Schempf’s

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Schempf’s Department Store

George S. Schempf

Schempf Brothers

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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.

Schempf Drug Store

Watertown Leader, 09 11 1906

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.

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 209 Main Street, now occupied by the Montgomery Ward and Company, is still in doubt. The Montgomery Ward concern made known last Oct. 19 that it would close its store here on Jan. 15 of this year and plans to that end are now being carried out. So far no tenant has been announced for the store, once known as the Schempf Bros. Co. department store. There have been many rumors concerning future occupancy of the four story building but all have proved to be rumors and nothing more. One deal that was contemplated has not materialized. Schempf Bros. operated the store for 88 years before it went out of business in 1936. The doors closed on May 16 of that year.

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1908

10 23 Arthur Heide and bride surprised by store WG

1909

02 19 Edward L. Schempf had singing part in sacred cantata at St. Paul’s Episcopal WG

04 23 Robbery at store WG

09 10 Edward L. Schempf and John Goodnetter returned from New York; selected fall and winter goods WG

07 23 Fire at store; imitation palm WG

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, 803 Clyman Street, this morning after a brief illness. He was confined to his home since December 7 with heart trouble which was complicated later with pneumonia. While his condition was known to be serious, relatives and friends alike hoped for a recovery to prolong his useful life, but medical aid, care and attention proved of no avail and he passed to his reward at an early hour this morning.

John Schempf was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George F. Schempf and was born in Milwaukee March 22, 1844. When a child he removed to this section with his parents, where they engaged in farming in the town of Emmet. After leaving school he entered the employ of Gorham P. Jones as an apprentice clerk, completing his apprenticeship with his uncle, George S. Schempf, and in 1867 when 23 years of age, he embarked in mercantile pursuits with his father, the late George F. Schempf, establishing a general merchandise business which was destined later to become one of he largest and best known business concerns in the state with a patronage extending over the greater part of southeastern Wisconsin. In 1875 Mr. Schempf formed a partnership with his uncle, George S. Schempf, and brother, the late Leonard Schempf, under the firm name of George S. Schempf & Co., which continued until the retirement of George Schempf, the business being conducted by the brothers under the name of Schempf Bros. Co., of which Mr. Schempf was president at the time of his death.

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 May 8, 1870, Mr. Schempf was united in wedlock with Bertha L. Speer of this city, and in 1895 celebrated his silver wedding and on May 8 of the present year observed the fiftieth anniversary of his marriage.

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.”

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