LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett and Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" (Baker) (Anderson) Bickett are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI.

POST NO.35

RIEDEMANN-THOMPSON       WATERTOWN

The first organizational meeting of AMVETS Post No. 35 was held on June 24, 1947 at the Streamline. The meeting was conducted by John J. Millane, Dept. Sr. Vice Commander and various other State Department officials were also in attendance. Earl Danner, Commander; Robert Shubert, Adjutant and Don Mitchell, Finance Officer were the temporary officers elected at this meeting.

AMVETS Post No. 35 was named in memory of Harvey W. Riedemann, son of Hr. and Mrs. Erick A. Riedemann, who lost his life while a prisoner of war of the Japanese and George E. Thompson, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Thompson, who died while a prisoner of war of the Nazis. Thus the Post is named after one Pacific and one European war theatre victim from Watertown to perpetuate their memories through the years to come.

The Riedemann-Thompson Post was chartered on September 2. 1947 with a total of 179 charter members. The charter was presented at ceremonies held in connection with the first Post Picnic on September 14, 1947 at Riverside Park.

Post No. 35 had the distinction of being the largest original charter Post in the United States and also won the National Commander’s Membership Plaque in the 4th National District, in 1947.

Watertown AMVETS were host to AMVETS first State Bowling Tournament, held at Raasch’s Bowl in Watertown in 1948 as well as the AMVETS State Golf Tournaments of 1948 and 1949. In fact, Riedemann-Thompson retired the State Golf Trophy after winning it three years in a row. The 1952 AMVETS Mid-Winter Conference was held in Watertown.

In 1948, Post 35 with the cooperation of the L. M. Bickett Co. of Watertown provided spine protex respirator chair cushions to be available at no cost to disabled veterans who were required to sit long hours because of disability.

AMVET Amputee Automobile Plates for Veteran Amputees entitling unlimited parking priveleges in the City of Watertown and surrounding cities were also provided and distributed by Post 35.

Post No. 35 AMVETS were instrumental in forming the Watertown Veterans’ Council comprised of representation from AMVETS, American Legion and V.F.W. Posts. This organization speaks for the combined effort of three great veteran organizations.

The Xenia Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, May 4, 1897

A dispatch from Springfield states that it was learned to-day that Gertrude Baker, the 17-year-old daughter of a prominent merchant of Yellow Springs, who eloped last Wednesday with Geo. Anderson, the son of a wealthy citizen of Morrow, near Cincinnati, is at her home in Yellow Springs. The young couple came here, where they took a train for Cincinnati and were married in Covington, Ky., Thursday morning. The young lady then returned to this city, where her mother found her Saturday. Miss Baker is considered the most beautiful girl in Yellow Springs, being a brunette of strikingly handsome face and figure and her elopement has caused the greatest sensation of recent years there. She and young Anderson were students at Antioch college, where they became infatuated with one another. Leigh Larson note: Morrow is a small Village located in Warren Co., OH.

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Monday, April 13, 1903

Several of the boys who have been employed at the Xenia shoe factory resigned on Saturday and went to work this morning at the National Cash Register works at Dayton. Among the number were Will Jenks, John Fudge and LeRoy Bickett.

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Thursday, June 16, 1904

Mr. Roy Bickett, who has been employed in the Xenia shoe factory, left Thursday for Horse Shoe, N. Y., where he expects to take a position with a large lumber firm. A place has been obtained for him by Capt. Charles Bull, who has been located at the point named for several weeks. Mr. Bull is acting as a stenographer and bookkeeper and telegraph operator for the firm, which is a very wealthy one, operating in the lumber business very extensively, and his position is a good one.

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Friday, September 24, 1909

Mr. Roy Bickett is ill at his home on Spring Hill, suffering with typhoid fever. Mr. Bickett has been employed in Akron.

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Friday, April 29, 1910

ADDITIONAL LOCALS.

Messrs. Roy Bickett and Archie Dean, two well known Xenia men, have gone into business in Dayton, having become members of the Globe Vulcanizing & Rubber Company of that city. Mr. Bickett, who has been employed for some time by a big rubber plant at Akron, is the manager of the Dayton company. The other members of the firm are Dayton men named W. H. Overpack and F. N. Trissel.

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Monday, May 16, 1910

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Saturday, June 17, 1911

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Bickett, (nee, Gertrude Baker,) who were recently married, will reside here with Mrs. Bickett's mother. Mr. Bickett is a prominent business man in Dayton, and his bride is one of the estimable and charming young ladies of this city. We wish the happy couple much joy and happiness in the future.

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Wednesday, September 17, 1913

Leroy M. Bickett of this place, has opened an auto repair shop in Xenia. Mr. Bickett is a practical auto man, having had a good deal of experience in that line.

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, April 7, 1914

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Baker and children of Weeden, Canada, are visiting their mother, Mrs. Helen Baker.

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, May 11, 1915

XENIA COMPANY BUYS HOME CITY RUBBER CONCERN

DEAL CLOSED MONDAY FOR THE PURCHASE OF STOCK, EQUIPMENT AND BUSINESS OF THE SPRINGFIELD TIRE AND RUBBER COMPANY.

With the stock and equipment the business of the Springfield Tire and Rubber Company was taken over in a deal signed Monday in Springfield by which the Xenia Rubber Company becomes the owner of the Home City concern. The equipment and machinery alone are valued at $20,000 while the business in a flourishing condition is equally as valuable. The consideration was not made public. All of the equipment and stock will be brought to this city and appropriated for the extension work of the local company. It is necessary to find new quarters to accommodate the new equipment and take care of the rapidly increasing business. Several sites are under consideration but the officers were unwilling to state which might be selected although they admitted that there was a favored place, - in Xenia. The Springfield Tire and Rubber Company was one of the most flourishing industries in the state until they were ordered out of their quarters by the owner of the building. The same difficulty in finding a suitable place was confronted by them and finally given up and it was decided to dispose of the machinery and business. In the correspondence of the firm are business letters from Bombay, India, Buenos Aires and other large points in foreign countries. That the acquisition of the business of the new firm will be a big asset to the business of the local firm may be realized from this indication of the extent of business carried on by the Springfield firm. All of the energies at the local plant are now practically directed toward the completion of immense orders for the new composition polishing wheel. This article has met an instant demand upon the market and is having wonderful sales. Manufacturers and men engaged in nearly every walk of life find use for this new polisher. Under the management of L. M. Bickett, the Xenia Rubber Company has grown into a concern of prominence in a remarkably short period of time. Not only is the prominence marked in this city, where the company is looked upon as one of the city's boomers, but all over the state in manufacturing circles and especially in the rubber industries. As soon as the available location is secured and buildings erected to accommodate the new machinery the wheels will be started in motion  on a far larger scale, which will subsequently entail the employment of more men and will bring more people to Xenia.

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, December 26, 1916

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Bickett are the parents of a baby daughter, born Saturday afternoon.

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Monday, July 16, 1917

RUBBER PLANT SOLD AND WILL BE MOVED AWAY

The Old Town Rubber Company, and The Xenia Rubber Company, with a combined capitalization of $70,000, have sold their interest and holdings in the rubber manufacturing plant at Oldtown, to Milwaukee capitalists. The deal by which the sale was made, was completed Saturday. The equipment of the Old Town plant will be moved at once to Milwaukee, where a company which will probably be incorporated as The Wisconsin Rubber Company, will continue the manufacturing of rubber products along the same lines, but on a much more extensive scale than was done while the plant was situated here. Roy Bickett, who originated the Xenia Rubber Company, and who is vice president of The Old Town Rubber Company, and secretary of the Xenia Rubber Company, will go to Milwaukee, and will be factory manager and superintendent for the new company. His sister, Miss Agnes Bickett, who has been bookkeeper at the Old Town plant, will also go to Milwaukee to take a similar position with the new corporation. The Xenia Rubber Company, capitalized at $40,000, is the holding company, owning the real estate, buildings and equipment of the rubber factory at Old Town. The Old Town Rubber Company, capitalized at $30,000 is the operating company. The real estate and buildings will be sold and the equipment moved to Milwaukee. Robert Kuhn, a Cincinnati capitalist, is the president, and principal stock owner of the Old Town Rubber Company. He intended the business for his son, Robert Kuhn, Jr., who is secretary and treasurer of the concern, and has been actively engaged in the work. The son recently joined a branch of the military service and has already joined his command. The Xenia Rubber Company was started in this city in 1913 by Roy Bickett. It manufactured several rubber products in the plant on West Main street. Afterward it was moved to the Old Town property, and some time later The Old Town Rubber Company was formed. The plant now employs 35 people and its chief article of manufacture is rubber heels. L. S. Pease of Milwaukee, a corporation lawyer, is here representing the Milwaukee people who will take over the plant. D. N. Russell of Cincinnati is here representing the Kuhn interest in the companies. Mr. Bickett, who originated the rubber manufacturing business in this city, worked hard, and brought the business to a point where it has become an industry which promises to develop into a large concern. He received little encouragement from local capital, but strangers were quick to see the possibilities of the industry.

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Wednesday, August 29, 1917

WORK OF MOVING RUBBER PLANT HAS BEEN COMPLETED

Work of moving the equipment of The Xenia and Old Town Rubber Companies from the plant at Old Town, was completed last Saturday. The equipment, stock and materials on hand were moved to Philadelphia, where the company which purchased the interests of The Xenia Rubber Company, and The Old Town Rubber Company, will establish a rubber manufactory on a much larger scale. Roy Bickett, who was manager of the Xenia Rubber Company, and his sister, Miss Agnes, started Sunday for Philadelphia, where they will be connected with the new plant. D. H. Russell, of Cincinnati, who was superintendent of the Old Town Rubber Company for Mr. Kuhn, has returned to Cincinnati.

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, October 2, 1917

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mr. Leroy Bickett and family and Mrs. Helen Baker left Sunday for their new home in Milwaukee, Wis.

The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Wednesday, April 10, 1918

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Bickett and children and Mrs. Helen Baker, who spent the winter in Milwaukee, where Mr. Bickett is in business, returned home Friday.

The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Wednesday, June 4, 1918

YELLOW SPRINGS

Wednesday, June 12.

Leroy Bickett of Milwaukee, Wis., spent the past week here with his family.

The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, July 16, 1918

MISS AGNES BICKETT WEDS A TEXAS MAN

Miss D. Agnes Bickett, daughter of Mrs. George Bickett of Yellow Springs, became the bride of Willoughby J. Chapman of Galveston, Texas, Monday, the quiet service taking place at the home of the officiating clergyman, the Rev. D. D. Dodds, on East Market street. The bridal pair was unattended. The bride wore a tailored suit in taupe. Following the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Chapman started for Cleveland, and they will visit Mr. Chapman's mother and sisters in that city and Akron. They expect to be in Yellow Springs for a short visit before going to their home in Galveston. Mr. Chapman, who is an Englishman by birth, is a wholesale grocer and dealer in ship supplies at Galveston. Mrs. Chapman has been in Milwaukee for the past year, having been engaged there as bookkeeper for The Petley Rubber Manufacturing Company. She came home two weeks ago to prepare for her marriage.

The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, October 15, 1918

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mrs. Helen Baker, Mrs. L. M. Bickett and children, left Thursday for Milwaukee, Wis., where they will spend the winter. Mr. Bickett has a position there with a rubber company.

The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Wednesday, November 20, 1918

YELLOW SPRINGS

Leroy Bickett, of Milwaukee, Wis., made a business trip here Thursday and spent a short time with his mother, Mrs. George Bickett.

The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, June 17, 1919

COURT NEWS

A petition asking for an order dissolving the Xenia Rubber Company, was filed in common pleas court today by J. H. Sanders, G. G. McClain, C. C. Hosier, L. M. Bickett and C. A. Harner, directors of the company. The application sets forth that the company was incorporated May 29, 1914 with a capitalization of $40,000 and that in 1917 the company disposed of all of its holdings. The appointment of a master commissioner and dissolution of the company is asked for. Harry D. Smith, attorney.

The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, June 17, 1919

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mrs. Helen Baker, Mrs. Leroy Bickett and children left Sunday for Milwaukee, where they will reside. Mr. Bickett is connected with a rubber plant in that city.

The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, September 2, 1919

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mrs. Leroy Bickett and children, and Mrs. Helen Baker, left Monday for their home in Milwaukee, Wis., after a week's visit with Mrs. George Bickett.

Mary D. Pease, b. 1847, d. 1924 (Oak Hill Cemetery inscription)

September 25, 1924

DEATH OF MRS. HARLOW PEASE

Mrs. Mary J. Pease, widow of the later Harlow Pease, one of Watertown’s most prominent attorney’s for many years, died last week Monday in a sanitarium near Butte, Montana. Her remains were brought here last Friday and taken to James Boyle’s undertaking parlors, from where the funeral was held that morning to St. Bernard’s church. The interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery beside those of her husband. Mrs. Pease’s maiden name was Mary J. Davelin. She was born in Milwaukee in July 1847, and on June 4, 1877 was married to Harlow Pease, who died in this city in June, 1907. Mrs. Pease went west with her daughter nine years ago. One son Harlow Pease of Butte, Montana, and one daughter, Mrs. Leroy M. Gilbert of Dillon, Montana, and seven grandchildren survive her; also one stepson, Mr. Pease’s son by his first wife, Dr. Edward Pease of Proctersville, Vermont, and two sisters, Mrs. George Hannaford of Boise, Idaho, and Mrs. Wm. McMahon of Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Gilbert and daughter accompanied the remains of Mrs. Pease here and are at present visiting at the home of Miss Ella Wilder. For many years Mrs. Pease was one of Watertown’s most prominent lady residents and a lady of culture and refinement whose death is mourned here by all her old friends as that of a most excellent woman.

Leigh Larson note: Susan "Susie" (Huntley) Pease died January 30, 1865, in Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, at about age 33.

The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Thursday, April 21, 1927

Miss Dorothy Gerhardt left Wednesday for Watertown, Wis., where she was called on account of the serious illness of her cousin, Mrs. Leroy Bickett, who is in the hospital where she underwent an operation.

"To Ruth Bickett. My birthday party is on June 6, 1928 - 12 years old. Hope you like it. Merry Xmas. From Mary Hawkins." Ruth Bickett (age 11) is on the far left. The 1930 U. S. Census shows the Kenneth Hawkins family is living at 1010 8th Street, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. He is a Bee Ware Factory Sales Manager.

The Wisconsin Sate Journal, Madison, WI, April 20, 1930

W. A. Schumann Heads Watertown Rotary Club

WATERTOWN - W. A. Schumann was elected to succeed L. M. Bickett as president of the Watertown Rotary club at a meeting of the board of directors last week. Other officers elected are Frank W. Newbouer, vice president; H. C. Tidd, secretary; and E. E. Bentzin, treasurer. They will take their offices in July.

The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI, April 4, 1931

Watertown Bowlers Hit New Records

Bickett Team Rolls New Mark at National Elks Meet

DETROIT, Mich. - A new record was established in the National Elks Club Bowling tournament here Friday night when the Bickett team of Watertown rolled into first place with a score of 3,166. H. O'Brien and F. Maerzke starred with games of 692 and 689 respectively. Individual scores follow: F. Maerzke: 206, 226, 217 - 689; F. Lange: 248, 218, 192 - 659; L. Bickett: 159, 171, 175 - 505; R. Hartzheim: 216, 243, 162 - 621; H. O'Brien: 201, 289, 202 - 692.

The Milwaukee Journal, Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WI, Tuesday, January 31, 1933

Bickett, Watertown Bowler, Scores 719 to Set League Record

BY BILLY SIXTY

From Watertown comes the news of a record strike flurry by L. M. Bickett in the City league that produced a 719 total on games of 236, 247 and 236. One of the unknowns of bowling, entering his third season on the alleys, Bickett has had remarkable success. At the end of his first year he averaged. He went to 178 in 1932 and is now thumping along at a 190 pace. The 719 was his first count over the coveted 700 mark.

   

The WWII Draft Registration Report dated April 25, 1942, shows LeRoy McVey Bickett is living in Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI.

September 28, 1954

The current issue of the Saturday Evening Post contains an advertisement by the Andrews-Alderfer Co. of Akron, Ohio, which features "Fabricushon," a rubber and fiber product which was the brainchild of L. M. Bickett of the Bickett Rubber Co. of Watertown. Mr. Bickett coined the name for it some years ago and his concern has been making a product under that name. Some time ago he sold the name to the Akron concern for $6,750 and the company is now turning out its products under that name. The Bickett Company is also making a new shredded fiber and rubber cushion which is sold under the name of Pedicushion. That, too, is a name coined by Mr. Bickett.

The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, May 3, 1956

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

Purchase of the International Rubber Co. plant on W. 25th St. by the Bickett Rubber Products Corp., Watertown, Wis., was announced by L. M. Bickett, vice president of the Wisconsin firm, who said operations would be transferred here and the idle International factory placed in operation again.

The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, June 6, 1956

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

The plant of the former International Rubber Company on W. 25th St., was being placed in shape for the shipment of machinery here by the  by the Bickett Rubber Products Corporation of Watertown, Wis.

The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, June 15, 1956

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

L. M. Bickett, president of the Bickett Rubber Products Company, said operations at the plant of W. 25th St. were scheduled to start July 1.

The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, June 19, 1956

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

Four carloads of machinery acquired from the Kokomo Tire and Rubber Company were being set up in the plant of the Bickett Rubber Products Plant on W. 25th St.

The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, July 19, 1956

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

Operations on a small scale were started at the Bickett Rubber Products Corporation plant, W. 25th St.

The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, August 20, 1956

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

Operating with a force of nearly 30 persons and making 4,000 pounds of rubber products a day, the Bickett Rubber Products plant, W. 25th St., laid plans to double capacity of the factory.

The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, September 5, 1956

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

Some departments of the new Bickett Rubber Products plant, W. 25th St., were working nights because of an influx of orders.

The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, October 25, 1956

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

L. M. Bickett, president of the Bickett Rubber Products Corporation, reported the factory on W. 25th St. was operating nearly full time.

The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, December 5, 1956

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

F. M. Bickett, head of the Bickett Rubber Products Company, W. 25th St., said an inventory was being taken at the plant.

The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, April 16, 1957

AROUND THE TOWN 25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1932:

The Bickett Rubber Products plant, W. 25th St., was sold to a Chicago firm for $43,000 on a high bid submitted at a receiver sale.

The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, May 6, 1957

AROUND TOWN 25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1932:

The Bickett Rubber Products plant, W. 25th St., under the management of Ben Beeler, was operation under a reduced schedule.

The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, June 11, 1957

AROUND TOWN 25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1932:

Contracts that were being filled by the Mid-West Rubber Products plant, W. 25th St., successor to the Bickett Rubber Co., compelled the factory to operate overtime for several weeks.

The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, July 29, 1957

AROUND TOWN 25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1932:

Walter Zeigler, sales manager of the Mid-West Rubber Products Company plant, W. 25th St., reported that the firm has secured as customers four of the largest users of standard rubber products in the country.

   

Ruth Bickett in a Watertown School School Play costume, 700 Clyman Street, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, about 1930.

Waukesha Freeman, Wednesday, June 28, 1937

GIVES TALK ON RUBBER TRADE

Production Discussed at Rotary Meeting

Rubber, Its Development and Production, was discussed by L. M. Bickett, manufacturer of rubber goods at Watertown, before members of the Waukesha Rotary club, meeting for their regular Monday luncheon at the Avalon hotel. Mr. Bickett, who started in the rubber business in 1907, told how the price of rubber fluctuates and what Great Britain and the Dutch, two of the world's largest dealers in rubber, have done to hold the price of crude rubber at a standard price. "In case of war," Mr. Bickett said, "the government has assigned each rubber company in the United States to make certain rubber products. Our company has been assigned to manufacture gas masks and allied products. In 24 hours our plant would be operating at a tremendous rate under government supervision."  It is interesting to note, according to Mr. Bickett, that the work of inland rubber companies has been stressed more than that of coastal companies because of the possibility of air raids by a belligerent country. Guests of the Rotary luncheon Monday were Walter Smith of Racine, F. H. Mayfield of Waukesha, and Charles Doughty of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

Galveston Coastal? News, Friday, June 25, 1937

To the right are a group of visitors from Wisconsin, who have been spending the week here as the guests of Mrs. W. J. Chapman and daughter, Miss Jean Chapman. Miss Ruth Bickett, standing, and Miss Helen Bickett, seated on the top step, are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Bickett of Watertown, Wis., and the nieces of Mrs. Chapman. They were accompanied by Miss Doris Kaddatz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Kaddatz, of Watertown, who is seated on the lowest step. Miss Chapman  who is pictured with the group will accompany them when they leave. They will spend a few days in New Orleans before returning home.

Helen Fiegel and Ruth Bickett on Helen's wedding day, Watertown, WI, October 16, 1938. Taken at 700 Clyman Street, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI.

Ruth and Helen Bickett, and two others, all "Smokin!" Probably taken at Helen's October 16, 1938, Wedding. Taken at 700 Clyman Street, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI.

Watertown Daily Times, Monday, April 3, 1939

TIMES SQUARE

Minnie Bickett. Minnie is just a dog, but she has been providing a lot of fun and laughs in a local department store. Minnie, in case you don't know, is the pet of the L. M. Bickett family and devotes much of her time to chasing the squirrels that live in the vicinity of Clyman street. . . . Minnie delights in running along the street, barking loudly, as the squirrels scamper to safety in the trees. . . . Some time ago Minnie wandered into the store of Chas. Fischer and Sons and her attention was attracted to the moving coin cars that carry sales slips and payments from clerks in various parts of the store to the office. . . . Evidently Minnie thinks anything that moves is a squirrel, for she set up a series of barks and ran up and down, chasing after the moving objects overhead. . . . Since then she has frequently returned to the store, barking and chasing the little boxes as they shuttle back and forth from office to counters. . . . Now whenever the phone in Mr. Bickett's home rings and somebody informs the family that "Minnie is down here again" they know just what it means.

Ruth Bickett, about 1940. Taken at 700 Clyman Street, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI.

Bickett Residence, 700 Clyman Street, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, about 1940.

Ruth (Bickett) Larson, with her son, Leigh, at the Le-Ki-Re Ranch, Shields Twp., Dodge Co., WI, about 1943.

Ruth (Bickett) Larson and Gertrude Bickett, at the Le-Ki-Re Ranch, Shields Twp., Dodge Co., WI, about 1943.

Pal Bickett, Leigh and Reed Larson at Christmas, 1943, 700 Clyman Street, Watertown, WI.

Leigh Larson and Reed Larson. Taken at Le-Ki-Re Ranch, Shields Twp., Dodge Co., WI, about 1945.

Back row, left to right): Ruth (Bickett) Larson, Vic Fiegel, Gertrude (Baker) Bickett. Front row (left to right): Reed Larson, Leigh Larson and Kirt Fiegel. Taken at Le-Ki-Re Ranch, Shields Twp., Dodge Co., WI, about 1945.

Leigh Larson, Kirt Fiegel and Reed Larson, on the house roof at Le-Ki-Re Ranch, Shields Twp., Dodge Co., WI, about 1945.

Leigh Larson, Kirt Fiegel and Reed Larson, taken at Pine Lake, Waushara Co., WI, about 1945.

The Waukesha Daily Freeman, Waukesha, WI, January 9, 1948

Ask Permit for Radio Station at Watertown

WASHINGTON, - The Federal Communications commission announced today that the Rock River Valley Broadcasting company had applied for permission to operate a standard station at Watertown, Wis. The application proposed that the station operate with a power of 250 watts on a frequency of 920 kilocycles, daytime only. L. M. Bickett, who owns the L. M. Bickett company, rubber manufacturers, Watertown, is chairman of the board of the broadcasting company. W. A. Larson, Bickett's son-in-law and sales manager of the Bickett company, is President of the broadcasting company. The FCC also announced a non-commercial educational FM grant to the Wisconsin State Radio council for both Chilton and Wausau, Wis.

Roy Bickett with the deer he shot near Swamsauger Lake, near Tripoli, Oneida Co., WI.

The cabin at Swamsauger Lake, near Tripoli, Oneida Co., WI, 1953.

The side of the boathouse at Pine Lake, Waushara Co., WI, 1953, after Bill Larson painted it.

The lake end of the boathouse at Pine Lake, Waushara Co., WI, 1953, after Bill Larson painted it.

Northern portion of the L. M. Bickett Co. building, 1957.

The last known picture of L. M. Bickett, taken about December 1957 at the W. A. Larson residence, 311 S. Washington Street, Watertown, WI.

Obituary of L. M. Bickett, appearing on the front page of the Watertown Daily Times, May 5, 1958:

L. M. Bickett Stricken Here At Age of 75

Business Leader Was Widely Known; Funeral Wednesday

L. M. Bickett, 75, of 700 Clyman Street, one of Watertown's widely known civic and industrial leaders, died late last night in St. Mary's Hospital. He had been in poor health for some time. Death came to him peacefully while he slept. Mr. Bickett was head of the L. M. Bickett Co., rubber products manufacturers. He was a native of Xenia, Ohio, where he was born on May 1, 1883, a son of George and Elizabeth (Simons) Bickett. He was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Baker, Yellow Springs, Ohio, on June 8, 1911.

Family Survives

Besides his wife he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Victor G. (Helen) Fiegel, Elkhorn, Wis., and Mrs. W. A. Larson, Watertown. Other survivors are five grandsons, Kirt and Todd Fiegel, Leigh, Reed and Bruce Larson. Mr. Bickett was preceded in death by one grandson, Alan Fiegel. Mr. Bickett became identified with the rubber industry in 1908, and after five years experience with several large rubber manufacturers organized the Xenia Rubber Mfg. Co. at Xenia, Ohio, in 1913. In 1917 the Xenia Rubber Mfg. Co. was sold to a group of Milwaukee industrialists who organized the Everwear Rubber Co. and the business was transferred to Milwaukee, Mr. Bickett becoming General Manager of the Milwaukee organization. In 1920 the Everwear Rubber Co. was taken over as a going concern by Rubtex Products, Inc. of Indianapolis and manufacturing activities were transferred to that city.

Came Here In 1920

After having resided in Wisconsin for approximately three years he decided to remain in Wisconsin and in the fall of 1920 the Bickett Rubber Products Corp. of Watertown, Wis., was organized to manufacture industrial rubber goods. In 1932 the Bickett Rubber Products Corp. reorganized and became the L. M. Bickett Company and this reorganized company has met with remarkable success specializing in the manufacture of sponge rubber cushions, desk and chair mats, and other rubber products distributed through the office supply trade. During the war all civilian production was suspended and the plant operated 100 percent on war work and had numerous contracts, both direct and subcontract.

Developed Foreign Market

Prior to the war an extensive market was developed for a patented type of office chair called "The Respirator", and the slogan "The World is Sitting on Respirator Cushions" was adopted for the reason that they were shipped to foreign countries completely encircling the globe. The Respirator ventilated seat cushion was developed and patented by Mr. Bickett and several additional patents were secured, all dealing with the manufacture or use of rubber products. Mr. Bickett was a hard working individual, spending a minimum amount of his time in the office, preferring to work in the factory with rubber products or preparing mold equipment to be used in producing special products. Quite frequently salesmen refused to believe that they had interviewed the boss himself as in the course of his work, soiled clothing, dirty face and hands led visitors to believe they were talking to one of the factory employees.

Loved Outdoor Life

Mr. Bickett's hobbies were bowling, fishing, hunting and the outdoors. He was one of Watertown's outstanding bowlers and one of the teams he sponsored won the Elk's national tournament in 1931. In 1945 he acquired, in the Town of Shields in Dodge Co., a number of adjoining farms representing a total in excess of 700 acres. This project, known as Le-Ki-Re Ranch, named in honor of his grandsons, was his idea to make in Wisconsin a duplicate of ranches found in western states. Mr. Bickett was actively identified in all civic affairs. He was past president of the Watertown Rotary Club, past exalted ruler of the Watertown Elks Club 666, and a charter member of the Watertown Country Club; past president of the Watertown Business Men's Association which later became the Watertown Chamber of Commerce and still later the present Watertown Association of Commerce. He was also active in the Jefferson County Taxpayers Association, having served as one of its presidents.

Interest In Government

Mr. Bickett took great interest in government and in the late 1920s and early 1930s began advocating the city managership for Watertown. He sponsored a public meeting at which such a plan was outlined. He brought to Watertown the late George S. Parker, head of the Parker Pen Co. of Janesville, and the late Henry Traxler, then city manager of Janesville, to address the meeting. The move, however, failed, and Watertown remained under the mayor-aldermanic system until 1950, Mr. Bickett having been far ahead of his time, but he did live to see his views on city government vindicated three times in three separate elections. Mr. Bickett's personal life was one of warm and loyal friendship and his generosity, which was great, hardly ever came to public notice. He preferred to help others without taking credit or accepting acclaim. He had many interests and contributed to all of them. Watertown has been made better and richer in civic and community progress because of Mr. Bickett's influence. He leaves behind him a rich heritage for civic interest and improvement and by reason of the part he played in this community.

Service Wednesday

The funeral will take place Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the First Congregational Church, the Rev. Royal F. Shepard, Jr., officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects at the Schmutzler Funeral Home Tuesday from 3 to 9 p.m. and up to 10 a.m. on Wednesday. From 11 a.m. Wednesday until the funeral service the body will be in state in the church.

The Watertown Daily Times, Watertown, WI, Tuesday, October 22, 1968

Mrs. L. M. Bickett Is Dead at 88

Mrs. L. M. Bickett, 88, who resided at St. Joseph's Home for the Aged, passed away yesterday afternoon. She had resided in Watertown from 1921 until 1963 when she moved to Elkhorn to make her home with her daughter. About a year ago she moved to St. Joseph's Home for the Aged in Watertown. The former Gertrude Baker was born Feb. 10, 1880 in Yellow Springs, Ohio, to Mr. and Mrs. William Penn Baker. She married LeRoy M. Bickett on June 8, 1911 at Yellow Springs, Ohio. He preceded her in death in 1958. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Helen Fiegel, Elkhorn; Mrs. Ruth Larson, Watertown; five grandsons; three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers and one grandson. Mrs. Bickett was a graduate of Antioch College and had a degree in music and teaching. She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, and the Clover Club of that church, a member of Watertown Chapter No. 44 Order of Eastern Star and the Past Matrons Club of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Bickett was the first president of the Band Mothers Club, now known as the Parents Music Club. Services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, the Rev. Roy P. Steen officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Eastern Star services will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Schmutzler Funeral Home. Friends may pay their respects at the funeral home from 3 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and until 10 a.m. on Thursday. After 11 a.m. Thursday the body will be in state at the church.

The Janesville Daily Gazette, Janesville, WI, Tuesday, October 22, 1968

Mrs. L. M. Bickett

Mrs. L. M. Bickett, 88, died yesterday in St. Joseph's Home, Watertown, after suffering a stroke two weeks ago. Gertrude Baker was born in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Feb. 10, 1880, and was a graduate of Antioch College in music and teaching. She was married in Yellow Springs June 8, 1911, to LeRoy M. Bickett. He died in 1958. She was a member of First Congregational Church, Watertown, and its Clover Club, and a member of the Ladies Society of Elkhorn Congregational Church, Watertown Chapter of Eastern Star and past matron's club. A resident of Watertown from 1921 to 1963 when she moved to Elkhorn to live with a daughter. She moved to St. Joseph's Home last year. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Victor (Helen) Fiegel, Elkhorn; Mrs. Ruth Larson, Watertown; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers and one grandson. Mrs. Bickett was a graduate of Antioch College and had a degree in music and teaching. Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in the First Congregational Church. Friends may call tomorrow afternoon and evening at the Schmutzler Funeral Home, Watertown, where Eastern Star rites will be held.

Edited reflections by their daughter Helen Means (Bickett) Fiegel

Roy was a man possessed of a great deal of "drive." He did not have a lot of formal education, but he had many and varied interests, and acquired a surprising education from, as he said, the "school of hard knocks". As a young man, he belonged to the Ohio Militia. He was a self-taught musician and played the coronet, and organized and was the leader of the Militia Band. This was in the early 1900s.

He worked at a bicycle shop in Dayton, OH; then as a vulcanizer in a rubber factory in Springfield, OH. In 1911 he was a shareholder in the Globe Rubber Company of Dayton, OH. In 1914 he formed the Xenia Rubber Company.

In 1917 he moved to Milwaukee, WI where he was employed by the Petley Rubber Company. In 1921 he was hired by the Pan American Rubber Company in Watertown, WI, and the company after reorganization was known as the Bickett Rubber Products Company.

Lawson Airplane Company--Continental Faience and Tile Company (added 2001 - Building - #01000964); also known as Pan-American Rubber Company, 909 Menomonee Ave., South Milwaukee.

During 1931, an effort was made to move the company to Anderson, IN, but because of the failure of the bank backing the move, after moving some equipment to Anderson, the company returned to Watertown, where it was reorganized as the L. M. Bickett Company, which continued until after his death in 1958. LeRoy Bickett had several patents issued to him (see below). The L. M. Bickett Company, in addition to custom rubber molding, developed a line of products for office use. Mr. Bickett designed, patented, and developed a world-wide market for the Respirator Chair Cushion. They also made chair mats (trade names Rolmaster and Flexmaster), and he developed the link-mat (trade name Ruberlynk) for entrances to large buildings. There were also standing mats (trade name Standees), and other mats for various purposes, as under typewriters, desk tops, jail cell beds, and bowling alley pits. He developed a rubber pencil cup holder (trade name Bicco), and a molded rubber covered mallet. In one section of the factory he had a machine shop, and he made practically all the molds that were used in production. They also produced a line of rubber-bonded abrasive grinding wheels and razor hones. A specialty product for home use was "Kleenzum", a mixture of soap and sand for cleaning really dirty hands. An unusual solid natural rubber rubber ball was also manufactured, which was about 3 inches in diameter and had two external 360 degree half round circular ridges at 90 degrees to each other, providing very lively but erratic and unpredictable bouncing properties.

Gertie was a graduate of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH, with degrees in music and teaching. She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, and the Clover Club of that church; a member of Watertown Chapter No. 44 Order of Eastern Star and the Past Matrons Club of the Eastern Star; was the first president of the Band Mothers Club, now known as the Parents Music Club. She had resided in Watertown from 1921 until 1963 when she moved to Elkhorn, WI, to make her home with her daughter Helen. She resided at St. Joseph's Home for the Aged in Watertown from late 1967 until her death in 1968. 

Roy and Gertie were married in the Village of Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH, on June 8, 1911, and they lived in Yellow Springs until moving to Wisconsin in 1917. After 1921 their home was in Watertown, WI and they both became community leaders in various activities. 

During the mid-1940s Mr. Bickett decided the time had come to buy the farmland he said he always wanted to buy, to replace that which his grandfather Adam Reed Bickett had lost following the Civil War, so he bought several farms totaling 734 acres near Richwood, Dodge Co., WI. One of the farms turned out to be completely unsuitable for farming operations, so he decided to dredge it out, creating a pond, and turn it into a wildlife refuge. This was an extremely expensive operation, and he had a difference of opinion with the Internal Revenue Service over his claims he had been advised this was an operating expense and should not be capitalized. He contested the tax assessment, without success, and of course with prolonging the affair the penalties grew larger. His preoccupation with this matter had a greatly adverse effect on his health. Financially the whole affair of the "ranch" was a disaster. Before his death he agreed to sell part of the farm property to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and this area is still used for wildlife.

Life was far from easy for Roy and Gertie. They raised their two daughters through the Depression years, just at the time the company was attempting to make the move to Indiana, and the Respirator Seat Cushion idea and patent were the result of desperately searching for a saleable product to make. Then the economic conditions gradually righted themselves and they had the problems of the "ranch" to handle, plus Roy's onset of diabetes. They were beloved by their grandsons, more than many knew. How those grandsons loved to go to the "ranch" with Pal and Granny!

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, March 22, 1967

CRACKER BARREL

Start Of World War 1917 Story

Roy Bickett sold the Old Town Rubber Co., where he had been manufacturing rubber heels in a former flour mill and moved his operations to Wisconsin where he manufactured cushions for desk chairs.

The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Wednesday, April 23, 1969

Twenty Years Ago

CRACKER BARREL

Many Businesses Died Here - - Rubber Firm Stayed Alive

One successful local manufacturing venture reached its full potential elsewhere. Roy Bickett started his Xenia Rubber co. in a downtown location, acquired new equipment, bought the Ben Belden flour mill at Old Town and moved there. The company was incorporated for $40,000 with Bickett, Harvey Sanders, A. C. Sanders, E.. D. Stroup and L. H. Hunter as incorporators. But Bickett, frustrated here, took his operation to Wisconsin where his rubber-filled chair cushions prospered along with a recreation park he established.

A 2010 ebay posting listed a Bickett Razor Hone No. 6C for sale.  It is 2 1/2 by 3 7/8 inches. Manufactured by Bickett Rubber Products Corporation, Watertown, Wisconsin, USA. It is a man-made barber hone. The hone is new in box and shows a price of $1.50. All identification on hone is on back. It is interesting that the text on back has a double strike (for lack of better terminology) on the ETT in the name.

They also made rubber-bonded abrasive grinding wheels. Does the razor hone look rubber-bonded, too?

WARNING: the link has a somewhat "racy" picture on the page (Swamsauger Lake). Well... racy for 1941; maybe...

The Bickett Razor Hone No 6 C is stamped on the green box with separate set of Bickett, Watertown, Wisconsin, instructions. The 3 inch x 1/2 inch x 2 inch hone is in excellent condition and is embossed "Sunset Ebony Dry Hone" on the side of the hone.

       

Watertown Daily Times, Watertown, WI, Saturday, June 26, 1954, Centennial Edition

Businessmen Purchased Pan-American Rubber Co., Started Bickett Firm Here

The rubber business in Watertown dates back to 1918 when a group of Watertown businessmen purchased controlling interest in the Pan-American Rubber Co., which had been operating in South Milwaukee, manufacturing a sponge rubber tube filler. After severing control of the company, the businessmen purchased a building at 600 South First Street in Watertown and moved the equipment from South Milwaukee to Watertown. The Pan-American Rubber Co. experienced considerable difficulty in disposing of its product; also, had some trouble in manufacturing sponge rubber fillers for the larger size tires, and as the result operations were not successful and profitable. In the fall of 1920 the group arranged for L. M. Bickett to come out to Watertown and, if possible give them some advice regarding the solving of their problems. At that time a meeting of all the stockholders was held to discuss the situation and to listen to the suggestions made by Mr. Bickett. After reviewing the entire situation Mr. Bickett suggested that they discontinue manufacture of the sponge rubber tire fillers and convert the factory into mechanical rubber goods, for which there was a great demand and orders could be secured without sales expense. After several conferences it was decided to liquidate the Pan-American Rubber Co. and to organize a new mechanical rubber goods company, and although L. M. Bickett was at that time employed by the Rubtex Products Corp., he agreed to resign and accept a position with the new corporation to be organized, and accordingly, in April of 1921 the Bickett Rubber Products Corp. was organized, the Pan-American Rubber Co. was liquidated and immediately thereafter the newly organized Bickett Rubber Products Corp. started operations.

Three Still Living

The following is a complete list of all the original incorporators of the Bickett Rubber Products Corp., and all, excepting three of the gentlemen listed, have passed on: L. M. Bickett, R. A. Cebell, Charles Feisst, R. J. Hoge, E. J. Hoermann, Dan Kusel, Louis H. Kusel, Max G. Kusel, A. F. Mayer, Fred Saxmann, Edward L. Schempf, W. S. Siebert, Herman Wertheimer, O. C. Wertheimer and G. Pritzlaff. Of this group Mr. Bickett, Mr. Hoge and Dan Kusel, are the men still living. Due to the fact that the equipment used by the Pan-American Rubber Co. was not suitable for the manufacture of mechanical rubber goods it was necessary to purchase approximately $100,000 worth of new equipment, and this was accordingly done and installed within 12 or 18 months after incorporation. In order to get into production as soon as possible, while developing the mechanical rubber goods business, the company secured contracts from a number of chain store organizations for stair treads and rubber heels, and within three years time the company achieved the honor of being the largest manufacturer of stair treads in the United States. As mechanical rubber goods orders were received the volume of business increased and profitable operations resulted.

Operations Moved

In 1931 the Bickett Rubber Corp. received a proposition from a group of citizens in Anderson, Ind., to transfer the business to Anderson, Ind., and in view of the fact that 80 per cent of the company's business was in the eastern states, which could better be served from Anderson, Ind., than Watertown. The offer made was accepted and in August, 1931, operations were discontinued in Watertown and removal of the equipment was made to Anderson. Unfortunately, in October, 1931, the bank at Anderson which had undertaken the financing of the transfer and had agreed to invest $100,000 in the Anderson organization, was forced to close, and as the result the Wisconsin corporation lost all of the equipment, finished goods, raw materials and current assets which had been transferred to Anderson. It was the plan of the Indiana stockholders to operate the rubber business at Anderson just as soon as it was possible for them to raise the capital and reopen their bank; however, under such a plan the Wisconsin stockholders would have lost their entire investment, although in their plans for the reopening of the Anderson factory Mr. Bickett was to remain at Anderson, he refused to do so and instead took legal steps to secure the release of the buildings and equipment at Watertown so that operations at Watertown could be resumed. In order to secure the release of the assets at Watertown Mr. Bickett personally had to assume obligations of approximately $73,000, and in addition it was necessary to borrow from the Falk Corporation of Milwaukee $17,000 with which to reopen the Watertown plant and resume production. Approximately $14,000 of the borrowed $17,000 was expended for equipment to replace the most essential part of the equipment, which had been transferred to Anderson, leaving less than $3,000 as working capital for the newly organized L. M. Bickett Company which was incorporated in April, 1932.

Stock Exchanged

Although it was deemed advisable and planned to continue operations under the original charter issued to the Bickett Rubber Products Corp. and using the same name, unfortunately this was not allowed and it was necessary to organize a new corporation. However, stock in the new corporation was exchanged for stock in the old corporation held by the original stockholders and not one of them was called on to contribute $1 to the new L. M. Bickett Company. Starting operations in the spring of 1932 was extremely difficult because at that time and for two or three years thereafter the entire country suffered from a severe depression, and this resulted in a great handicap to the company. However, resulting from the goodwill established under the name of the old corporation, production was started and increased continuously and within three or four years time the production equaled production established by the old corporation.

In 1934 L. M. Bickett secured a patent on a new and greatly improved type of seat cushion. Although he was offered $100,000 for this patent three days after it was issued it was assigned to the L. M. Bickett Company at a total cost of $258, which represented the lawyers' fees in securing the patent. The trade accepted the new ventilated type of cushion, which was named “Respirator”, and within five years time was being sold and used in approximately 45 foreign countries. This business continued to increase until the war in December, 1941, at which time the government prohibited the use of rubber in seat cushions and all other non-essential products reserving everything or wartime needs. The rubber restraining order continued until the conclusion of the war in 1945. In order to keep the factory in operation essential war orders were secured and the factory operated approximately 18 hours per day during the years 1944 and 1945. At the conclusion of World War II all restrictions on rubber were removed and the company resumed production on civilian products and there has been no interference with production since the war ended and the company has been in continuous profitable production ever since.

Plant Enlarged

In 1942, and continuing up through 1946, additional buildings were constructed and additional equipment was installed - all from profits resulting from operations, and as the result the plant is now completely equipped to an even greater extent than it was before the transfer to Anderson, Ind. Since 1932, after the reorganization and with a starting working capital of less than $3.000, the L. M. Bickett Company has transacted up to December, 1953, a grand total of $3,188,965 of business. Earnings have been sufficient to pay dividends to all stock­holders, and the company has an established trade extending from coast to coast with approximately 3,000 customers located in practically every large city in the United States. Unfortunately, the foreign business which had been created during the years 1935 to 1941 has been wiped out due to restrictions in the various foreign countries which prohibit the importation of non-essential products, the difference in exchange resulting from World War II and economic conditions which still prevail in a great many of these countries. Operating as the Bickett Rubber Products Corp. from 1921 to 1931 and as the L. M. Bickett Company from 1932 up to date, the company has never had an idle period and continuous operation has been the rule. It might be stated that this situation is because of the diversified nature of the products manufactured, also the possibility of adding additional lines whenever any particular line indicates a slack period. Within six years after the organization of the L. M. Bickett Company all the obligations which had been assumed in the separation from the Indiana corporation had been paid, the Falk Corporation loan was repaid and occasionally new equipment is installed which automatically increases our production. Acknowledgment is made by Mr. Bickett to the original stock­holders and incorporators of the Bickett Rubber Products Corp. for their assistance in creating a new industry in Watertown, which because of the fact that it was one hundred per cent locally owned has been a contributing factor to the industrial prosperity of Watertown for the past 33 years.

Watertown Daily Times, Watertown, WI, Saturday, June 26, 1954, Centennial Edition

Eastern Star Organization Is in Its 61st Year Now

Sixty-one years ago the Watertown Chapter No. 44, Order of the Eastern Star was organized. The first meeting was held Feb. 23, 1893 at which time the following officers were elected: Carrie Sleeper, worthy matron; William Rohr, worthy patron; Ema Eaton, association matron; Amanda Fuehrman, treasurer; Tillie Valerius, secretary; E. Gar­dener, conductress; Augusta Schmutzler, associate conductress; Stella Jossi, Ada; Marie Sproes­esr, Ruth; Elizabeth Solliday, Electa; Anne Wadleigh, Esther; Helen May, Martha; Shara Bradbury, chaplain; Jennie Thorne, warder; Ella Brickell, organist; William Hawkins, sentinel.

56 Charter Members

Of the 56 charter members of the chapter, three are still living. They are John Seager, Anna Wadleigh, and Stella J. Cebell. Others listed as charter members were D. O. Bradbury, Mary Bradbury, Ella Brickell, A. E. Calhoun, Mary Calhoun, George Cooley, Rachael E. Davies, F. M. Eaton, Dudley Fitzgerald, Rocena Fitzgerald, Charles Fuermann, Amanda Fuermann, Charles Gardner, Emma Gardner, William Humphrey, William N. Hawkins, Annie Harrison, Theodore Huber, Jacob Jossi, Elizabeth Jossi, William H. Rohr, Samuel Kussel, Ida Kussel, Edward May, Helena May, A. Solliday, Elizabeth Solliday, Ferd. Schmutzler, Augusta Schmutzler, W. D. Sproesser, Marie Sproesser, William Sleight, Aminda Sleight, Jennie Seager, S. R. Sleeper, Carrie Sleeper, Viola Stahl, David Schwab, John Throne, N. P. Valerius, Tillie Valerius, Paul Valerius, Bertha Valerius, Frank Weber, Augusta Weber, W. Wadleigh, Sarah Webb, O. H. Will, George Weber and Emilie Weber. Past grand officers include. Lavisa Collins, grand sentinel, who served in 1915; L. J. Marsh, who acted as grand sentinel in 1943, grand associate patron, 1944, grand patron, 1945, and trustee from 1945 to 1953; Elsie Joseph, grand Rep. of Utah, 1936; Evelyn Krietzman, Rep. of Oregon, 1940, and Lena Cross, Rep. of Arkansas, 1945.

Past Matrons

Past patrons, who have served the chapter, include: Carrie Sleeper - 1893-94-95; Emma Eaton - 1896-97; Marie Sproesser - 1898; Stell Cebell - 1899; Jen­nie Seager - 1900-01; Ametia Huber -1902; Julia Rathbourne - 1903; Artie Mendenhall - 1904-05; Elizabeth Henrich - 1906-07-08; Anna Krueger - 1909-10-11; Mary Sabin - 1912-13; Lavisa Collins - 1914-15, Florence Kraemer -1916; Meta Calhoun - 1917-18: Anna Schaufler - 1919; Mary Weigel - 1920; Elizabeth Kelly - 1921-22; Maude Moen - 1923; Ethel Krueger - 1924-25; Lydia Keel - 1926; Elsa Rose - 1927; Gertrude Bickett - 1928; Laura Harte – 1929; Edna Voss - 1930-31; Anna Kuenzi - 1932; Anna Kleineschay - 1933; Inez Richards - 1934; Alice Alt - 1935; Elsie Joseph - 1936; Annie Zick - 1937; Vivian Hansen - 1938; Marie Grossert - 1939; Evelyn Kreitzman - 1940; Irene Roth - 1941; Loda Carlson - 1942; Lorina Starkey - 1943; Zita Landsverk - 1944; Olga Lehtoma - 1945; Lena Cross - 1946; Ruth Moser - 1947; Milderd Nack - 1948; Ella Birk­holz - 1949; Mabel Breithaupt -1950; Ruby Pugh - 1951; Doris Koerner - 1952; Kathleen Killian - 1953.

Past Patrons

Past patrons include the following: William Rohr - 1893-94; Frank Eaton - 1895-1900, 1905-06; Ferdinand Schmutzler – 1896 -18­98, 1901-1903, 1908-1910; John Seager - 1899, 1904; Arthur Mulberger - 1907; William Collins - 1911-12; William Thomas - 1913; William Richard - 1914; Frank Burke - 1915-17; E. T. Hayhurst - 1913; J. B. Atkinson - 1918-19; John Calhoun –­ 1920, 1924; Carl Meckes - 1921; C. L. VanderBie - 1922-23; Frank Slight -1925; Joseph Rhodes - 1926-27-28; William Kleineschay - 1929-30; Fred Alt - 1931-32-33-34; William Zick - 1935; P. D. Joseph - 1936; Theodore Zick - 1937; Oscar Hansen - 1938; Oscar Carlson - 1939; Frank Johnston – 1940, 1950; Herbert Smith - 1941; Victor Nowack - 1942; Leonard J. Marsh - 1943; William E. Radke - 1944; Morris Cross - 1945; U. R. Hagman - 1946; Erwin Keepman - 1947; Herbert Birkholtz - 1948-49; Milo Ray Shackley - 1951; Gerald Barlow - 1952; Theodore Koerner - 1953.

In February of 1916 a fire destroyed the Masonic Temple, after which Star meetings were held in the homes of members, the Knights of Columbus Hall and the Knights of Pythias Hall. The chapter, which is an auxiliary of the Masonic order, is a welfare organization and as such is engaged in welfare work.

Current Membership

The current membership of the chapter totals 238. Present officers are: LaDorna Mae Frish, worthy matron; William G. Frisch, worthy patron; Genevieve Behlke, association matron; Milo Ray Shackley, association patron; Elsie Joseph, secretary; Loda Carlson, treasurer; Elsa Peck, conductress; Helen Osterhout,  associate conductress; Esther Flater, chaplain; Alice Dauer, marshal; Clara Reinhard, organist; Elizabeth Johnson, Adah; Aethol Stockli, Ruth; Joan Killian, Esther; Marian Carlson, Martha; Marilyn Birkholz, Electa; Shirey Hille, warder; Mark Osterhout, sentinel, and Grace Flath, soloist.

Past Matrons Club

The Past Matrons Club of the Watertown chapter, Order of Eastern Star was organized Sept. 16, 1938 when a meeting of all past matrons was held at the home of Laura Harte. Elizabeth Kelly acted as chairman at the meeting of organization. The objectives of the club are social and to aid in any altruistic endeavors promoted by the Watertown Star Chapter. First officers were Ann Miller, president, and Gertrude Bickett, secretary-treasurer. The following became charter members: Gertrude Bickett, Meta Calhoun, Laura Harte, Elsie Joseph, Lydia Kiel, Elizabeth Kelly, Ann Kleineschay, Ethel Krueger, Ann Kuenzi, Ann Miller, Maud Moen, Elsa Rose, Ann Zick, Inez Richards and Vivian Hanson. The club, which meets on the first Monday of the month with the exception of July and August, has a membership of 23. Hostesses entertain in alphabetical order.