This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website
Wilkowski
Bros
113 N First,
Frederick
C. Wilkowski
1862
- 1923
Carl
L. Wilkowski
1878
- 1948
Watertown Daily Times, 12 01 1923
Frederick C.
Wilkowski, for many years a well known figure in this community and one of
Watertown's best known citizens, died at his home, 822 Main Street, this
morning at 9 o'clock.
Mr. Wilkowski had
been in ill health for the past year suffering from septic bronchitis but his
death was due to a sudden heart attack which he suffered while sitting in a
chair at his home shortly after he had partaken of his breakfast.
Mr. Wilkowski
passed away possessed of his complete mental faculties and only a short time
before the end he had been shaved by a barber and had finished breakfast.
Mr. Wilkowski was
born in Bromberg, province of Posen, on
In 1876, on May 12,
he was married to Minnie Schroeder of this city who with four children survive.
The children are Mrs. Rose Torstensson of Landskorna, Sweden, Carl Wilkowski,
this city, Mrs. Emma Haes, Metropolis, Ill., and Mrs. Gertrude Renk, Waterloo,
Iowa. Besides, one sister, Otillie Buending of this city and one brother,
William Wilkowski, San Diego, Cal., survive, as do six grandchildren and Mr.
Wilkowski's stepfather, Fred Kuehl.
Mr. Wilkowski rose
to a successful business career by his own efforts, and during his long
business career had helped materially in the industrial growth of
Watertown. A man of strict probity, fine
character and withal possessed of a genial disposition, he made many friends,
socially and among his business associates.
By strict attention to business affairs he built up a large trade
throughout this section of the country, a tribute to the excellence and honesty
of the products of his factory.
Coming to
Watertown when city was but little more than a village, he spent the greater
share of his life here and was probably one of the best known and most
respected of its citizens. The firm of Wilkowski Bros was established in 1882
by Frederick and William Wilkowski. Ten
years later he succeeded to entire control and personally superintended the
operations of the plant. Two years ago
he retired from active business and his son, Carl Wilkowski, succeeded him as
head of the firm.
When ten years of
age Mr. Wilkowski began an apprenticeship in a cigar factory and learned the
details of the business thoroughly, being considered one of the best judges of
tobacco in this section of the country.
Mr. Wilkowski was
an ardent student of nature and was well posted on plant life of which he made
a study for many years. He was a man
well versed on current topics and a student who had the faculty of retaining
the knowledge thus obtained.
He was a man
greatly devoted to his home and family.
Possessed of a kindly nature he spread geniality wherever he went and
his charities were many but never ostentatious. His nature was of the kind that
make and keep friends and the good will of the man was always apparent whether
in business dealings or in his social life.
Mr. Wilkowski
never aspired to a public or political life although he was well capable to
enter such fields and he was often urged to do so. He was a member of the Plattdeutscher Verein.
The funeral will
take place Tuesday afternoon from the home at
_____________________________________________________________________
Carl
L. Wilkowski
1878
- 1948
10 04 1948
Carl L. Wilkowski,
former Watertown business man and well known in the community, died at St.
Mary's hospital Saturday at
He was born in
Watertown, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred C. Wilkowski and was for many
years associated as a salesman with the firm of Wilkowski Bros. cigar factory
here. In 1917 he took over the business
as his own and operated it until it was closed. For the past several years he
was employed by the G. B. Lewis Co. here.
Mr. Wilkowski was
a life long resident of Watertown.
The firm Wilkowski
Bros. was one of the most widely known cigar manufacturing concerns in this
territory. It was established in 1882 by two brothers, Frederick and William
Wilkowski and ten years later Fred G. Wilkowski succeeded to entire control of
the business. In 1917 his son, Carl L., took it over. The business was located
in the building at
Surviving Mr.
Wilkowski are his wife, the former Emma Nowack, and one daughter, Miss Ruth
Wilkowski, this city, a member of the Watertown Free
Public library staff.
There are also
three sisters, Mrs. Hans Torstensson, Milwaukee, Mrs. Joseph Hayes, Toulon,
Ill., and Mrs. George Jones, Conrad, Ia.
The funeral will
take place Tuesday afternoon at
Interment will be
in the family lot in Oak
Hill Cemetery.
Cross reference:
John C. Gruel was a salesman for
Wilkowski Bros. cigar manufacturers for several years.
