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H. Grube & Company
302-304 E Main
1885
01 11 Mr. Grube opened business
1887
02 23 Grube & Achtenhagen
/ 302-304 East Main St.
Ad featuring Civil War Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler
1895
12 04 While
leading home H. Grube’s horse from a blacksmith shop Arthur Bickner,
the 11 year old son of N. Bickner, 305 Wisconsin
Street, had a narrow escape from serious injury. Near the corner of Third and Spring streets
the horse became frightened and unmanageable, kicking the boy in the side and
running away. Young Bickner
was stunned by the kick, but revived after a while and is now all right. WR
1897
07 10 The work of demolishing the brick work of
Herman Grube’s store front at
1898
11 16 We were quite surprised to read the
subjoined item, headed "Vote It All," in Thursday's Daily
Times. The Times pretends to stand for independence in exercising the elective
franchise and strongly advocates the "split" ballot. Therefore, we fail to comprehend why it
should allow itself to go on record otherwise in the following comment:
"It is
pleasing in these days of political degeneracy to find such an exhibition of
political loyalty as was shown last Tuesday by Herman G. Grube, Democratic
candidate for member of assembly. One of
his workers was soliciting a vote from one of the opposite party for Mr. Grube,
and the latter overhearing it said: 'No, if you can't vote the whole democratic
ticket, don't vote for me. I am for the
whole ticket and want to win or meet defeat with the rest.'
Very few
candidates for office nowadays conduct a campaign upon so high a
plane" WR
1899
04 05 GRUBE
ELECTED BY 448 MAJORITY
One of the
quietest city elections in the history of Watertown was that of yesterday. No pronounced issue of any importance was up
for the consideration of the voters, and therefore interest was lacking. Rather a light vote was cast, a total of the
heads of the ticket being only 1,340.
Herman G. Grube, the Democratic nominee for mayor, was elected by 448
majority over Gustav Buchheit his Republican
opponent. WR
05 09 MAYOR
GRUBE HANDLES THE RIBBONS LIKE A VETERAN
He
dispatches with rapidity, presides with sufficient dignity to command respect,
and has no hesitation in administering a deserved chastisement, and is not slow
in the perpetration of a dry joke. Two
Aldermen, colleagues, got into what promised to be a "family" quarrel. His Honor listened patiently for a while, and
finally called attention to his inaugural message, wherein he urged peace and
harmony in the council, and said he thought even the ward boundaries were
sufficiently large to contain two aldermen without endangering the peace of the
community. An audible smile ran around
the chamber and the incident was closed.
WR
05 09 MAYOR
GRUBE AND DAUGHTER IN HARVEST CARNIVAL PARADE
Flowered carriage in
the Harvest Carnival, held Sept., 1899.
Mayor Herman Grube and daughter Zayda, Jennie Kusel and Jennie Evans.
1900
11 16 20
lb. COON
A 20 lb.
coon was bagged by Mayor Grube while he was out hunting the fore part of the
week. It is one of the finest specimens
of coons ever seen here. Mr. Grube has
sent it to Milwaukee for mounting. WG
c.1900
INSIDE GRUBE STORE
< Uncertain
but possibly
1910
01 14 ENTERTAIN IN
HONOR OF 25TH YEAR IN BUSINESS [prior to being elected again]
WG
Tuesday
evening a large number of friends and business associates were entertained by
Ex-Mayor Herman Grube at his hospitable home in 5th Street in honor of his 25th
year in business in Watertown. His
amiable wife and courteous family ably seconded him in extending a happy
greeting to their guests and in making all feel that a wide-opened hospitality
was extended all present. Hearty
congratulations were extended by all present and Ex-Mayors William F. Voss and
H. Wertheimer made appropriate speeches to which Mr. Grube feelingly responded.
January 11,
1885, Mr. Grube opened business at his present stand [302-304 E. Main] and his general
merchandise store from that day to the present has been one of the most popular
in the state. He has enjoyed a most
excellent trade from the start, and his fair, honest dealing has made hosts of
friends for him all over Dodge and Jefferson counties. He is a native of the town of Emmet, where he
was born March 3, 1854, and has ever since resided in this vicinity. October 12, 1879, he was married to Aurelia
Schatz and to them were born one son and two daughters. Mr. Grube has represented his ward two terms
in the city council, he has been mayor two terms and represented this district
in the state legislature. He is a member
of the Watertown Advancement Association and at present he is favorably
mentioned in connection with the office of mayor for the coming two years. Watertown’s interests have always been
uppermost in his mind and our people hope he will live long and prosper among
them.
02 11 DEMOCRATIC
MEETING
A meeting of Democrats will be held at the
city hall this Thursday evening to discuss city politics. It is hoped a large number will be
present. This is a democratic city and
as the party contains many able men here, they should be placed in office. There are scores of good men who would honor
our city as mayor and among them, Ex-Mayor Grube, whom we feel confident can be
induced to accept the nomination. The Gazette would take pleasure in
supporting him heartily and if the proper democratic spirit is manifest at the
meeting Thursday evening, and we believe such will be the case, Mr. Grube will
be our next mayor. WG
02 18 HERMAN GRUBE
ENDORSED FOR MAYOR
Largely Attended
Mass-Meeting of Democrats at City Hall
AN ENTHUSIASTIC
GATHERING
Herman G. Grube
Democratic Club Formed.
Not since the late
Grover Cleveland was president of the United States has so large and
enthusiastic a gathering of democrats been held in this city, as that which was
assembled at the city hall last week Thursday evening to talk over city
politics and arrange for an old time united democratic campaign in this
city.
Many thought it was too
early to begin a city campaign, and others believed it was high time to get
busy, hence on Tuesday a call was issued by the city chairman for a mass
meeting for Thursday evening and though the time was short and there were many
social, fraternal and theatrical performances on that evening, over 125
representative democrats were on hand, and a more enthusiastic number never
came together in this city.
The meeting was called
to order at 8:15 o'clock by James W. Moore, chairman of the democratic city
committee, who was elected to preside at the meeting, and Assemblyman C. F. Viebahn was appointed secretary. The chair said it was a good omen to see so
many democrats present, and that it scented victory in the air for the
democrats not only at the spring but at the fall elections.
After stating that the
principal object of the meeting was to consider the matter of a candidate for
mayor, John Schatz, that prince of loyal democrats of the 1st ward, a man who
never changes his spots in politics, placed in nomination Ex-Mayor Herman G.
Grube for the consideration of the democrats of this city for mayor at the
coming spring election.
The chair stated that
the present mayor, Arthur Mulberger, had positively
declined to be a candidate for future honors in that line, and called on him to
make a few remarks. The mayor said he
believed in a change in office and said that if opportunity offered in the
future he would gladly respond to calls in civic matters, but at present he was
not so situated that he could devote further time to the office of mayor. He heartily seconded the nomination of Mr.
Grube, whom he highly complimented as a citizen and democrat, and spoke
eulogistically of Mr. Grube's former good record as chief magistrate of our
city.
Democrats, he said,
should get together and by organization and harmony win political battles of
great moment in the near future. They
would stick right with Mr. Grube as a standard bearer in the present municipal
campaign. John G. Conway was next to
heartily second Mr. Grube's nomination, and he followed with a neat little
speech on the tariff question, and stated that with harmony and organization he
believed the democrats could elect a congressman in this district this fall and
two years hence a president of the United States.
District Attorney R. W.
Lueck, Ex-Mayor John J. Brusenbach,
Alderman Chas. Lutovsky, Emil Tanck,
Frank S. Weber, John T. Ryan, H. R. Moldenhauer, Dr. C. R. Feld, Frank Kalina, and Ferd. A. Krueger also
delivered well-put neat little speeches.
At the close of the
speech-making, Mr. Grube was nominated by a rising vote and three rousing
cheers and a "tiger" were given him.
Calls for Mr. Grube came from all sections of the hall and after
thanking his fellow democrats present for the fine spirit of confidence shown
toward him, he said that when he left the mayor's office a few years ago that
he never expected to become a candidate again for any office, but that within a
few days past after being solicited by many of our citizens to become the
democratic candidate for mayor, he took the matter under consideration, and
after witnessing the hearty endorsement at the meeting, he could not well
refuse the honor so graciously tendered.
He said "I will accept—and
the fight, if fight there was to be, begins now for a victorious
democracy. I had hoped," he said,
"this honor would fall on another's shoulder, but all approached said 'let
George do it, so George will."'
The Herman G. Grube
democratic club was then organized as follows, and the meeting adjourned
subject to a call of the president:
President—James W.
Moore.
Vice President—C. R.
Feld.
Secretary—C. F. Viebahn.
Treasurer—Emil Tanck.
Executive
committee—John Schatz, John J. Brusenbach, D. Schwieger, Eugene H. Killian, Herman Zickert,
Frank Petro, John G. Conway, Charles Mulberger, Ferd. Schmutzler, John T. Ryan,
W. C. Radtke, R. M. Halm, C. A. Kading, William
Schimmel, Paul A. Schoechert, W. F. Voss, Herman E.
Krueger, August Kuehn, O. A. Vaughan, Theodore Nell, Frank Auer.
Finance committee—Ferd. A. Krueger, G. M. Gahlmann,
R. H. Schott, Frank S. Weber.
Press committee—James
W. Moore, J. P. Holland, Otto R. Krueger.
WG
02 25 FOR MAYOR H.
G. GRUBE
The democrats of
Watertown are rallying almost solidly to the support of Herman G. Grube for
mayor, and many republicans are also sounding his praises, for all realize that
he is one of Watertown's best-qualified citizens for that office.
He is conservative, yet
progressive and energetic in all things pertaining to the prosperity and
welfare of our city, not only in a business way, but morally as well. He is fair and considerate of all conflicting
interests and is known as a man who gives all a "square deal" without
fear or favor. He is one of Watertown's most successful and
enterprising businessmen, and has been
identified with everything here that tends to advance Watertown's interest,
being a member of the Watertown Advancement Association, an officer of the
Inter-County Fair Association and an officer of the Watertown Homecoming
Club.
He has served Watertown
faithfully, honorably and creditably in the past as mayor, alderman and as a member
of the state legislature, and as he says himself he intended keeping out of
politics in the future, but a short time since his old democratic patriotism
was stirred when he heard some of his republican friends were saying
"there are no longer any democrats in Watertown—they can't even find one
to become a candidate for mayor."
This had been so
persistently repeated not only in Watertown but in neighboring cities, that he
resolved he would do what he could to get a candidate, if he had to enter the
arena himself. Mr. Grube tried to
persuade others to become a candidate, but all said he was the man who could
lead the democratic hosts to victory.
Come, brother democrats, let's buckle on our armor and give Mr. Grube an
old-time democratic majority for mayor.
From now on we hope to see every democrat in private life, every
democratic office-holder in the city, and every democratic newspaper sounding
his praises.
All the other
democrats, candidates for the various city and ward offices, are good, reliable
citizens, and our people will make no mistake in electing them to office. WG
The City
Election
1910
04 08 Election day in Watertown
was one of the quietest ever held here, only about one-half the voters coming
out to vote. Herman G. Grube (democrat)
was elected mayor without opposition, receiving 1420 votes. Emil Tanck, democrat, was elected treasurer over John Brusenbach, democrat, by 139 majority. Herman Krueger, democrat, was elected
assessor by 17 plurality over David Schweiger, democrat, and John Thauer, republican.
In the Second ward Chas. Lutovsky, democrat,
defeated R. H. Radtke, democrat, for alderman, by 97 majority and Albert Frattinger, republican, defeated Herman Zickert,
democrat, by 50 majority. In the Third
ward, N. Murphy, democrat, defeated Wm. Lehmann, republican, by 40
majority. In the Sixth ward, Chas A.
Kohn, republican, defeated Fred A. Krueger, democrat by 64 votes . . . WG
04 22 MEETING OF NEW COUNCIL WG
The newly-elected mayor
and city council met for the first time last Tuesday evening in the council
chamber at the city hall. Mayor H. G.
Grube called the meeting to order and Ex-Mayor Arthur Mulberger
presented the new mayor to the city council.
Ex Mayor Mulberger
and Wm. F. Voss occupied seats beside Mayor Grube. The council chamber was beautifully decorated
with potted plants, palms and the national colors. The council was organized by electing John Kehr president.
The following city officers were appointed by the
mayor and council:
President of
Council: John L. Kehr
City Attorney: C. A. Kading
City Engineer: Arnold Kraeft
Chief of Police: H. C. Block
Health
Commissioner: C. R. Feld
Street
Commissioner: Gustav Glaser
Engineer Fire Engine: Robert Kerstell
Inspectors Hay and
Fuel: Fred Ohm, Otto Kohlhoff
Policemen:
Lucius Bruegger, Charles Pieritz,
Gerhardt Butzler, Charles Kerr
Special Policemen: Carl Beduhn, Bert
W. Smith
Janitor City Hall:
Emil Luther
Member Water
Commission: Dr. F. C. Werner
Member of Board of
Public Works: John T. Ryan
The mayor's message,
which will appear in our next issue, was well received by the council and all
citizens present. In it he makes some
fine recommendations for the government of the city during the next year.
The following standing
committees were appointed by the mayor:
Judiciary—John T. Ryan,
H. Tetzlaff, G. J. Russell
Finance—John Kehr, R. M. Hahn, Charles Lutovsky
Streets and Bridges—A.
H. Hartwig, H. Tetzlaff, Charles Huenefeld
Sewerage—Charles Lutovsky, F. Kalina, Charles Kohn
Public Buildings—H. Tetzlaff, F. C. Werner, J. P. Humphrey
Fire Department—William Schimmel, John Kehr, Charles Kohn
Grievance—Charles Huenefeld, J. P. Humphrey, George Breakenridge
Licenses—R. M. Hahn,
John Kehr, A. H. Hartwig
Street Lighting—F. C.
Werner, G. J. Russell, R. M. Hahn
Water Works—J. P. Humphrey, John T. Ryan,
William Schimmel
Claims—G. J. Russell,
George Breakenridge, Charles Kohn
Hospital and Health—F.
C. Werner, A. H. Hartwig, Charles Huenefeld
Library—F.
Kalina, Charles Lutovsky,
John T. Ryan
04 22 WATERTOWN CHANGES MAYOR WG
On Tuesday night last
Mayor Arthur Mulberger surrendered the head of the
city government to his successor Herman G. Grube. In retiring from office, Mr. Mulberger carries with him the good wishes of all our
people, no matter where he may be located or in what business he may be
engaged. We hear it said he may decide
to locate in Chicago. He has served our
city faithfully and well four years in the office of mayor, and though a young
man, he has handled the many perplexing questions that came before him wisely
and well—true probably not to the wishes of all citizens, for that is an
impossibility. Always conservative, yet
progressive, he guided the government of our city in a manner that would do
credit to older and more experienced heads, and that too in the face of many
obstacles. His successor has served our
city faithfully and well in the office before, and all feel that he will guide
the ship of state safely on to the end of his administration. He is a safe, conservative, progressive man,
and we believe the citizens of Watertown made an excellent selection when they
elected him their chief executive. The Gazette will do all in its power to help
make his administration a successful one.
Mayor
Grube's Message
04 29 In compliance with a precedent
long since established by city’s chief executives, I shall briefly outline and
submit my communication to you embodying in it such recommendations and
suggestions as to me seem proper at this time.
An administration that is managed loosely cannot be financially
successful; it should be our aim to conduct the affairs of the city in the
future so as to continue the confidence of the outside world in the capability
of Watertown to furnish adequate security to all investors who may desire to
come here and invest their money. The
treasurer's report shows that Watertown is today in a position which reflects
credit upon its citizens and which should assure continued confidence.
Harmony and good
feeling should at all times prevail; this will accomplish the best
results. The confidence placed in us
should not be misused and all measures affecting the interests of the public
should be carefully considered and disposed of in a manner so as to best
promote the welfare of all our citizens.
Our aim should be to transact all public matters in a business-like way,
not for the benefit of any clique, faction or individual interest, but for the
welfare of the whole city. It should be
our aim to reduce expenses, wherever possible, and I believe economies can be
introduced that will save the taxpayers much money and which will not interfere
with the business of the city's government.
Financial Statement
Statement showing
balance on hand in the following accounts April 11, 1910, as reported by the
city clerk . . .
The reason the
waterworks fund is overdrawn is because the dues from December 1, 1909, to
March 1, 1910, have as yet not been collected.
When this is paid the waterworks fund will show a balance of about
$2225.00 instead of an overdraft of $355.41 . . .
Street Improvements
After West Main from
Montgomery Street to the North Western railroad tracks is paved, I would
suggest that we should first reduce the amount of indebtedness before more
bonds are issued for street improvements so as not to make taxation excessive
and burdensome. Improving the roads
leading out to the city limits should be paid out of the street improvement
fund without issuing more bonds and making taxation more burdensome.
The work of our fire
department has been up to its usual splendid standard and its record thus far
is one in which our citizens can well take pride. The apparatus of the department is in good
repair, and the condition, as a whole, is quite satisfactory.
Health Commissioner
For the year beginning
April 1, 1909, and ending March 31, 1910, there were born in this city 145
children. The number of deaths during
the same period were 98. Most of these were
young children and old people. The
sanitary condition of our city is most gratifying. Of contagious diseases we have had one case
of typhoid fever, 4 cases of diphtheria and only two of scarlet fever, all of
which ran a mild course. The orders of
the health commissioner were faithfully obeyed in all instances and very few
complaints of nuisances were received by the health department. This makes a record which we may well be
proud of.
The city waterworks
plant is in good condition and covers about eighteen miles of mains. The complaint that water is being used without
the city receiving payment therefore is certainly groundless now. Whatever may have been the facts in former
years when the great majority of water takers were on a "flat rate,"
the city is now on a meter basis entirely and every water taker pays for what
he uses, and the wasting of water is thereby stopped; and any party who wastes
water must pay for it himself. I find
that since the city owns the waterworks, the rates have been reduced thirty per
cent from those charged by the private company.
The following rates are
charged . . .
I recommend that
complete accurate maps and records be installed and kept in connection with the
operation of the system as to the location of all water connections, mains,
etc.
In conclusion allow me
to again urge and ask for harmony, good feeling and respectful treatment of
every question, and an effort to perform official duties with due
deliberation. Full and proper
consideration should be given to all important questions, and no hasty
legislations should be transacted. By so
doing we may be sure that our deliberations will produce results beneficial to
all our citizens.
Dated April 19th, 1910.
H. G. Grube,
Mayor of Watertown,
Wisconsin.
Mayor Grube announced
the following appointments . . . WG
1911
01 20 Retires from Business
Mayor Herman Grube, who
has been for many years past engaged in the general mercantile business in Watertown
and was one of our city’s most successful business men, has retired from the
business, and he is succeeded by his son Percy Grube and Fred Greinert, who has been employed in the Grube store for over
14 years. The new firm will be known as
the Grube-Greinert Mercantile Co. Their many friends wish them success. WG
04 04 Mayor Grube Lost His Own Ward
The result of the
municipal election in this city on Tuesday speaks in unmistakable terms that
our people are in hearty accord with The
Gazette and Leader in their long fight against indecency in our city and
against other abuses that were going on here.
This is especially noticeable when the vote is analyzed and shows that
at least 75 per cent of the business men here sustained these two papers' contentions. There is strong evidence of this shown not
only on the vote for mayor but on several of the other offices. J. Fred Prentiss was the non-partisan
candidate for mayor and people rallied to his support regardless of former
party affiliations, for they felt that with him as mayor many of the prevailing
conditions complained of would cease. It
is safe to say that over 500 democrats voted for him and agreed that there is
room for reform here. WG
_______________________________________________________________
1924
Ex-Mayor Grube Called By Death
1854 - 1924
(Newspaper picture)
The
death of Ex-Mayor Herman G. Grube occurred at 10:30 o’clock Thursday night in
the family home, 512 [S] Fifth Street, following an illness of several months
duration, during which time all that medical skill could do was attempted in an
effort to prolong his life but proved of no avail. Owing to his critical conditions his death
was not unexpected but it will be learned with deep regret by his many friends
in this section.
Mr.
Grube had been an esteemed resident of this city and section during most of his
life. He was born in the town of Emmet
1885
Coming
to Watertown when a young man he launched into a business career and became one
of the best known business men in the city.
After serving as an apprentice in local stores he engaged in business
for himself on
Mr.
Grube was a man of pronounced views and when he believed himself in the right
could not be shaken from his position.
He was honored by the people of Watertown and held several positions of
trust in all of which he served efficiently and to his credit. He was elected by the democrats as alderman
of the First ward and served two terms, 1893 and 1894. He was elected mayor of the city in 1899 and
1890 and again in 1910 and 1912. He also
served one term as assemblyman from this district. He has been a member of the Watertown
Advancement association for many years and his judgment was recognized in the
deliberations of that body which has done much for the industrial development
of the city. When the project of a
county fair for Watertown was broached Mr. Grube was one of its ardent
supporters and helped in many ways to launch it to a successful issue. He had been previously identified with the Watertown Driving Association, which was merged with
the fair association, and was elected treasurer of the Watertown Inter-County fair, which position he
held during the first three years, relinquishing the office owing to stress of
other duties connected with the fair. He
also served for a time as cashier and director of the Wisconsin National Bank.
Mr.
Grube was a man of fine character whose word could always be relied upon, and
during his life in Watertown was always willing to aid those in distress and do
a kind act when the necessity became apparent.
He had many warm friendships which he retained until the grim reaper cut
him down. He was always proud of
Watertown and played well his part in promoting its material development. As in public life he had the respect of all,
so in private life he won the warm regard of all who came in contact with him
and leaves a host of friends to deplore their personal loss and that civic loss
involved in the death of a good citizen.
The surviving
children are Percy B. Grube, Miss Zayda Grube, this
city and Mrs. E. G. Meilahn, Milwaukee. One brother, Erdman Grube of Emmet and one
sister, Mrs. Herman Oestreich of this city, also
survive.
The
funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Is buried in Oak Hill
Cemetery
Cross references:
GRUBE HOME
512
S. Fifth (1952)
Grube-Greinert Mercantile Co 1913, 302-304 E Main,
Clothing-Retail
Grube-Greinert Mercantile Co 1934, 302-204 E Main
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin