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Seager’s Barber Shop

John C. Seager

1881 Kiessling, Elmer C, Watertown Remembered, 1976.

The north side of the [Main St] bridge was then lined with business places resting on piles driven into the bed of the river. In 1881 huge cakes of ice roaring down in high water ripped out the pilings of these structures and a part of the bridge. The building on the south side, a barbershop operated by John Seager, was spared. Mr. Seager installed three tin bathtubs - the first in Watertown - in his shop and ran this ad:

The Bridge

in the

Center of Main Street Bridge

5 baths for $1

He did a brisk business, Northwestern students being among his best customers, until another ice jam in April, 1904, swept away his building. All of the equipment was salvaged. John Seager, and his son Charles after him, continued to operate a shop for years at 5 Main Street. It is now the Downtown Barber Shop.

1883 First Seager Barber Shop opened in the Tremont House, according to 1954 ad [This 1883 date doesn’t fit in with other dates].

1954 ad has first Seager shop in Tremont

1896

04 29 "The Bridge" barber shop has been newly furnished and renovated; and I cordially invite all in quest of good workmanship and prompt service to give me a call. The bath rooms are also in excellent condition now, having been thoroughly cleaned and furnished with entire new outfits. Try the baths for a more comfortable feeling during the warm months; 25 cents.

JOHN C. SEAGER, Prop. WR

1904

05 26

John C. Seager's modern barbershop and bathrooms, are the finest in this part of the state, and must be seen to be appreciated. Mr. Seager invites many friends and patrons to call at his place of business, No. 108 Main Street, where he will be pleased to show them his new tonsorial parlors. WDT

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Mayor Charles Mulberger

Mayor Charles Mulberger was without question Watertown’s most flamboyant mayor, a very popular executive. He had a law degree but never practiced law. He would come down to the business section every morning around 10 o’clock, go to the old Seager Barber Shop for his daily shave and a trim, then walk over to a floral shop and buy a fresh carnation which he wore each day in his bottonhole, then make the rounds of downtown business places, including the old Deutsches Dorf which was then the gathering place for many Watertown business men and executives. It was by far the finest saloon Watertown ever had and was located at the corner of Main and North Third Street, now the site of the Wisconsin Gas-Electric building.

1909

01 29 O. F. Goeslin, the Canadian barber employed at Seager’s; catch as-catch-can wrestling match WG

04 23 O. F. Goeslin, the Canadian barber employed at Seager’s; breaks up robbery WG

1934 Seager & Brand Barbers,9 E Main, barber shop

1950 Seager & Brand Barbers, 5 E Main, barber shop

1957c Seager Barber Shop, 5 E Main, city assessor image

Seager Barber Shop

Charles Seager

1958

09 25 Leith Poole of 811 Garfield Street has taken over the operation of Seager's Barber Shop at No. 5 Main Street. He recently purchased the shop and its equipment from Charles Seager, who is retiring due to ill health. The building in which the shop is located is owned by Mr. Seager. In addition to Mr. Poole, other barbers in the shop are Richard Nelson and Donald Cowen. WDT

Cross-References:

1898, John Seager Barber Shop on Main St Bridge, Farmers Picnic Parade

1950s-70s, Seager Barber Shop 1957c, 5 E Main, city assessor image