Gas and Electric

ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin

Watertown Gas Company

Wisconsin 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 August 4, 1854, over a quarter of a century. Mr. Clark is a native of Chemung Co., N.Y.

1856

02 21 The Gas Company is laying the main pipe under the bridge in order to cross the river and form a connection with Main Street and West Avenue. So severe and steady has been the cold of the past few weeks, that is has been impossible to do anything towards completing the Gas Works. All the iron is now here, and a large number of skillful and experienced mechanics are waiting to improve the first opportunity that occurs to resume operations and complete the works as soon as it is practical to do so. WD

03 20 The Gas Holder is now being built at the Gas Works. Mr. J. Bromfield, the enterprising superintendent, informs us that the works will be in full operation at farthest, by the 1st of May, if not before that date. Nothing but the weather, which for months rendered it necessary to suspend all kinds of labor on them, has prevented their completion weeks ago. Everything about these works has a substantial appearance and bears the imprints of being all done by those who are masters of their business -- looking as if made for real service and to endure for a long time. WD

04 24 The Gas Works, if the weather continues as it has been for a week past, will be ready to go into operation the latter part of next week. The works are now nearly completed. They are said to be superior to any that have heretofore been erected in this state. WD

1861 Discontinue Lighting Street Lamps

01 31 Proceedings of the Common Council: Resolved, That the Gas Company be directed to discontinue lighting the street lamps in the Fourth Ward from and after this date, as the said Ward has no means to pay such bills. WD

02 01 A Bone of Contention

If there has been any one question more than another that has given rise to fierce discussion in the Common Council, it is that as to what disposition should be made to the bills in favor of the Gas Company for the gas burned in our street lamps.

Some of the aldermen take the ground that each ward should pay out of its own fund for the gas consumed in its limits, and that the same should not be made a charge upon the city general fund. We believe this is the way the matter stands now and that the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th wards, being the only ones in which there are any lamps, now pay for the lighting of the streets.

We consider this unfair and unequal. We do not know why the 5th, 6th and 7th wards should be absolved from their part of this expense, though there are no lamps located within their limits, any more than they should be for any other outlay for the benefit of the city at large. Why could they not, with the same propriety, have been relieved from the payment of their just proportion of the cost of building the Main Street bridge? Or why not exonerated from their share of the expense of repairing the Plank Road bridge near the Rough and Ready Mill?

. . . It ought to be shared alike by all. We regard it as an improvement which the city should sustain, as a whole, and can not see any propriety or sense in making four wards maintain it for the benefit of the seven. We furthermore believe that a tax levied in accordance with that principle is illegal, and that the same if contested would not stand the test of law. There certainly is no equality in such taxation. WR

1870

10 26 Extension of Gas

The Watertown Gas company will soon commence laying gas pipes along several streets not heretofore supplied with this article of light. Along Second Street, north of Main, as far as Bursinger's Brewery, at which time arrangements will be made to supply Music Hall. On First Street, to the Watertown House, supplying the Engine house and Lockup. On Water Street, on the west side, the pipes will be laid as far up as Weber's store. We are glad to learn that the increasing consumption makes these extensions necessary. WR

1889

Joseph Terbrueggan, W. J. Toussaint and L. H. Cordes established the Watertown Electric Light plant; disposed of in 1906 to the John I. Beggs interests.

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 May 27, 1889, and at once proceeded to install.

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.

1909

01 29 P. Riley scalded by the blowing out of a steam pipe on the boiler WG

03 05 Superintendent Charles MacKay dismissed; pushed for alderman WG

05 21 Watertown Gas and Electric Co. builds new Rough and Ready Dam WG

08 06 John Berrigan, solicitor, resigned WG

1912

04 18 The Charge of the "Light" Brigade [advertisement]

One Watertown home after another is succumbing to the friendly attack of our wiring contractors. They bring light and cheer wherever they go. They are competent men — do their work neatly and quickly without disturbing domestic routine. Let them wire your home this Spring. If it is located on our distributing lines and you are now using some other illuminant, we offer to wire the house complete and furnish fixtures, then allow you a whole year to pay the bill in, at so much per month. Houses in course of construction not included under this offer. For full information of this special offer, telephone Watertown Gas & Electric. WG

05 02 Gas and Electric Demonstration

Mrs. Minnie Riebe will conduct a gas and electric heating and cooking demonstration at the office of the Watertown Gas and Electric Co. all next week. Cooking by gas, electricity and the paper bag method will be fully explained, and there will be a fine display of electric and gas appliances. Drop in and get a cup of coffee, cake, toast or a biscuit, all made at the demonstration, to which the public is cordially invited. WG

1920

1920c, 1002 S Second, employees around large gas tank WHS_005_205

1922

Profile of Frank J. Boehm of the Wisconsin Gas & Electric Co, an associated company of The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Co, owner of Watertown gas works.

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.

1957

Ad for, 1957 City Dir, Wisconsin Natural Gas Co

Ad for, 1957 City Dir, Wisconsin Electric Power Co

2008

Site of new Public Works Facility

Cross-References:

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.

J. H. Sleeper, 1939-1888, was president of Watertown Gas Co.