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Woodard & Stone
109-115 N. Water
1837
James Rogan’s first work was the construction of a double
log house on the site later occupied by
Woodard & Stone’s bakery.
1864
08 25 American
Bakery
Messrs. Woodward have recently started
a first class American Bakery on the west side of the river, where they are
carrying on a flourishing and increasing business. They make all kinds of bread cakes, crackers
and pies, and the articles they furnish their customers are of the very best
quality. They have recently commenced
making a fine variety of Boston crackers, which are fully equal to any that can
be found in any market. We commend this
establishment to the favor of our citizens and hope it will be patronized to an
extent that will render it permanent and successful. WD
1870
10 05 NEW
QUARTERS – Messrs Woodard Bro. & Stone have this week removed their
retail stock into the fine store building one
door east of First National Bank, lately occupied by M. Schurer, as a dry
goods store. The store has been fitted
up in a manner suitable to the demands of their extensive retail trade in
fruits, confectionery, oysters &c.
In the rear of the retail department is a well arranged restaurant,
where meals of the daintiest quality can be served up on the shortest
notice. The business of this firm is
steadily on the increase, and their extensive Bakery is under full headway all
the time. Mr. Stone is at present on his
way to New York, where he intends purchasing 500 barrels of the best New York
apples for winter use, a fact those of our citizens wishing for the winter
supply will bear in mind.
The
firm of Woodard Bro. & Stone is second to none in Wisconsin for enterprise
and integrity, and they have already extended their trade into many portions of
Iowa and Minnesota. We are glad to learn
of their continued prosperity, for we know them to be gentleman well deserving
of the increasing patronage they are receiving. WR
1873 Confectionary
09 04 Connected with their extensive bakery, Woodard &
Stone carry on a large confectionary manufactory in this city. They make all kinds of candy, and are particularly
about the quality and purity of the articles they offer for sale. This is the reason why their goods enjoy such
a wide and general preference throughout the state. Their candies are all choice and excellent,
and they permit no other kind to leave their establishment, which is now known
far and wide as a reliable institution.
Adulterations in this business is so common that most people look on all
confectionery with doubt, but whatever bears the name of Woodard & Stone
may be taken as genuine and just what it pretends to be.
09 04 An
Entire Mistake
Same The Chicago
Times of the 1st inst., contains a long communication, from a special
correspondent, about the affairs of Watertown.
Among other representations, equally unreliable, is the following:
“There is at Watertown a steam bakery that
manufactures crackers for almost the entire state, using 400 barrels of flour
per day. The proprietors, some time ago,
found fault with the unconscionable rates that they were charged for
transporting their products to Green Bay; but the railroad would make no
reduction. Now, Watertown is on the
direct line from Chicago to Green Bay, and is 125 miles from the former
city. Nevertheless, the proprietors of
the bakery found that they could actually send their goods to Chicago, and have
them sent from there through Watertown to Green Bay, and thus effect a saving
of five cents per hundred. This they
began to do, when the railroad company took fright and came to some sort of
terms. Observe the injustice that is
exposed in the above statement, the charges of the railroad company for
transporting goods 375 miles were actually less than the charges for
transporting the same goods 125 miles.
But such facts as these are not new in connection with the management of
the Northwestern road.”
The firm here alluded to is Woodard &
Stone. The only member here is Mr. Jesse Stone.
He requests us to say that he never authorized or countenanced any such
statement as the above. On the other
hand, his firm have always been satisfied with the rates of transportation to
Green Bay over the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, and have no occasion
for complaint; but north of this point, terms are not quite so favorable. If it were worth while, we could easily point
out other mistakes in this “exposition,” fully as ridiculous and absurd, but
the game won’t pay for the powder. WD
1875
c.1875
AERIAL
VIEW
1876
01 26 Messrs. Woodard &
Stone, proprietors of the Steam Bakery and Candy Manufactury on the West side,
used in their business last year one hundred tons of sugar. This is a sweet
item about Woodard & Stone, but it is true nevertheless and shows the
extensive trade that firm is doing. WD
1877
Manufacturers & Wholesale
Dealers in all kinds of crackers, confectionery, fruits, nuts, cigars,
cheese, oysters, sardines, etc.
A number of firemen of the Phoenix Co.
were employees of Woodard & Stone in ‘77
[WG, 02 26 1909]
1885
Jacob Kopp foreman in the candy dept of
Woodard-Stone factory.
05 14 We, the S. C.'s of Woodard
& Stone's candy department, hereby challenge the Hard Tacks of the cracker
department, to play a game of baseball on the Dennis grounds Saturday
afternoon, May 15, 1886.
Signed "S C.s'
[Sure Cures]
We accept the above,
and will play you on the above date.
HARD TACKS. Turn out everybody
and see the game. WG
05 21 The game of
baseball played on the Dennis’ grounds last Saturday afternoon between the
Sure Cures and Hard Tacks of Woodard & Stone's bakery, resulted in favor of
the formed the score standing 32 to 72 at the close of the 7th inning. Time of game, 14 hours, umpire, W. C.
Stone. Had the boys played nine innings
we presume they would still be batting.
A better record would
undoubtedly have been made were the weather more favorable, it having rained
nearly all the time the game was in progress.
The boys marched from their headquarters to the grounds in fine style,
being headed by their own band, consisting of a fife, base and snare drum. George Hill did the heavy scoring for the
Hard Tacks, running bases with velocity of a cannon ball, while W. E. Cowen of
the Sure Cures, made himself remarkable for the way his smile drove the ball
heavenward every time it came within smiling distance of him. Although the game was not one of
professionals, it was full interesting incidents. In connection herewith the participants in
the game wish to extend their thanks to the ladies who so kindly furnished them
button-hole bouquets for the occasion; also to the members of the band. WG
05 04 CRACKERMEN vs. CANDY-MAKERS
Woodard
& Stone's crackermen and candy-makers indulged in a game of baseball
Saturday afternoon on the Northwestern college grounds. At the end of the exciting contest the score
stood; Candy-makers. 36; Crackermen, 33.
07 20 John Weissert,
1847–1888; employees in funeral procession for; bookkeeper for nearly 20
years WG
11 07 DIPPING
CHOCOLATE CREAMS
Woodard & Stone have placed in their factory an
improved machine, from a New York City establishment, for dipping chocolate
creams. The contrivance does the work
faster and better than it can be done by hand.
WR
1898
08 24 NEW MISEGADES WAGON BOX
The new wagon box has just been completed for the
Woodard & Stone company by Fred Misegades, which for high-grade workmanship and
excellence of material is hard to beat.
Mr. Misegades is a veteran in this line of work and his latest
production speaks well of his ability.
The cost of the box for labor and material reaches nearly S100. WR
1899
10 17 ANOTHER STORY ADDED TO FACTORY
Owing to the demands made by the largely increasing
trade, the Woodard-Stone cracker and candy factory on North Water Street will
shortly be substantially enlarged by the addition of another story. The factory at present is cramped for room,
especially in the candy department, where business is particularly brisk. The contemplated improvement will provide the
necessary facilities for materially increasing the output of the plant and
employment will be given to a large number of additional hands. WR
c.1900
-- -- EMPLOYEES GROUP PHOTO
Labeling on box in center: “Woodard & Stone, Snow Flake Sodas,
Watertown” [Soda Crackers, Saltines]
1901
07 05 One of
the most terrible accidents that has ever occurred here took place at 2 o’clock
last Saturday afternoon at the Woodard-Stone factory of the National Biscuit
Co., when Jos. Erb was terribly mangled by being crushed between the freight
elevator in the plant, and the second floor.
His cries for help brought his fellow-workmen to the scene and he was
removed to the rear of the factory and medical aid summoned. Drs. Moulding and Shinnick responded
promptly, but found his condition so serious that nothing could be done for
him. He was terribly mangled about the
abdomen, his chest was crushed, and cuts were inflicted on his face and other
portions of the body. He was made as
comfortable as possible on the arrival of the doctors, and was conveyed to his
home, at 116 Lynn Street, where he and his sister resided. He died about an hour after being taken
home. WG
07 27 Unless
present indications and plans now proposed miscarry, the Woodard-Stone factory
in this city will be improved and considerably enlarged. At present the plant is rushed with orders
which force working each evening until 10: 30 o’clock. It is the intention to add another story to
the building and install new machinery throughout the factory. The engine now in use is not powerful enough
to drive the plant so new machinery and a new engine of greater capacity will
be put in. The upper floor will be used
exclusively for packing rooms, being served from the ovens by a lift which will
deposit the goods near the packers as it passes along. The improvements will cost in the
neighborhood of $10,000 and is evidence of the permanent maintenance of this
factory in this city. WR
1902
03 27 FACTORY
IS A CREDIT TO THE CITY
Probably but few people are aware of the magnitude
of one of our manufacturing establishments, and aside from those who are
employed there, the general public has but little conception of the amount of
business done yearly. We refer to the
Woodard & Stone factory in North Water Street, which has recently been
equipped with new machinery and considerably enlarged. Other improvements on a large scale are
contemplated and if carried out Watertown will possess one of the largest
cracker, cake and candy manufactories in the United States. That it is no infant at present was
thoroughly demonstrated yesterday when a Times
reporter accompanied a delegation of visiting businessmen through the large
establishment. Started many years ago in
a small way it has kept steadily growing until today it is one of the foremost
manufacturing plants of this kind in Wisconsin and through the tireless energy
of the men who handle its business affairs is due the credit for its successful
career. . . . The different departments
are kept clean and tidy and those employed about the place are in keeping with
the surroundings. . . . It can
truthfully be said that the Woodard-Stone factory is a credit to the city and
to the brains which made it what it is today.
WG
c.1905
1908
03 25 Automobile factory proposed for this
site.
07 17 CONTRACTS FOR REMODELING for shoe
company
Contracts for remodeling the old Woodard-Stone
building in North Water street, which will be occupied by the M. D. Wells shoe
company about September 1, were let by the officials of the Watertown Realty
company last evening. The contract for the mason work was let to August Hoefs; H. Willenbockel is given
the carpenter work and the tinning is let to W. G. Pritzlaff. Contracts for plumbing and heating will be
let July 17. It is said that the cost of
the proposed improvement will be in the neighborhood of $5000, which with the
cost of the building will make a total of about $10,000. When in operation the factory will not only
increase the value of property in that vicinity but will be worth considerably
more than the price expended. The
officers of the advancement association who made the deal are worthy of the
thanks of the public for their hard and untiring efforts to advance the
industrial growth of the city.
07 31 Death of Mrs.
Fred Ryder. Mr. Ryder was employed
for years as bookkeeper for the Woodard-Stone.
WG
08 14 Otto Biefeld & Co. secured contract for
installing the steam heating apparatus for the M.
D. Wells Shoe Co., who will occupy the old Woodard Stone factory WG
1909
07 23 The old
Woodard & Stone Co building in North Water St, which was fitted up for
rental for the M. D. Wells Shoe Company is owned by the company. A dividend of five per cent was declared on
the stock subscribed for the building.
WG
1911 Woodard & Stone building
later occupied by M D Wells
Shoe Co and then by Wolfram Shoe Co.
01 06 William
E. Cowen of Lead City, South Dakota, visited in the city and was given a hearty
greeting here by all his old friends. He
is at present engaged in the confectionery and restaurant business and also
jobs in candy. Years ago he was employed
in the candy department of the Woodard-Stone Co., and when that company sold
out Mr. Cowen located in Nebraska and from there went to Lead City. He is prospering in the latter place and all
his old friends are glad of it. His son
Leo is a student in the mechanical department at the Wisconsin State University
at Madison and he made the trip this way to visit him. WG
1913
10 18 JAKE KOPP, former foreman
Jake Kopp of Omaha, Neb., was a visitor in the city
on Tuesday. He had been in Chicago on
business and could not resist the temptation to run up and see Watertown, his
first visit here in many years. He left
here in 1884 for Omaha, for several years previous to that time having been foreman
in Woodard & Stone candy factory. All
his old friends here gave him a hearty greeting.
1916 Chas. Andrews (1849-1916), employed 20
years ago by Woodard Stone Co. as a baker
1963
05 07 The
North Water Street building, formerly owned by the Brandt Automatic Cashier
Co., has been sold to Harvey Properties, Inc., according to a deed filed in the
office of the register of deeds at Jefferson.
The price is listed at $20,000.
The building was originally the home of the Woodard and Stone Bakeries,
makers of crackers and confections which operated there for many years. Later the business was sold to the National
Biscuit Co. which, after some years, discontinued the plant. Still later it housed the Wolfram Shoe factory and office. The last owner to utilize it as a plant was
the Brandt Automatic Cashier Co. which
used it for part of its manufacturing operations until it completed its new
South Twelfth Street plant.
1978
04 21 OLD
WOODARD & STONE FACTORY STANDS BUT A FEW FEET HIGH
Progress has taken its toll on another historic
building. It was said to be a well built
structure but the site of 109-115 North Water Street is soon to become the
drive-in banking quarters for the Wisconsin National Bank. Bank President Arthur Turke said the decision
was a difficult one to make. Relocation
of the bank's drive-in services was necessary to make it safer and more usable
to bank customers. Also, the Woodard
& Stone building, purchased by the bank in 1969, was difficult to use.
The Woodard & Stone building had a number of
uses and owners in its history.
Constructed in the late 1800s, the building was first a steam cracker
factory. Marshall J. and George S.
Woodard launched a bakery on North Water Street in 1865 [1864?] under the name
of the Woodard Brothers Bakery. After two
years in business they began the manufacture of crackers, using a hand
machine. They later added steam to
increase output.
Cross-References:
Marshall
Woodard, partner
Julietta (Gritzner) Block, early employee
William
Black (1824-1901), early employee
Henry C. Enos, salesman
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin