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Watertown Post Office
1847
06 30 Daily
Mail to Milwaukee
In compliance with the wishes of the inhabitants of this
village, Messrs. FRINK & Co. have commenced carrying a daily mail between this place and Milwaukee. By the terms of their contract, they are only
required to carry it tri-weekly. This
generous effort on the part of these gentlemen to place our businessmen in
daily communication with the east is worthy of all commendation. By this arrangement, all the post offices
between here and Milwaukee are also furnished with daily eastern and western
mail. Watertown Chronicle
1855
12 27 Post Office moved to one of the rooms
in the new block erected on Second St.
Building now used as Post office is about to be taken away to make place
for a three story brick block. WD
1858
07 08 Regulation on newspapers and periodicals WD
07 15 Appointment of Gen. James Potter
as postmaster WD
07 15 Move from
Second St to the Democrat Block, on Main St WD
09 30 News Room opened, John Miller,
in Post Office bldg WD
1859
02 17 Call for more direct mail service
between Watertown and Jefferson WD
04
28 Post
Office moved to corner of West Avenue [Main St] and Water streets
06 16 Proposals for carrying mail from post
office to railroad depot WD
1867 Justus Moak
was appointed postmaster in 1867 by President Andrew Johnson and held the office
during the succeeding administrations of Presidents Grant, Hayes, Garfield and
Arthur. He was relieved by President
Cleveland and reappointed by President Harrison, retiring about one year after
the commencement of President Cleveland’s second term, making his service as
postmaster cover a period of 23 years.
While postmaster Mr. Moak made
the postal service a careful, practical study, bringing it up to the dignity of
a profession in Watertown, making that office a model for neatness and accuracy. He was an excellent authority upon all
subjects pertaining to postal laws, rules and regulations. Quite a number of young men have graduated
under his tutorship and are now holding important and responsible positions in
various branches of the service, and he had a host of friends throughout the
state and nation who sincerely regret his death.
When J. T. Moak received the
appointment of postmaster, William Voss
became his deputy.
1875 Post office next to Watertown House, S.
First St. [1875-76 City Dir].
1892 December 5, 1906, was the
fourteenth anniversary of the 1892 establishment of the free mail delivery
system in Watertown. A fact in
connection with the same is that George
Weber and Frank Schulz, present carriers,
have been in the service ever since the inauguration of the system. They are two of the original four.
1895
02 13 A new post office has been established
in the eastern part of the town of Watertown WR
08 21 Wisconsin Telephone
exchange located in the Post Office block
WR
1899 Post
Office 101 Main - Wm. F. Gruetzmacher, postmaster; J. T. Moak, asst.
postmaster. Office hours from 7:30 A.M.
to 8 P.M.; money order department, 7:30 A.M. to 6 P.M.; mails close twenty
minutes before departure of trains. Watertown
City Directory
1905 "Representative H. C. Evans called at the post office
department today at the request of Postmaster General Wynn to consider the
dismissal of Postmaster William F. Gruetzmacher of Watertown., Wis., and to
make a recommendation for a successor in that office. It appears that the removal
of Postmaster Gruetzmacher was decided upon by the department on the strength
of the report of a post office inspector who claimed to have found
irregularities in the Watertown office, but not attributing wrong-doing on the
part of the postmaster nor making charges involving turpitude against him. The
point was simply made that the irregularities had occurred during his service
as postmaster. Mr. Adams has not heard anything about the charges or any
suggestions of a change in the Watertown office until called to the department
today. He made a strong plea for Postmaster Gruetzmacher. The reply of the
Postmaster General was that the postmaster has been removed but the department
would take under consideration a request for further hearing in the case. Postmaster
Gruetzmacher has been in office about three years, having been appointed on the
recommendation of former Representative Dahle, and the term does not expire
until some time next year."
The above appeared in the
Washington correspondence in last week Wednesday's Milwaukee Sentinel, and caused great surprise here. On being interviewed by The Gazette editor regarding postmaster W. F. Gruetzmacher stated
that he had received a wire from Congressman Adams asking him if he desired a
hearing. He answered in the affirmative
and expects a date to be set soon for a hearing of the case. 02 14
1905 A Washington dispatch of May 24
says: The post office department today made an order to the effect that
Postmaster W. F. Gruetzmacher at Watertown will not be removed for the present
and will probably be permitted to serve out the remainder of his term, which
does not expire for about a year. Upon an order made in the closing days of
Postmaster General Wynne's term, Mr. Gruetzmacher was to be removed. This was
based upon a report by a post office inspector who asserted that there were
irregularities in the office, and although the postmaster was not directly
responsible therefore, he was held to be generally responsible for the conduct
of his office and his retirement for the good of the service was ordered.
Postmaster General Cortelyou declined to rescind the order of his predecessor,
but decided to have another investigation made, the result of which is that the
postmaster will be retained. 06 01
1905
Watertown Republican, 12 13 1905
Extensive improvements are in progress at the
telephone exchange and when completed, this city will have one of the largest
and most convenient exchanges in the state. The entire second floor of the post
office building is to be occupied, and will be so arranged that the
superintendent's office and the apartments for the male employees will be in
the front end of the building, the operating room in the center and ladies'
rooms in the rear reached by a side door at the south end of the balcony. Each
of the office apartments will be provided with lavatories and every appointment
up-to-date. A new large switchboard has already been received, as well as other
necessary equipment for making it a perfect exchange in all the requirements
for a first-class service. The improvements are being made under the personal
supervision of W. C. Stone, and it is unnecessary to remark, that nothing will
be left undone to give the people of this city as good a telephone service as
is possible to be obtained.
During the past year many improvements have been made
in the local post office looking toward the safer and more speedy handling of
the mails. The prosperity of our city is shown by the increase in receipts
during the period from December 1, 1904 to Dec. 1, 1905 as compared with the
same period a year before.
The importance of the office is shown by the fact that
18 mails are received and 13 dispatched daily. Night service has recently been
inaugurated whereby mails are dispatched at all hours of the night, thereby
giving us the same service as the first class offices, and mail deposited in
the post office or package box at the P. O. corner before 3:00 am will reach
Milwaukee and Chicago or intermediate points in time for the first morning delivery.
Mail received on the night trains is immediately sorted for the carriers, whose
average time of leaving the office is 7:45 a.m. The present force consists of
the postmaster, his assistant and 4 clerks, besides 5 city and 8 rural
carriers.
1906
01 11 1906
The post office controversy has been settled and H. T. Eberle is to be the next postmaster for
the city of Watertown for reason that it is unnecessary to state, but which are
well known to the other aspirants for the place, it became necessary for
Congressman Adams to recommend a third man as a compromise and he recommended
H. T. Eberle. His appointment, as far as the writer has been able to ascertain
gives general satisfaction to the public and patron of the office. Mr. Eberle
is a druggist [Eberle Drug Store, Racek Building, 204-206 Main Street], has
resided here many years, and is a good businessman and an exemplary citizen. He
is uprights manly and has high ideals to moral and social requirements. Those who
are intimately acquainted with him are confident that he will make a very
efficient and popular official and be a worthy successor to the present
postmaster, who will retire from the office at the expiration of his term,
after eight years of service, with a consciousness of having been a faithful
officer with no reflection upon his honor and character as a man, either at
home or in the post office department at Washington D. C.
The rumor that Mr. Eberle has chosen a deputy is
untrue. He has made no promises and does not propose to appoint a deputy until
he has received his commission and is about to enter upon the discharge of his
duty and will then give his entire time to the performance of his duty, his son
Ralph taking charge of his drug business thus relieving him of all
responsibilities outside of the post office.
1906
01 12 1906
The post office inspector has been here and
recommended a remodeling of the post office in this city. The changes
contemplated, are an enlargement of the lobby which all will admit, is
altogether too small for the convenience of the public, the private office of
the postmaster is to be made larger in order that the safe may be under the
personal supervision of the postmaster and constantly under his control. The
working office or distributing room has to be enlarged by utilizing the room in
the rear now occupied by the Union Telegraph Co. which will seek quarters
elsewhere. Work on the improvements are to be begun in the near future and be
thought completed by the time that Postmaster Gruezmacher retires from the
office so that his successor will step into an office more convenient and in
keeping with the size and business of the city that it is at present. The work
of remodeling and improving the office will be under the supervision of W. C.
Stone, the owner of the building which is a guarantee that they will be
substantial and up-to-date.
1906
03 09 1906
Through the influence of postmaster Gruetzmacher a
post office inspector will be sent here at an early date to investigate the
necessity for an additional mail carrier in the city. For a long time it has
been found impossible for carriers now employed to cover the territory in the
city twice a day and the residence district. The coming of an inspector will no
doubt demonstrate that our postmaster is right in asking for an increase of the
force, in order that the city may have prompt and efficient service. W. F. Gruetzmacher has been a very
enterprising and thoughtful official as is evidenced in the good service he has
rendered with the limited force at his command and the public owe him a debt of
gratitude for his uniform courtesy and thoughtfulness in his official capacity.
1906
03 13 1906
Saturday evening, W. F. Gruetzmacher who had taken
postmaster of this city turned the office over to his successor, H. T. Eberle
who was recently appointed to the position. In retiring the office, Mr.
Gruetzmacher can do so with a full consciousness that he had discharged every
duty as a public official well and faithfully. During his administration he
aided in establishing eight rural routes which have been of great convenience
to the agricultural districts adjacent to the city. Under his administration
the postoffice was remodeled and made more convenient and metropolitan in
appearance and other changes are anticipated . . .
1906
03 17 1906
Friday noon, Postmaster Gruetzmacher being a witness
before the grand jury in the United States court and anxious to leave for home
on an early afternoon train, a motion was made to adjourn. Mr. Gruetzmacher
forgetting himself and thinking no doubt that he was in an old fashioned
caucus, objected much to the amusement of the jurors, but his objection stood
however and the evidence of the witnesses who desired to go home was taken and
they all left for home thanking Mr. Gruetzmacher for his “objection” and the
kindness of the jury.
1906
03 18 1906
(03 18) Special Inspector Gould of Washington was in
the city Thursday inspecting the post office. It is reported that he found considerable
fault with it, because it was too narrow and inconvenient. It is the best
location in the city and should be remodeled as is anticipated it will do until
we have a government building which aught to be erected within the next three
years.
1906
When the post
office building has been remodeled, the room now occupied by the post office
will be occupied in part by C. A. Gamm as a drug store, the room in the immediate rear, by
Joseph Robinson as a barbershop and the Western Union Telegraph office will
remain where it is at the present time. The location is one of the best in the
city, being in the business center, in close proximity to Masonic Temple into
which the post office is to be moved, two banks and on a prominent corner by
which passes many people during each day in the year . . . The gentlemen, who
are to occupy rooms in the building, were fortunate in securing the same at a
moderate rental.
MOVED TO 2 E MAIN
1906
05 11 1906
A week from this Sunday morning
the post office will be moved into the new quarters in the Masonic Temple
building [2 E Main]. The change will be
made so quick that on Monday morning following, Postmaster Eberle and his force
will be ready for business in the new quarters, which will make a most
desirable place. The lock boxes will be run across the front of the room,
giving a most excellent light for the patrons of the office and the working
force. The postmaster's office will be located directly back of the elevator shaft.
The arrangements will be excellent and will add further in giving the patrons
the best service possible. During the process of moving and arranging the new
office the patrons of the office will undoubtedly be inconvenienced to a
certain extent, but they should be charitable and overlook any trifling
inconvenience.
c1907, 2 E Main St, Portion of PC_325
1906
07 18 “Where will
the new post office be located” is the common question now, and as yet no one
seems to be willing to risk an answer. The sites are being discussed but there
are always objections to be offered so that no site seems to be universally
agreed upon on the general talk. There are really no available sites on Main
Street that can be purchased at the moment that has been appropriated by the
government for this purpose. Consequently a site will have to be secured on a
side street large enough to comply with the requirements of the treasury
department, unless the citizens will contribute a sufficient amount to make up
the amount appropriated and the cost of a desirable site large enough to meet
the requirements of the government. It is a matter that should receive the
earnest consideration of every citizen at an early date.
08 17 Offers of
three sites for a government building in this city have been sent to the
treasury department at Washington. There
may be other offers, if there are, they have not been reported to the Leader.
The sites offered here are the
property at southwest corner of Second and Madison streets, the Duffy property
on Fourth street and a parcel of land on the west side, the location of which
is kept a secret. The property at the corner of Second and Madison streets is
the most desirable, being near the business center of the city and comes nearer
to the demands of the government as to area.
In the course of time a
representative of the government will be sent to view the several properties
offered and upon his judgment, as to size, availability and location of the
sites offered the government will be influenced in making a choice. The Leader is disinterested in the matter
insofar as to have the location central so as to accommodate the greatest
number of our citizens, especially the business men of the city.
1908
03 31
(50 years after
1858 move to Main St) Another move has
been made toward the government building for Watertown, to be erected on the
site at the corner of Second and Madison streets, the title to the same having
just been cleared for the government. The following dispatch appeared in the Evening Wisconsin last night: Washington D.C., March 27 - (Special)
Representative Nelson introduced a bill appropriating $50,000, for the erection
of a public building at Watertown, Wis.
The government has already secured a site at this point. WG
06 07 $65,000 appropriation becomes $20,000.
WL
06 10 Bill granting $65,000 for the government
building passed Congress and signed by President. WL
07 10 House removed from the property sold U. S.
government WG
07 17 Clerks and carriers received a raise of $100 per annum.
WG
08 07 W F Richards appointed railway
mail clerk. WG
09 18 John Carey and
Elizabeth Kioes marriage. Carey
carried the mail between the railway stations and post office.
1909
02 05 Winter storm cripples rural mail delivery WDT
03 13 Rural free delivery of mail is now eleven
years old WG
04 09 Transcript of the post office site at
Watertown WG
05 07 Nettie Saban-William Richards marriage, post office
employee WG
06 11 Examination for clerks and carriers
WG
1916
02 04 Clerks tested for efficiency WDT
1921
11 02 William Voss death, Postmaster
J. M. Moore comment on WDT
1923
05 17 Jim Spear traded horses for gas; was first mail carrier appointed from
Watertown post office WG
1957
10 30 Charles McKeigue and William
Muir retire. WDT
1982
10 30 Albin Zinda “Postmaster
of the Year” WDT
1983
08 07 Janet Bauer
named postmaster
1998
03 24 Jeffrey D. Hoffmann, 34, succeeded Art
Hamann as postmaster WDT
1999
01 06 H rate makeup stamp hard to find WDT
2009
05 15 Mary Woodard Lasker Stamp Ceremony
Cross-References:
Post Office, 1898, Corner Main and First, 101 E Main, WHS_004_NT044
Post Office, 1898, Corner Main and First, 101 E Main,
WHS_004_NT045
Post Office, 1912,
Laying of cornerstone for, 118 N Second
Post Office, 1912,
postcard
Post Office, 1917c,
postcard
Post Office, 1920s,
postcard
Post Office, 1940s,
postcard
Post Office, employee,
George J. Weber
Post Office, employee,
Frank Schulz
