This
file part of www.watertownhistory.org
website
Gas & Electric Company
1854
Derived
from: The History of Jefferson County,
Wisconsin by C. W. Butterfield,
1879
William H. Clark, cashier of
the Bank of Watertown; came to Milwaukee in
1852, and to Watertown in 1854. He
organized the bank that year and has been connected with it ever since; Mr.
Clark organized the gas company here, in connection with A. L. Pritchard, and
conducted the works for several years.
He has been in the banking business continuously since
1889
In 1889 Joseph
Terbrueggen was one of a company of three who put in the electric lighting
system in the city and the company later disposed of the plant.
Mr. Cordes became greatly
interested in electric lighting, a subject which he studied with great
enthusiasm. Coming to the belief that
Watertown could support a plant, the partners secured a franchise from the city
of Watertown on
Business men and the public generally know little
about electric lighting systems and rather doubted its success in a town of
this size. However, they did not allow
themselves to become discouraged and went to work to secure contracts from
business men and others. The city
contracted for twenty street lights, and a number of business men agreed to
take a few lights, the late Joseph Salick, the jeweler, being the first to
commend the lights and signing a contract for a substantial number of lights. Most of the business men were indifferent but
became convinced of its feasibility as soon as a few were put in use.
1905, 08 10
P. L. Utley and Charles Mackay of the Gas and Electric
Company were in Milwaukee Monday. The object of their visit was to ascertain
the cost necessary for the enlargement of the gas plant and the time it would
probably require. The demand on the company for gas has increased to such an
extent that the plant must be increased to meet the demand which now nearly
exceeds its capacity. Should the plant be increased in size, the work will be
begun at an early day.
1905, 09 14
A special meeting of the stockholders of the Gas and
Electric Co. was held Tuesday evening to arrange for the enlargement of the gas
plant, the demand for gas for cooking purposes as well as light having
increased to such an extent as to make it absolutely necessary in order to meet
the demand.
1932
William
T Jones, retired as plant superintendent of Watertown Gas plant. Employed for over 30 years.
1956, 07 03
When E. T. Hornickle, 211 College Avenue, closed his
desk in the Gas and Electric building at Main and North Third Streets today he
not only called it a day, he called it quits. For today marked the end of his
working days as Watertown district manager of the Wisconsin Electric Power Co.
and the Wisconsin Natural Gas Co. For Mr. Hornickle it marks the end of a
little over 38 years with the companies. He chalked up 38 years on June 15. It
was announced some time ago that his retirement would become effective July 1.
Cross-References:
No 1: Gas and Electric Co building, 216 E Main. Earlier was site of Gahlmann’s Deutsches Dorf
Terbrueggen,
Joseph 1912, Obit
For
about 30 years past he was a member of the brick manufacturing firm of L. H.
Cordes & Co. In 1889 he was one of a
company of three who put in the electric lighting system in our city and the
company later disposed of the plant.
