This file part of www.watertownhistory.org website
Trachte
& Trayser
Trachte
Organ
William F. Trachte was born in 1859
and became a very successful Watertown businessman. He was in partnership with G. A. Trayser at one time (Trachte
& Trayser) and at another he was the sole proprietor
of a piano, organ, sewing machine and bicycle store on
He and his wife, Emma, were quite musically inclined and both were proficient
playing the organ and the piano.
When an organ was sold, a gilded label with the
"Trachte" name was affixed to it before it left the shop. William and
Emma wanted to be sure everyone knew where the musical instrument was
purchased.
Emma was also proud to tell buyers
that the purchase of an organ also included 10 free lessons. Emma would have the
buyer come to their home on
That
organ was manufactured by the Raymond Organ and Piano Company of Cleveland,
Ohio, and over the years the organ was played by three generations of the
Trachte family.
There were several different ideas
as to where the store was located in downtown Watertown [WHS 005 218 ], [WHS
005 219 ], [WHS 005 220].
Two differing
stores and locations
(left)
I have
created the following timeline that establishes its location
over time and it is gleaned from the Watertown Gazette.
06 15 1888 ad and article
“Trachte & Trayser, two of Watertown’s most enterprising
young business men, have a new advertisement this week of special interest to
the ladies. They are offering bargains
in gloves, embroideries, parasols, etc.”
The June 15 ad is “Trachta & Trayser - Have an Immense
Line of PARASOLS EMBROIDERED DRESS PATTERNS LACE EMBROIDERY FLOUNCING of every
description, LACE MITS GLOVES AND HOSIERY, which they are selling at very low
prices. Call and see what bargains they
have to offer.”
(“Trachta” is indeed used in the ad, not Trachte. No address given).
I find no ad for T&T before this date so assume that the
placement of the new ad is close to the time of the founding of the new
business partnership (as listed in the 1887-88 city directory).
09 14 1888 ad (“Trachta” again, instead of Trachte; location
noted)
“GREAT REDUCTION IN PRICES
On Parasols, Lawns and Summer Goods at Trachta and Trayser’s
Cor. Main and 3d Sts.
Now is the time for the ladies to secure bargains in this
line of goods. We quote no prices, but
guarantee to suit you in this respect.
Come and see us.
Trachta & Trayser.”
03 20 1891 article, very short
“Trachte and Trayser have dissolved partnership, Mr. Trachte
continuing at the old stand.”
After the dissolution of T&T, they became competitors in
dress goods (dry goods) and were located on the same block. Every week they both had ads in the Gazette, normally at the very top of the
same page, with the Trachte ad on the left side and the Trayser ad (“I lead
while others follow”) on the right.
11 18 1892 ads, example, addresses only
Wm. F. Trachte
G. A. Trayser
04 06 1894 article, Trayser dry goods closes
“G. A. Trayser, for the past nine years engaged in business here,
left for Kaukauna, Wis., on Wednesday, where he will conduct a general store,
making a specialty of provisions. Mr.
Trayser is a straightforward business man, and his departure from here is much
regretted by his many friends and all hope himself and his wife will be
prosperous and happy in their new home.”
05 07 1895 ad, Trachte dry goods line discontinued at 216
Main
“Selling Out.
Selling Out.
STOCK - $18,000 - STOCK
I intend to sell out my entire stock of Dry Goods, Clothing,
Gent’s Furnishing Goods, Hats, and Caps - complete stock in good shape, all new
clean, seasonable and saleable goods - everything will be sold, and a better
chance to buy will never CHANCE to come your way again. This is not special sale, no blind
advertisement, but a real
- Slaughter
Closing Out Sale -
. . . Wm. Trachte,
08 23 1895 ad
“Closing Out Prices TAKE ANOTHER TUMBLE ..... Wm. Trachte”
08 30 1895 ad, Trachte piano and organ line offered at 216
Main
“WM. TRACHTE.
Pianos and Organs
I have added to my stock a large and well selected line of
PIANOS and ORGANS, such as never was exhibited in Wotertown (sic) before. A cordial invitation is extended to each and
everyone to visit my store and examine my goods. Insist upon seeing the ‘Malcolm Love Piano’
with the Phelp’s Harmony attachment . . .
Wm. Trachte, 216 Main Street”
02 28 1896, ad
Sometime after the 05 07 1895 sale of all dry goods they
must have been offered again as they were sold out again when the business had
to vacate the 216 Main store:
“AUCTION!
AT WM. TRACHTE’S STORE
Dry Goods, Groceries, Underwear
Blankets, Ribbons, Notions, Corset, etc . . .
Having decided to retire from the Dry Goods business, I
shall sell my entire stock of Dry Goods and Groceries at Auction to the highest
bidder . . . Do not forget that every
dollar’s worth of goods must be sold by
The 1897 city directory lists Wm. Trachte, re-established at
108 Main, as seller of pianos, sewing machines and bicycles. This has to be the location of the photo
submitted by Bill Trachte. Isn’t this,
in part, where Keck’s is located today?
In the same 1897 city directory Keck’s is listed at 110-112 Main.
The 1899-1900 city directory lists 108 Main, pianos and
organs.
The above Kreitzman image is the earlier of the two.
Emanuel G. Wetzel (1871 - 1934) was
affiliated with the Trachte firm, being in charge of its music department. Born in Wilton, WI, he previously attended Northwestern
College in Watertown and for a time was a parochial school teacher. He later moved to Jefferson and was in charge
of the music department of the C. F. Bullwinkel Company of that city [Jefferson
Banner, 08 17 1934].
I’ve reviewed the set of Kreitzman
images and note that in #045 of the set a number of store fronts can be
seen in the background of a parade event on Main. A store front perfectly matching the
“unknown” one submitted by Bill Trachte can be seen. It is to the east of a building clearly identified
as “Watertown Republican” and according to the 1898-99 city directory the
Republican was located at 106 Main.
In Kreitzman image #074 of the set a number of store fronts
can be seen less distinctly in the background of a different parade event on
Main. But it can be made out that the
building that would be 108 has a sign hanging out over the walk that say “Music
Store,” and it is the very same sign as shown in the above right-side
image. This store is adjacent to another
with the lettering “Kecks.” The 1898-99
city directory lists Kecks at
Trachte & Trayser dry goods store was located at the corner of Third and Main
(216 Main). After the dissolution of
T&T, the Trachte dry goods and music store remained at this location
until relocated as the Trachte Music Store at 108 Main. The Trayser dry goods store opened at
208 Main.
1909 City Dir listing
Trachte, William, produce 1909,
216 S. Third
/ Ken Riedl
