International, Melvin Jones, the fellowship is the foundation's highest honor. It is a recognition of a commitment to humanitarian service. Hintzmann is governor of District 27-A2, and serves as Governors Council chairman for the state of Wisconsin. He recently received a plaque and lapel pin acknowledging his dedication to the foundation's humanitarian goals. As a Melvin Jones Fellow, he becomes part of a growing network of individuals who are committed to improving the quality of life for people locally and in communities around the world.
Watertown Daily Times, 05 17 2009
When 92-year-old World War II veteran Reuben Henning observes Memorial Day on Monday he can consider himself lucky. "I shouldn't be here today," Henning, a lifelong resident of Watertown, said during a recent interview from his south side apartment. Henning, who served nearly 18 months in the Pacific as a radio operator and machine gunner with the Army's 776 Amphibious Tank Battalion, dodged a number of bullets -- both literally and figuratively -- while he fought overseas.
Watertown Daily Times, 05 18 1969
Federal Pacific Electric Co., a firm which employs about 400 persons at its plant in Des Plaines, Ill., has opened an engineering office at 114 S. Fourth Street, in Watertown. The firm manufactures dry type transformers. The Watertown Engineering Office is to be completely staffed with local design engineering and drafting talent, on a permanent basis, to assist the Des Plaines engineering department in its program of product design and development of transformers. Presently five persons are employed here. David Molzner has been named office manager by G. F. Simmons, general manager of the company.
Now offering the “Tracford”
FORD ATTACHMENT DOES THE PLOWING
Watertown Weekly Reader, 05 09 1917
Times are sure changing. Years ago the merry farmer arose with the dawn, and after spending a few hours currying horses, milking cows and “choring” around in general, he ate his breakfast, and then hitched up to the plow and followed it for about fifteen miles for his daily recreation. Then, after spending a couple more hours with the horses and other live stock, he fell into the hay, and was dead to the world until the rooster crowed again.
If you had been at the farm of Frank Gronert on last Saturday afternoon, you might have seen a couple of hundred very much interested farmers, and heard some talk which would have sounded strange to your ears — if you had not listened to farmer talk for say ten or fifteen years.
The crowd of farmers had assembled at the Gronert farm by invitation of Klinger & Mayer Cos., of the Ford garage of Watertown, for the purpose of witnessing a demonstration of the “Tracford” an attachment for converting any model T. Ford car into an efficient practical and economical light tractor.
With very little changes in the car, a pair of tractor wheels are fitted onto the rear gear, a two gang plow is attached, and instead of a straining and creaking of harness, and a plow progress toward the other side of the field, there is a popping of cylinders, and the former plowboy, instead of staggering along in the furrow guiding the plow and also three or four horses, sits on a cushion manipulating the steering wheel and inhaling the fumes of gasoline which smells just the same as those from a twelve thousand dollar car on Michigan Avenue, Chicago.
But that is not all, the “Tracford” does the work, scooting across the fields, and dragging after it the two gang plow at double the speed of any horses ever invented. What is more, the Tracford does not get tired, and can go night and day in an emergency. It is simple, and delivers the goods, and is but one of those marvelous inventions of the age in which we are now living. Klinger & Mayer state that they are hustling to fill orders, but believe that from now on they can make prompt deliveries.
History of Watertown, Wisconsin