website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
A. E. Bentzin
1950
11 02 'MIKE' BENTZIN PAID
TRIBUTE BY FELLOW GOLF COURSE MEMBERS
It was “Mike Bentzin Night” at the Watertown Country Club last evening. And what a tremendous night it turned out to be. Members of the club jammed the new club house dining room to pay tribute to the man who did more than anyone else to make the beautiful new club house possible.
The tribute was genuine and sincere. It was an outpouring of appreciation that touched the heart. In the last several weeks, a resolution commending Mike, who is president of the club, had been passed among the members. One hundred signatures are affixed to the resolution of tribute. But what was even more impressive was the large number who turned out for the party last night in Mike’s honor. The turnout was bigger, by far, than any “men’s night” gathering all summer.
The many tributes paid to Mike last night by various speakers was fittingly climaxed with the presentation to him of the resolution, together with the signatures, and a beautiful wrist watch. The presentations were made, in an eloquent manner, by Dr. E. W. Bowen, who originated the idea of a tribute for Mike. He told of the major role Mike played in making the new club house a reality, how he nurtured the project along from an idea into an elegant building, which he and all members can point to with real pride and satisfaction.
Mike, in responding, in turn expressed his gratitude to all those who had a hand in the project. Among those he singled out for special mention were Herb Lange and George Wolf of the Jaeger Manufacturing company; Richard Jaye of the Syncromatic corporation; Irv Bilse, chairman of the house committee; Thomas Darcey; Floyd Shaefer; Irv Hornickle; Gary Fendt (custodian) and John Clifford.
Special tribute was paid by Mike to the women of the club. Without their very fine cooperation and support the club house would not be as nicely furnished as it is today, he said. He mentioned the chairs and tables they purchased, as well as items in the kitchen, and other things, which the women of the club provided. “You can’t run a club successfully without their cooperation, and I want everyone to know what a big help the ladies were to us,” Mike said.
One of the speakers on last light’s program was Dr. R. G. Love of Oconomowoc, holder of the state senior men’s championship, and one of the state’s top amateur golfers over a long span of years.
Love had not seen the new club house before last evening, and in his remarks he said he was tremendously impressed with the building and was amazed that it was built for less than $25,000. That factor alone, he said, is a real tribute to Mike and the others who handled the project. “This fine building is a real credit to the community, and to you people,” he declared.
William Schumann served as toastmaster. He paid a glowing tribute to Mike for the part he played in making the club house possible. During the period that the building was under construction, he said Mike checked at least once, and sometimes, several times a day to see that everything was going along satisfactorily. He also told how helpful his ideas were in the planning of the building and in the other preliminary work in connection with the project.
He paid a compliment to employees of the club, the various contractors who worked on the building, to the board of directors and the building committee. Employees and contractors were guests at last night’s gathering. Bill started off by complimenting the two men who work on the course, George Wuestenberg and Louis Haase, and pointed to the fine job both men did in taking care of the course this summer. Gary Fendt, the building custodian, was unable to be present, but nevertheless was given a fine compliment for the very able manner in which he took care of his work during the season and for the fine cooperation he extended. Men who worked on the building mentioned included Carl Schlueter, Arthur Rupnow, Theodore Guse and George Wilke.
Bill introduced the board members, who are, in addition to Mike, Richard Thauer, vice president; Charles Teggatz, secretary and treasurer; George Niemann, Irv Bilse, Lee Hefty and Charles Johannsen. Building committee members introduced were Harold Schumann, John Salick, Ed Raue and Ray Kern. Louis Silagy, also a member of the committee, was not present.
Richard Thauer was called upon for remarks. He said the plan to build a club house began to take form back in about 1943. Loans were obtained from a number of members, which made it possible to finance the work. The first committee consisted of John Salick, Ray Kern, Raul Fischer and himself, and it was these men who made the first contacts for loans from members. As the committee was expanded, others also helped in arranging the financing. Later, he said, Mike became interested in the project, was named to the committee, and all along was of tremendous help. He was extremely helpful, he said, in helping to revise the original plans, and all along was the dynamic force that made it possible to bring the project to a successful conclusion.
The club house is constructed of “Wayhte Kolored” stone. It is 120 feet long and 30 feet wide, with a 24 by 30 utility room and kitchen to the east. It is complete with showers and locker rooms for both men and women. The building was put up during the winter and was ready for the opening of the golf season this spring.
Following is the resolution presented to Mike last night:
We, the
undersigned members of the Watertown Country Club, deeply sensible of the
impressive gains that have accrued to the enjoyment of our several activities
by the construction of a suitable club house, which is now nearing completion,
do feel, and without disparagement of its other officers, that our President,
“Mike,” A. E. Bentzin, has given so generously of his
time and abilities toward the construction of our club house as to make it a
matter of pride and satisfaction to all our members.
Further, and
beyond this simple expression of our appreciation, we do herewith subscribe to
a fund to purchase some suitable token of appreciation for his devoted and
unselfish service on our behalf.
05 06 WATERTOWN
HUMANE SOCIETY SUPPORTED
Mayor A. E. Bentzin has come out in strong support of the current membership drive being conducted by the newly formed Watertown Humane Society. The mayor has joined the organization and today called on fellow citizens to do so also and help along a good and needed cause. He said as he took out a membership: “A city should be concerned not only about the welfare of its people but likewise about the welfare of all God’s creatures. I hope the people of our city and surrounding areas will support this organization in its worthy humane endeavor to provide for the needs of our animal population, one of which is a particularly challenging one — the need for a local animal shelter. The need is one which the Watertown Humane Society is commendably striving to fulfill.”
2020
05 06 DEATH
OF BROTHER
Charles G. Bentzin, 1932 - 2020
2021
11 15 BENTZIN FAMILY MAKES
$1M DONATION TO TOWN SQUARE
The Watertown Redevelopment Authority (RDA) has received a $1 million gift from the Bentzin Family for construction of the City of Watertown’s new Town Square. Continuing a legacy of generosity and civic-engagement, the Bentzin Family’s contribution puts the fundraising committee at the edge of its goal.
“I’ve always connected with the idea that you don’t truly know where you are going until you know where you have been,” said Barton Bentzin, representing the family on this donation. Barton is the son of Watertown native Charles G. Bentzin. “Dad was a firm believer in wanting Watertown to keep its identity,” he continued . “Watertown has a unique and rich history full of innovative thinkers. I join my dad and my family in believing that the history of the community needs to be remembered and celebrated as a reflection of what the future holds.”
As part of the Bentzin Family contribution, an additional donation will sponsor the installation of a public art piece on the Town Square commemorating Watertown’s history.
Many can still recall the family name from the Bentzin’s Red Bell Market which, from the early 1900s to 1963, was located on what is now Sharp Corner Park. Owner A. E. “Mike” Bentzin “knew everyone,” Barton recalls his father telling him. “Besides running the store, he was the local Blatz beer distributor. Back then, beer didn’t come in cans or bottles, it was on tap. Your Grandpa went from place to place delivering beer. That’s how he got to know everyone in town.” A. E. “Mike” Bentzin was elected mayor of Watertown in 1967, holding the position until 1969 and a member of the Watertown School District Board of Education from 1952 to 1960, serving as president from 1959-1960.
The dollar amount provides the needed matching funds to support a grant request from the State, which has been presented to the Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee.
The Bentzin Family is currently considering Town Square naming options and ways to create a lasting legacy for Watertown’s history and the city itself. Charles Bentzin’s 2020 obituary states, “Charles’ hometown was always kept near and dear to him.” Through this contribution, the RDA and the City hope to fulfill Charles’ passion for Watertown and inspire that passion in the next generation.
11 25 WATERTOWN IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE FAMILIES LIKE THE BENTZINS / WDTimes editorial
One million dollars!
Stop and think about
that, Watertown.
That is the
generosity of a family with a long history in Watertown, the Bentzins, and their seven-figure donation.
It is news in
today’s paper that the heirs of Charles Bentzin and
before that A. E. “Mike” Bentzin were donating that
sum to build the Town Square along the Rock River on Main Street downtown.
The donation, which
will secure the naming rights for the new park east of the library, is a
crowning gift for the project that will long be an asset for the city as a whole.
The
park has been envisioned as a place where the natural assets of the
river and the commerce of the central business district can together create a
gathering place, a nexus for the entire community.
The Bentzin family ran the Red Bell Market for decades in
Watertown and a Blatz beer distributorship. They knew the people,
they knew the place and were part of the fabric of what Watertown was and what
it has become.
And that is just
what the Bentzin family wants to continue to bring
out, the history of the community that helped build their family’s wealth, reputation and friendships. It’s hard to imagine a more
fitting way to give back to all those who they knew and supported them.
They have a history
here, and what is Watertown if not a place of historic significance? In
addition to that generous and sizeable gift, the family intends to make an
additional donation for art that will salute some of the historic moments that
contributed to the city’s long and rich heritage.
For Watertown
leaders, including the city and the Redevelopment Authority, this is a moment
to pop the champagne corks and celebrate the realization of a dream, a vision
that incubated years ago.
But like all dreams,
it means nothing without the hard work to see it through and get past the
obstacles. There were certainly some naysayers in the community, but there
always are. Leaders kept their eyes on the prize and dreamed what some saw as impossible, but is now about to reach fruition.
When the Town Square
is completed next year, it will be catalyst for development of a large housing
project to its south, and, coupled with grand reopening of the new public
library to the west next year, provide the energy that can take downtown
Watertown to better places.
Downtowns thrived in
an era before cars, strip malls and big boxes swallowed up the landscapes. What
the city, the RDA and the Main Street Program are trying to do is draw more
people downtown, because it is that foot traffic, that steady flow of people,
that revitalizes a downtown built for a nostalgic past age.
Watertown has so
many desirable assets and all it needs is for a few key things to go its way
before the commercial momentum begins to chug forward.
As with all things,
this only works because the people of Watertown care so much about Watertown.
Watertown only succeeds because the people in Watertown believe in it and want
to make it a success.
That faith is shown
in the generosity of the Bentzins’ gifts
and it is also reflected in the wisdom and courage of leaders who could see
something in the future that looked beyond the present.
Watertown needs more
big ideas and more willingness to think long term and with a new hope for
tomorrow.
Next it is up to all
of us. Which one of us can make a contribution, big or
small toward making Watertown better?
Start with the Bentzins’ gift as your inspiration, Watertown, and we can only imagine how great our future can be! That is indeed the essence of Watertown’s past and the lifeblood of its future.
|
Bentzin, A E |
|
|
Bentzin, A E |
|
|
Bentzin, A E |
|
|
Bentzin, A E |
|
|
Bentzin, A E, M/M |
|
Bentzin, Mike |
|
|
Bentzin, Mike |
|
|
Bentzin, Mike, Mayor |
History of Watertown, Wisconsin