Henry Daub

ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin

Henry Daub

Henry Daub

(crop from Krietzman collection, image #KR140)

1869: Arrival in Watertown

Mr. Daub was born July 28, 1848, in Hamm, a city in the Province of Westphalia; he attended the University until 1862, and then engaged in the business of telegraph operator for the railway company; worked at that business until May 1, 1869 (seven years); at that time, being called on to serve in the army, he decided to emigrate to America, which he did, arriving at Watertown June 3, 1869.

Nephew of August Fuermann

For six months he was employed as bookkeeper in the Empire Brewery, owned by his uncle, August Fuermann; afterward he was engaged as a bookkeeper and clerk in the boot and shoe establishment of Henry Bertram; remained in that position for four years.

After leaving the retail boot and shoe business, he entered the employ of the wholesale boot and shoe house of Shay & Pearson, of Chicago, and continued with this firm as traveling salesman through Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, for nearly two years; afterward, for one year and a half, he was with the Janesville Shoe Manufacturing Company in the capacity of traveling agent.

After the failure of the last-named company in 1877, Mr. Daub discontinued traveling and engaged in present business for himself. He is a member of Washington Lodge, I.O.O.F., Guttenberg Lodge, 13, O.D.H.S., and of the Concordia Musical Society.

Son-in-law of Henry Bertram

On Oct. 27, 1872, he married Amalie (Emily) Bertram, daughter of Henry Bertram; she was born in Watertown Oct. 26, 1852; they have two children – Louise, aged 4 years, and Mary, three years of age.

Above derived in part from The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin, published: Chicago: Western Historical Company. 1879.

1880 city dir

1881

03 05 Snow storm Daub’s signage but building not Daub’s, believed to be 8 E Main, north side of street

05 12 Henry Daub, at his restaurant, is putting on Metropolitan airs. He has just introduced a one hundred and fifty dollar Refrigerator, and it is both ornamental and useful. WD

1892: Excelsior Beer Hall and Restaurant

Henry Daub, proprietor of the Excelsior Beer Hall and Restaurant, and sole agent for the sale of Fred Miller’s Milwaukee lager beer.

In 1856 Frederick Miller bought the "Plank Road Brewery." Miller had brought $10,000 in gold with him from Wurtemburg. As Miller's, the brewery is still going strong.

Daub’s Saloon and Restaurant, c1892. “Milwaukee” sign in windows. Henry Daub second from left.

106 N First St, Building was next to (north of) Bank of Watertown and south of City Hall

1895

Henry Daub’s Saloon and Hotel Garni. Henry Daub can be seen in the doorway.

This building stood on the north side of Main Street, just west of the Bank of Watertown building.

Today this is part of Fischer’s Dept. Store. Image dates to circa 1895.

Image# KR140 of the Krietzmann Collection.

Daub’s 10 E Main; Bank of Watertown 14 E Main

1887-88 city dir

The Poor Man’s Club

The old-time saloon was the Poor Man’s Club. Men gathered in the barbershop or sat around the country-store stove to discuss politics, but for good-fellowship, friendliness, and Gemutlichkeit they went to the saloon. To it came men from all walks of life. Within its portals a democratic spirit reigned, and all present became equals.

Standing at the bar with one foot on the rail or sitting around tables, little coteries talked companionably of their families and home and of their work. They drank a little beer, ate of the free lunch, and then went home or back to their work. Social life today offers few meeting places like the old German saloon. Compared with it, the modern tavern is an arrogant pretender.

Holmes, Fred L., Sideroads: Excursions into Wisconsin’s Past, Madison: The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, pg 63.

1902

Watertown Daily Times, 09 10 2007

In 1902 the local Elks Lodge occupied quarters on the third floor of the Daub Building, 10 E. Main St., and moved in 1907 to the third floor of the Masonic Temple.

Compiled by Ken Riedl