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Kusel's of Watertown
108-112 W Main
Celebrating over 150 years
In 1849, Kusel Equipment Co.
Started in Business in Watertown
http://www.kuselequipment.com/history.htm
1849
When
Daniel Kusel, Sr. immigrated to the United States from Grabow, Germany in 1849,
one would wonder if he had any idea that the small tinsmith business he began
would continue to be a thriving corporation over 150 years later.
Daniel
Kusel, Sr. served his tinsmith apprenticeship in Germany, Denmark, and Russia
before establishing a business in Germany in 1836 as a "manufacturer of
tin and brass goods." Because of
the 1848 Revolution in Germany, in 1849, one year after Wisconsin was admitted
into the Union, Kusel came to the United States with his wife and four
children, bringing $3,000 in gold with him.
Kusel
reestablished himself in the tinware business upon his arrival in Watertown,
Wisconsin, later including the manufacture of copper and sheet-iron
products. Kusel also entered the
hardware business almost immediately.
At one
point in his first years in the city, Kusel considered moving to Oshkosh,
Wisconsin, but was persuaded to stay in Watertown by his friend, Carl Schurz.
Kusel was involved in community activities, as well as being
instrumental in establishing Northwestern College
(presently Luther Preparatory School) in Watertown.
In
1864 two of Daniel Kusel Sr.'s sons, Frederick and Daniel H. renamed the
company as "D & F Kusel", becoming incorporated in 1897.
The
hardware business and the manufacturing business separated into two entities in
1938. The hardware store continued at
On
Dairy
equipment has long been the backbone of Kusel. The 1960's marked the beginning
of diversification in product lines.
Diversification began with material handling equipment used to palletize
and depalletize cans, cases, bottles, and bags.
In
1984 Kusel added stainless steel floor drains to their product line. Because of
their sanitary design, these drains are used in the dairy, meat, wine,
pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food processing industries.
A 1994
addition to Kusel Equipment Co. has been food processing equipment, through the
acquisition of select assets of Starr, Inc. of Hustisford. The product line
includes waterless peelers/scrubbers, water vapor cookers, conveyors, and size
graders.
The
most recent addition has been the 2003 acquisition of select assets of Vorton,
Inc. of Beloit, WI. Vortron is a leading
manufacturing of smokehouses used in the meat industry.
_________________________________________________________________
1887
1895
02 06 Hardware stock of E. A. Heck sold to D
& F Kusel WR
03 06 Mention
made that Fellermann & Fischer
mercantile business, 106 W Main, made possible by
Messrs. Kusels spacious new building WR
1908 D.
& H. Kusel secured contract for placing the new roof on the Phoenix engine house. July 10 WG
o Harry
Leschinger learned plumbing trade from Kusel’s in 1908.
1909
02 06 Celebrate 60th
Anniversary
The hardware firm
of the D. and F. Kusel Co. are making extensive preparations to celebrate next week
the 60th anniversary of their business career in this city. Sixty years ago next Monday the firm was
established in a small frame building 14x48 feet and, step by step, it grew to
its present magnificent proportions. WG
07 02 D. & F. Kusel Company 60 Years in Business
It is not often
that we find a mercantile firm celebrating its 60th anniversary of its business
life, but such is the lot of the D. & F. Kusel Co. of this city, hardware
merchants doing business at 108, 110, 112 West Main Street, which started a
week’s special sale last Saturday evening in honor of the event.
On June 26, 1849, Daniel
Kusel, father of Daniel and Frederick Kusel, present members of the firm,
embarked in the business which has grown to such large proportions. He was born in Germany in 1811 and, tiring of
the revolution of 1848 in Germany, he came to American and located in this city
and opened a small tin shop and dealt in stoves in a small building on the
present site of the firm’s business on June 26, 1849. From time to time he added different lines of
hardware and guided the destiny of the firm till it became one of the largest
and most successful hardware houses in Wisconsin, retiring from active business
in 1864, when his sons, Daniel and Frederick Kusel, were taken into the
business under the firm name of D. & F. Kusel Co.
The senior Mr.
Kusel was a man of industry and honesty and dealt generously with all his
customers, hence his success in life.
His sons were endowed with the same spirit and hand in hand they have
worked together through life and success has been theirs to a most eminent
degree in both a business way and their social standing in the community.
Their father passed
to his reward on February 22, 1905, lamented by our entire community as one of
the best men that ever lived here.
During his long business career in Watertown no one appealing for help
was ever turned away with a deaf ear and many a struggling farmer and business
man was given encouragement in a financial as well as an advisory manner that
led them on to success.
Kusel’s store was
known far and wide in early days and its popularity continues to the present
day, till today its wares are shipped all over the state. It does a general hardware, plumbing and tin
roofing business and deals extensively in dairy supplies. Aside from the honorable methods always prevailing
in this business house, there was always the most cordial greeting and courtesy
extended to every customer, no matter how trivial the purchase, and this
extended from the head of the firm to the lowest salaried helpmate about the
place.
In 1897 D. & F.
Kusel incorporated under the firm name of The D. & F. Kusel Co., capitalized
at $50,000, the stock being all held by members of the family, the present
officers of the company being:
President and
Treasurer: Daniel H. Kusel;
Vice-President: Frederick Kusel;
Secretary: Louis Kusel;
Theodore Kusel and
Daniel Kusel are also stockholders in the company.
Daniel H. Kusel is
a native of Doenitz, Mecklenburg, Germany, where he was born February 28, 1838,
and came to Watertown with his parents in 1849 and learned the tinner’s trade,
which he worked at till he became a member of the firm. He is at present interested in several local
enterprises besides his hardware business and is a large stockholder and
vice-president of the Merchant’s National Bank.
In 1862 he was elected alderman of the 5th ward.
Fred. Kusel was
born at the same place in Germany in 1839 and came to America with his parents
and learned his father’s business. The
breaking out of the Civil War found him in Texas working at his trade and he
returned home and enlisted in and recruited with C. A. Menges Co. B, 20th Wisconsin
Infantry, being commissioned first lieutenant.
He took part in many important battles and was wounded at the battle of
Prairie Grove. At Carrolton he was taken
ill and sent home on furlough. Later on
he went to Madison for medical examination and was told his recovery was
doubtful. He resigned his commission in
October, 1863. He has been honored with
many local offices of honor and trust—mayor, alderman and supervisor, and also
state senator, all of which offices he filled with credit to all concerned. He is a prominent member of the G.A.R. and is
never happier than when he is associating with his old comrades.
The present
prosperous condition of the firm, its extensive trade, and its uniform courtesy
and honorable business methods bids fair to look forward to a like celebration
60 years hence, and there are no doubt residents of our city today who will
live to join in celebrating the event . . . WG
1915 Death of
Arthur H. Kusel, son of Fred Kusel, brother of Theodore and Walter,
sister of Mrs. Paul Valerius, Chicago.
1949
03 10 The Kusel Dairy Equipment Co., 100 West Milwaukee
Street, which supplies a large share of the nation's cheese factories and dairy
plants with equipment, recently installed a new square shear which is used to
cut steel and which does it so accurately and well that it can be gauged down
to the smallest fraction of an inch. The
company, which is an outgrowth of the D.
& F. Kusel Co. here, which, by the way, will celebrate its 100th
anniversary this summer, is now completely independent of the original company
which maintains its hardware establishment in West Main Street. The dairy equipment company was separated and reorganized about 11
years ago. [1938 ] WDT
03
28 Watertown
Daily Times
Kusel
Dairy Equipment Is
Used
Throughout Nation
Watertown
Concern Produces Variety Of Metal Articles
The Kusel
Dairy Equipment Co.,
The
company which is an outgrowth of the D. & F. Kusel Co. here which by the
way , will celebrate its 100th anniversary this summer, is now completely
independent of the original company which maintains its hardware establishment
in West Main Street. The dairy equipment
company was separated and reorganized about 11 years ago.
Officers
of the company are Daniel (Dick) Kusel, president; Clark F. Derleth, vice
president; and Daniel L. Kusel, secretary-treasurer.
The
company manufactures a variety of dairy equipment such as vats, cheese presses,
agitators, pasteurizers and any number of minor items used in the dairy
industry.
State Best Customer
While
the company ships to and supplies plants in many parts of the country the bulk
of its products are used here in Wisconsin which is a leading dairy state. There is scarcely a section of the state
where the Kusel products have not been installed and in use. The name Kusel has become firmly established
in the industry and its products are known far and wide for their good quality
and the backing of the concern that manufactures them
Some
of its tin plate is imported from England, because England provides larger
sheets than are obtainable here. But on
the whole only American products are used.
At
present the company has some 25 men working in its shops turning out the
products. The latest equipment and
methods are used and every effort is made to improve production methods and products
wherever possible.
Output Increased
Installation
of the square shear is the latest example of that policy. It has increased the output of its particular
job and produces the most efficient and accurate results. It employs a beam of light in its operation
which establishes the utmost accuracy.
The
shear is constructed so that it offers the fullest possible safety to
operators. It is the first device of its
kind in the area
Officials
of the Kusel Dairy Equipment Company are always on the alert for new ideas and
methods to increase the quality and efficiency of their product. Many of the workers have been with the
company for many years. William Frish, a
native of Illinois but who has spent many years in Wisconsin is the shop
superintendent and the company has surrounded him with men qualified in their
field to turn out the best products that can be made and which are helping
carry the name of Watertown far and wide, wherever dairy and cheese factory
equipment is installed and used.
_________________________________________________________________
1984
04 15 Valley Bank of Watertown has
purchased the Kusel [True Value] Hardware Store building, located immediately
west of the bank property on West Main Street.
David Hansen, president of the bank, said the purchase is subject to the
lease agreement between Frank and Sue Witt and the Kusel family, former owner
of the building. Hansen said the bank
purchased the property for possible future expansion. There are no immediate expansion plans. WDT
1999
10
02 WDT
The
ability and foresight to change with the times has enabled Kusel Equipment Co.
to prosper after 150 years in business.
As the
oldest business in Watertown, it continues to serve customers by responding to their
needs with a diversity of new products for various markets.
The
company will celebrate its 150th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 9, with an open
house, demonstrations and refreshments at its plant at 820 West St.
The business
was started in 1849 as a tinsmith shop and then added a hardware store and the
manufacture of equipment for the dairy industry. The company is owned by Gary
R. and Jan Smith of Watertown who have been associated with the business for 26
years.
Gary
R. Smith, president of the firm, said Kusel currently has four major product
lines - dairy equipment, material handling equipment, food processing equipment
and floor drains.
Clik on images to enlarge
Production
and sales of equipment for cheese plants have been the stalwart of the company since
its early years, he explained.
Customers
are worldwide with 25 to 30 percent of products exported. In recent years,
projects have been undertaken in counties such as Siberia, Ukraine, Trinidad,
South Korea, Australia, Poland and many Latin American countries. In sales to
third world countries, Kusel has gone back into its archives and used designs
considered obsolete in this country for 40 years.
Kusel
manufactures equipment used in the production of traditional American cheeses
such as cheddar, Colby and Monterey Jack as well as cottage cheese, mozzarella,
brick, Muenster and countless varieties of ethnic and regional cheeses. Cheeses
are made from the milk of cows as well as other animals including goat,
buffalo, yak, llama and sheep.
As
cheese plants grew in size, Kusel began manufacturing larger equipment. Fifty
to 100 years ago, most of the milk for cheese plants was supplied by farmers
within a few miles radius. These factories processed 5,000 to 20,000 pounds of
milk per day. Today, there are plants producing cheese using 3 million pounds
of milk per day. This increase in production has necessitated a dramatic
increase in the size of equipment. Kusel now manufactures finishing vats
measuring up to 60 feet in length.
The
hardware store originally imported dairy equipment from Europe and then began
using tinsmithing expertise in the manufacture of its own equipment. After
World War II, the use of stainless steel became commonplace, and the company's
dairyware changed from tin to stainless. At the height of the dairy industry,
there were over 3,000 cheese producing plants in Wisconsin. Now the number of
cheese plants in the state has dwindled to less than 300.
The
material handling line of Kusel was added nearly 40 years ago and includes highly
sophisticated electronically controlled equipment to palletize and de-palletize
cans, cases, bottles and bags. The line owes its beginning to a strong demand
in the early 1960s for mechanized equipment to assist local canneries. When the
number of local canning plants began to decline in the 1970s, the company
broadened its base nationally and then internationally. Kusel's most successful
designs are customized single units to fulfill specific and unusual customer
requirements. Units palletize cases of oil in Thailand, sugar in Trinidad,
paper products in the upper peninsula of Michigan, computer software in
Washington, and glassware in New York.
Kusel's
entry into the food processing equipment market began by using its stainless
steel workmanship in the Wisconsin and regional canning companies in the 1960s
and 1970s. In December of 1994, Kusel purchased the assets of Starr Inc. of
Hustisford and combined the two operations in Watertown. The acquisition
solidified the company's position in the food processing area.
Primary
products of this division include items such as waterless peelers/scrubbers,
water vapor cookers, conveyors, and size graders. The company has the ability
to produce single pieces of equipment or complete production lines.
"The
worldwide need for this line of equipment is very evident and the company is
devoting significant effort into further developing this growth market,"
said Smith. Equipment is used for the manufacture of potato chips, french fried
potatoes, baby carrots, onions, corn for tortilla chips, and nuts.
The
idea for the manufacture of stainless steel floor drains evolved from an
employee's trip to South Africa in the mid 1980s. "This product fine has
continued to expand and we are the manufacturer of choice for leading companies
in the dairy, meat, wine, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food processing
industry. Kusel was a pioneer in using stainless steel in the production of
floor drains and other related products, and has received great market
recognition because of the sanitary qualities of its design. "We are
equipped to rapidly respond to a customer's need for a single drain as well as
large projects," noted Smith.
"The
success of Kusel for 150 years has been possible only because of the company's ability
to change with the times. When Daniel Kusel Sr. began the business in 1849, his
unique skill of tinsmithing was very marketable. As times changed, Kusel
changed, emphasizing different products. The company's continued success has
been possible only by listening to customer needs and developing appropriate
product lines," said Smith.
Today
Kusel Equipment Co. employs approximately 50 people with the average tenure of
employment 14 years. Employment longevity ranges from less than one year to 59
years.
Ronald
Millin, director of manufacturing, began his career with the company in 1940
and today, 59 years later, is still a strong part of the management team.
"The
dedication of Kusel employees throughout the 150 years has been the back- bone
of success. Kusel employees take pride in their workmanship, their job
responsibilities, and their community," said Smith.
The company has come a long way since its beginning in downtown
Watertown where tinsmith Daniel Kusel started the business on West Main Street
on June 22, 1849. Kusel was a tinsmith in Grabow, Germany, before bringing his
trade to Watertown. He soon added the manufacture of copper and sheet-iron
products along with the hardware business. As an offshoot of its long
experience in fabricating sheet metal, the company gradually began to produce
equipment for the dairy industry.
The
business was incorporated as D. & F. Kusel in 1897 after Daniel's sons,
Daniel H. and Fred, took it over.
The
Kusel business was split in 1938 when the dairy equipment part of the business
company separated from the retail store. The retail store was purchased by
Frank and Sue Witt in 1972 and closed in May 1985. The hardware store was the
oldest in continuous operation in the state of Wisconsin.
The
newly-created dairy business was called Kusel Dairy Equipment Co. and headed by
Daniel "Dick" O. Kusel. At that time, the company was located at 100
W. Milwaukee St. Members of the Kusel family sold the business in 1973.
Gary
R. Smith, formerly of Peoria, IL., and Robert J. Elfline of Elmhurst, IL.,
purchased the assets of Kusel Dairy Equipment Co. on Oct. 31, 1973. To assist
the new owners in moving the company forward, former president Clark Derleth
came out of retirement and resumed an active role in the company until 1976.
After
being employed by the company as vice president for one year, Smith was named
president.
In
1975, the company was renamed Kusel Equipment Co. to receive broader
recognition in the marketplace. Gary and Jan Smith acquired 100 percent ownership
in 1977. The company was moved from 100 W. Milwaukee St. to 820 West St. in
1978. David Smith, son of Jan and Gary, joined the business in 1998 as
engineering manager, and will be the second generation of Smiths to carry on
the family tradition into the new millennium.
Significant events in Kusel Equipment history
1849 -
Daniel Kusel Sr. immigrates to U.S. from Grabow, Germany, and establishes
tinware fabricating business in Watertown.
1863 -
Frederick Kusel (son) is captain of Watertown's Company E, 20th Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War.
1864 -
Daniel Kusel Sr. helps establish Northwestern College, now known as Luther
Preparatory School.
1864 -
Brothers Fred and Daniel H. Kusel rename the company D. & F. Kusel.
1897 - D.
& F. Kusel incorporates.
1903 - D.
& F. Kusel begins manufacturing equipment for the dairy industry
1938 -
Hardware store and manufacturing business become separate entities. Kusel Dairy
Equipment incorporated.
1960 -
Material handling product line is added.
1973 - Kusel
family sells business to Robert J. Effline and Gary R. Smith.
1975 - Name
changed to Kusel Equipment Co.
1976 - Gary
R. Smith becomes president of the business.
1977 - Gary
R. Smith and Jan Smith acquire 100 percent ownership.
1978 - Kusel
Equipment Co. moves to new location at 820 West St.
1984 - Kusel
introduces stainless steel floor drains.
1994 - Kusel
acquires Starr Inc., a food processing equipment manufacturer.
1998 - David
J. Smith, son of Gary and Jan, joins company as engineering manager.
________________________________________________________________
2003
Kusel buys smokehouse manufacturer
Kusel
Equipment of Watertown has acquired Vortron Inc. of Beloit. Vortron is a long-standing manufacturer of commercial
smokehouses for large and small-scale meat processors. Vortron, which has four employees, will
remain based in Beloit.
Kusel
is a 154-year-old Watertown- based manufacturer of food and vegetable
processing equipment, cheese equipment and sanitary drainage systems.
________________________________________________________________
Click
to enlarge
Exterior
c1910 Interior c1920s
________________________________________________________________
August
F. Kusel Obit, 1843-1934
August
F. Kusel, member of an old Watertown family and one of the few remaining civil
war veterans in this section, died January 29, 1934, at his home, 414 North Water
Street. Death claimed him at 7:30
o'clock and was due to infirmities of age.
Mr.
Kusel was the son of the late Daniel Kusel, founder of the present day D &
F Kusel Co. He was born in Domnitz,
Mecklenberg, Germany on March 29, 1843 and came to America in 1849. The family
settled in Watertown and had been his home ever since with the exception of a
few years which he spent in Nebraska.
His
services in the civil war started on August 18, 1862 with his enlistment as a
sergeant in Co. E 20th Wisconsin regiment, volunteer
infantry, which was Watertown's own company.
He was wounded in the historic battle of Prairie Grove and was returned
to the north and spent three months in a Madison hospital. He was honorably discharged on April 25,
1863.
Worked for Father
Following
his discharge he returned to Watertown and went to work for his father in his
tin-shop in West Main Street where he continued work for a short period. Then
he went west and established a general store in Logan, Neb., where he served as
postmaster for a number of years. In 1872 he returned to Watertown where he
resumed his work as a tin-smith until his retirement some years ago.
Mr. Kusel's
wife, formerly Margareta Heller, preceded him in death some years ago. They
were married in the west.
Four
children survive, Mrs. Edward Luther and William Kusel of Hooper, Neb., Mrs.
William Meschke of Rochester, Minn., and Mrs. Henry Hilbert who resides at the
Kusel home in this city. There are five grandchildren.
Mr.
Kusel was the last surviving member of his family. He was a St. Mark's Lutheran
Church and was one of the few remaining members of the O.
D. Pease post, G. A. R. when it disbanded a few years ago. With his death,
there remain but two civil war veterans in Watertown, Sebastian Blonigan and
Joseph Haberkorn.
Recalled Old Comrade
A
short time before his death, Mr. Kusel recalled that as far as he knew only one
of his old civil war comrades who served in the same company with him was still
alive. He was August Schmutzler of Beaver Dam.
Mr.
Kusel was a picturesque man. He was keen and alert despite his great age and
enjoyed having visitors and callers. He enjoyed talking over old times and
until his eyes began to fail him he was an avid reader. In recent years he had
been confined to his home but always manifested a great interest in community
events.
The
funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon from their home where services will be
conducted at 1:30 o'clock followed by services in St. Mark's Lutheran church,
the Rev. Julius Klingmann officiating. Burial was in the Lutheran cemetery.
The
body was taken to the Nowack funeral home and then returned to the home where
friends called to pay their respects up to the time of the service.
________________________________________________________________
Louis
H. Kusel Obit, 1866-1947
Portrait
omitted
Louis
H. Kusel, president of the D. & F. Kusel Co., one of Watertown’s oldest and
best known business concerns, died
Mr.
Kusel had been at his daily work on Friday. Saturday he did not feel well and his
wife prevailed upon him to remain at home, which he did. His death came
suddenly and unexpectedly.
Born
in Watertown, Mr. Kusel was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Kusel. He was
born Sept. 28, 1866. He attended the public schools here and also Northwestern
College where he enrolled in the business course. Later he attended a Milwaukee
business college and then, upon his return, went into the hardware store here
and became associated with the business bearing the family name. At the time of
his death he was president of the company.
Mr.
Kusel was married to Miss Margaret Hartig on June 19, 1901. She survives, as do
a daughter, Louise, at home, and two sons, Edwin and William, also of this
city. There is one granddaughter. Mr. Kusel was also survived by three
brothers, Daniel (Dick) Kusel, Watertown; Ernst
Kusel, Ashland, Ore, and George Kusel, New Rochelle, N. Y.
Mr.
Kusel was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and the Watertown Association
of Commerce.
One of
the city’s conservative business leaders, Mr. Kusel brought many of the old
business virtues into his daily dealings with the store's trade. He maintained personal contact with customers
and was always on hand to greet them whenever he was in the store. He spent
most of his time there and gave personal attention to directing the business.
He was a good business man and believed a store should stand back of its goods
and services.
Over
the years he was active in the life of the community and a leader in Watertown
business circles. He liked Watertown and its people and was always interested
in promoting the welfare of the city and its progressive expansion and
development.
As
president of the store, he was looking forward to the time when it would celebrate
its centennial, which would have been in about another two years, for the Kusel
company stems from one of the oldest business establishments in the city.
There
were many who paid tribute to Mr. Kusel and his fair dealing as a business man
when news of his death spread throughout the city.
The
funeral was held from the Schmutzler Funeral Home, the Rev. William F.
Chamberlain, rector of St. Paul's Church, officiated. Interment was in Oak
Hill Cemetery.
Kusel Home
Land
grants were given in 1848 in Watertown with the provision that the new land
owner commit himself "to erect a good respectable house on the
property" within a year. The original home at 216 North Church Street,
owned by the Kusel family for 105 years, was built as a small home in 1849 and
purchased by Daniel Kusel in 1870 from a Robert Howell. Miss Louise Kusel,
present occupant, is the fourth generation Kusel to occupy the home.
Daniel
Kusel was a tinsmith, born in Mecklenberg, Germany, in 1838. Shortly after his
arrival he opened a stove and tinware business in 1849. In 1864 his sons,
Daniel and Frank purchased the business and expanded it into the Kusel
Hardware.
The
original small house was greatly expanded by the Kusels with three large rooms
across the front, originally the parlor, the every day living room, and the
room for guests. A great deal of the woodwork has now been taken out of the
home; a "widow's walk" was added to the top of the house many years
ago.
The
old roof line can be seen inside the attic area. Today the home is a large 13
room brick home with high ceilings throughout.
The first
Daniel Kusel was a founder of St. Mark's Church and a very active member of the
planning board that built Northwestern College. Frank Kusel, one of the sons,
built his own home at 302 North Church Street. He was mayor of Watertown in
1872.
In
property adjacent to both the Kusel homes are the underground cellars that were
used to age cheese and beer in early Watertown.
Cross-References:
No 1:
Beal & Torrey building became site for Kusel Dairy Equipment
No 2: Online history article
No 3: Louis Cordes, employee
No 4 : Luther grinder display
Drawing, 108-110 W Main, on left, 1895
