This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website
Schempf’s Department Store
George S. Schempf
Schempf Brothers
____________________________________________
Schempf’s Drug Store
1902, Building at 209-211 Main. Image is prior to 1903 addition of a
third floor
Founded by George Schempf. Opened in Sept of 1899. Closed in 1936
Schempf's
"Big Cash Store" was the local Gimbel’s or
Chapman's in earlier days. With three floors of merchandise and a grocery
department in its large building (later occupied by Kresge’s),
it had a real passenger elevator and an overhead money shuttle service that
used to fascinate youngsters.
The
store was founded by George S. Schempf (Johanna)
after his return from the California gold rush. He brought in his nephews,
Leonard and John, as partners, and they were the proprietors of the store in
its golden age. The last of the family to run the store were Max Kusel, who had married Amanda Schempf,
and Edward L. Schempf, a gifted singer who often
appeared as soloist in choral concerts. The store was taken over in 1936.
1903 Third
Floor Opening, 11 21 1903
Last
Saturday Schempf Brothers’ Third Floor opening
attracted thousands of people. A third story has been added to their business
block, and has been recently completed. This is stocked with a large assortment
of cloaks, shirts, waists, furs, carpets, rugs, curtains, draperies and fancy
arts goods, and on Saturday the very large crowd that visited the opening were
highly pleased with what they saw in the line of elegant goods, and also the
arrangement of this large, well lighted and well arranged addition to Schempf Bros. Co. business house. It was beautifully decorated with palms and
greenery, and in the evening eight Humphrey four-glow gas lamps illuminated the
place to perfection. The Apollo Orchestra, stationed on the second floor
furnished music in the afternoon and evening. The elevator just placed in the
store was a great convenience for the visitors on this day, and nearly every
visitor took advantage of it and visited the 3d floor, it being the first and
only passenger elevator in use in Watertown. Schempf
Bros. Co. is to be congratulated on the success of their opening, and the
people of Watertown and vicinity have every reason to feel proud of this old
and reliable business house.
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John W. Schempf Sells Drug Store
1906
09 11 It has been known for several days that
there has been a change in the Schempf Drug Company
and the Leader has been anxiously
awaiting the time when it could impart the information to its readers, but was
requested not to do so by Mr. John Schempf and the
new purchaser of his interest for certain reasons best known to themselves.
After
a business career here for several years, Mr. Schempf
has disposed of his interest in the business to Mr. W. G. Atwell, who has
already assumed charge of the business. It is with much regret that Mr. Schempf's many friends learn of his retirement from the
business which he began seven years ago with modest beginnings, till he has
worked up an enviable reputation and an excellent business - in fact a drug
store that is a model of beauty and one that would be a credit to any city much
larger than Watertown. The regrets are more keen when
it is known that Mr. Schempf at no great distant date
is to engage in business elsewhere. Watertown Leader
1906
09 14 John W. Schempf has disposed of his
interest in the Schempf Drug Co. to W. G. Atwell, of
Colby, who has already taken charge of the business. Mr. Schempf has
been closely confined in his business for the past seven years and he found
that it is necessary for him to take a vacation for the benefit of his health,
and he knew of no better way of doing so than to dispose of his business and be
relieved of all cares. He intends taking
a trip to Boston, and Atlanta, Georgia, and other places in the east and
south. He will be absent from the city
for about two months, and at the end of that time may decide to engage in
business again, but outside this city.
Our people regret his move, so far as it taken him out of the business
life of this place, for he was looked up to as one of Watertown's most
enterprising and popular young business men, and all wish him success wherever
he may locate. His successor, W. G.
Atwell, comes to: our city well recommended — being a first-class druggist and
possessing an interesting and progressive spirit. Our people welcome himself
and wife to our city, and all trust that they will find Watertown a pleasant
and profitable place to reside. WG
1911
06 22 The employees of Schempf
Bros. store enjoyed an outing at Silver Lake last Monday evening, making the
trip on the Interurban railway. WG
1914 Erwin Bitttner and Max Tetzlaff took
over the old John Schempf drug store in Main Street
in 1914.
_________________________________________________________________
Edward
L. Schempf
Watertown Leader, 08 16 1906
Edward
W. Schempf lies suffering at
his home at Jones Street, the result of a stabbing affair in the town of Clyman yesterday afternoon in which he received three ugly
wounds, the offender being a farm laborer by the name of Fred Mundt.
From
information received last evening, it appears that trouble had been brewing
between Mundt and Schempf,
both of whom were working on the Leonard Schempf farm
in the town of Clyman, the owner of the place being
the step-father of the victim of the stabbing affair. It is said that the parties had an
altercation a couple of weeks ago, but finally became reconciled and shook
hands and became friends once more.
Just
how the trouble started yesterday, the Leader
representative was unable to learn. It
is said that the two men were engaged in harvest work and were standing on a
stack of grain, when Mundt suddenly pulled a knife
and flew at Schempf in a rage and began cutting
him. The result was that Schempf received a couple of bad gashes in the arm and
another bad wound in the chest. The
latter, it is reported, was not far from the heart, a spot the offender no
doubt attempted to reach.
Montgomery
Ward closes
Watertown Leader, 09 08 1907
The
future occupancy of the store building at
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1908
10 23 Arthur Heide and
bride surprised by store WG
1909
02 19 Edward Schempf
had singing part in sacred cantata at St. Paul’s Episcopal WG
04 23 Robbery at store WG
09 10 Ed Schempf and John Goodnetter
returned from New York; selected fall and winter goods WG
07 23 Fire at store; imitation palm WG
1910
209-211 Main
12 30 Aaron Meade, for ten years past salesman in the white
goods department of Schempf Bros. Co. store, has
resigned, his position and on January 2nd will enter the employ of the J. M. Bostwick Co., Janesville, and will have charge of the white
goods and linen department in their store.
Mr. Meade is one of Watertown's most popular residents, and our people
will regret the departure of himself and wife from our city very much. WG
1911
03 16 Capital Stock Increased. The capital stock of Schempf
Bros. Co. store has been increased from $75,000 to $100,000, making it one of
the strongest financial mercantile establishments in Wisconsin. The firm now does an annual business of over
$250,000 and the business of the firm is increasing from year to year. Over 50 sales people are employed in this
popular store and more sales people are being added from time to time. The officers of the firm are John Schempf, president; Max G. Kusel,
vice president; Edward L. Schempf, secretary
treasurer. WG
1915
Schempf Ad, 1915
1920 John Schempf
John Schempf
1844 - 1920
ANGEL
OF DEATH CALLS JOHN SCHEMPF
PIONEER
RESIDENT
One of
Watertown’s Foremost Business Men
And
Worthy Citizens
Succumbs
at Home This Morning
Schempf,
John, b. 1844, d. 1920, Sec 25
John Schempf, pioneer resident and one of the most widely known
business men in this section of Wisconsin, answered the call of death in the
family home,
John Schempf was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George F. Schempf and was born in Milwaukee
The
keen aptitude and rare business judgment of Mr. Schempf
was shown in the rapid development of a business which has grown to immense
proportions and spread all over this section of the country, the firm name
becoming a household word in thousands of homes where the impress of honest
dealing and worth was stamped upon it by the marked personality and character
of its founder and head, a fitting legacy to those who come after him.
On
Long Business Career
Mr. Schempf began his long and honorable business life more
than 60 years ago and during that time his name was a synonym for honesty and
integrity. He was a type of the
forceful, self reliant man of the kind who have left
their mark on the upbuilding of the community. He was primarily the keen man of business,
but with the liberal tastes so well known.
Of a genial and happy disposition he shed the radiance of good cheer wherever
he went and was always a favorite in the social world of which he was a
part. His nature was of the quality
which makes and keeps friends.
Democratic by nature, he gathered about him warm friendships which
endured during life. He never aspired to
public life, taking interest, however, in all that meant the better welfare of
the city, a generous giver to every worth cause without ostentation, and the
community will deplore the loss of an active and widely popular business man
and citizen.
Mr. Schempf is survived by his widow and four children: Edward L. Schempf,
Miss Elsa Schempf, Watertown, Mrs. O. Weber, Stevens
Point, John W. Schempf, Milwaukee. Seven grandchildren also survive.
The
funeral will take place on Monday afternoon.
Services will be conducted in the home by the Rev. Julius Kingmann of St. Mark’s Lutheran church at 2 o’clock.
The
burial will be in
Oak Hill cemetery. Friends are kindly requested to omit flowers.
The Mayor’s Tribute
Mr. Schempf’s death is deeply mourned all over the city,
especially by the older residents who were closely associated with him in a
social and business way for many years.
In
speaking of the life and character of the deceased, Mayor Herman Wertheimer
said: “John Schempf
was a most exemplary citizen and was always loyal to Watertown, its people,
institutions and enterprises. I knew him
as a friend and business man for over fifty years, and can truly say of him
that in his quiet and natural way, he all the time endeavored to promote the
best interest of the community, and his assistance was always substantial and
effective.”
“A
thorough business man from the time of his youth, he was well prepared to
develop the mercantile business of which he had a perfect understanding. His integrity was of the highest order and
the people all over this section reposed in him the fullest of confidence. Mr. Schempf was
truly a man of honor, possessing a genial, kindly disposition, and as such he
was beloved and esteemed by all our people.”
An Appreciation
Charles
E. Frey, president of the Merchants National Bank,
of which the deceased was a founder and director said: “Watertown can point to no finer character
man than that of Mr. Schempf. For over a half a century he was numbered
among the leading business men of this city and none stood higher in the public
estimation. He was a business man in the
true sense and meaning of the term, and devoted himself energetically to the
advancement of his enterprise.”
“His
main business principle was honesty and he believed in applying in detail all
true business methods. His high
integrity, which brought him the unqualified confidence of the people, coupled
with a ready judgment and great energies, secured for him a notable and
successful business career.”
“He
was a man of generous impulses, who took a kindly interest in his fellow men.”
1957
11 24 Kresge
store expands into former Schempf’s / Montgomery
Ward building WDT
2012
04 24 Mid-town
shooting range, gun shop, gets
approval
The Watertown Plan Commission
granted a conditional use permit to allow a retail gun dealership and a
shooting range to open at 209 E. Main St.
The new business would be called Martz’ Muzzlez
Range and Dealership. In the initial
phase, the business is planning on opening the firing range, retail space and a
member’s lounge.
The building at 209 E. Main St.
has been vacant since Calico Cottage moved out five years ago.
The company also plans on
renovating the second floor to open an education center for gun safety and
training classes, advanced laser ranges for police training and a gunsmith
shop.
The company will also be
purchasing and renovating 207 E. Main St. and will look to rent the space out
to a separate business.
They also plan on renovating the
third floors on both 207 and 209 E. Main streets to rent out as residential
living spaces. WDT
Image Portfolio
Click to enlarge
|
Weltburger 1892 Ad |
1908,
Main and Third Schempf’s is on
the left |
The Big Cash
Store |
|
Cross-References:
Schempf’s shopping bag
handle
Nephew John was originally proprietor
of Schempf’s Rexall Drug Store, interior
of store (WI His Soc link)
1909: The singing of the
Apollo Club was directed by Edward
L. Schempf WG
Harry Huth,
druggist apprenticeship in the Schempf drug store.
