Frederick C Wilkowski 1852-1923
Wilhelmina Schroeder Wilkowski 1855-1942
Frederick C. Wilkowski, for many years a well known figure in this community and one of Watertown's best known citizens, died at his home, 822 Main Street, this morning at 9 o'clock.
Mr. Wilkowski had been in ill health for the past year suffering from septic bronchitis but his death was due to a sudden heart attack which he suffered while sitting in a chair at his home shortly after he had partaken of his breakfast.
Mr. Wilkowski passed away possessed of his complete mental faculties and only a short time before the end he had been shaved by a barber and had finished his breakfast when almost without warning he passed away.
Mr. Wilkowski was born in Bromberg, province of Posen, on January 4, 1862 and came here with his parents in 1855 and had since been a resident of this city.
In 1876, on May 12, he was married to Minnie Schroeder of this city who with four children survive. The children are Mrs. Rose Torstenssen of Landskorna, Sweden, Carl Wilkowski, this city, Mrs. Emma Haes, Metropolis, Ill., and Mrs. Gertrude Renk, Waterloo, Iowa. Besides, one sister, Otillie Buending of this city and one brother, William Wilkowski, San Diego, Cal., survive, as do six grandchildren and Mr. Wilkowski's stepfather, Fred Kuehl.
Mr. Wilkowski rose to a successful business career by his own efforts, and during his long business career had helped materially in the industrial growth of Watertown. A man of strict probity, fine character and withal possessed of a genial disposition, he made many friends, socially and among his business associates. By strict attention to business affairs he built up a large trade throughout this section of the country, a tribute to the excellence and honesty of the products of his factory.
Coming to Watertown when the city was little more than a village, he spent the greater share of his life here and was most respected of its citizens. The firm of Wilkowski Bros. was established in 1882 by Frederick and William Wilkowski. Ten years later he succeeded to entire control and personally superintended the operations of the plant. Two years ago he retired from active business and his son, Carl Wilkowski, succeeded him as head of the firm.
When ten years of age, Mr. Wilkowski began an apprenticeship in a cigar factory and learned the details of the business thoroughly, being considered one of the best judges of tobacco in this section of the country.
Mr. Wilkowski was an ardent student of nature and was well posted on plant life of which he made a study for many years. He was a man well versed on current topics and a student who had a faculty of retaining the knowledge thus obtained.
He was a man greatly devoted to his home and family. Possessed of a kindly nature he spread geniality wherever he went and his charities were many but never ostentatious. His nature was of the kind that make and keep friends and the good will of the man was always apparent whether in business dealings or in his social life.
Mr. Wilkowski never aspired to a public or political life although he was well capable to enter such fields and he was often urged to do so. He was a member of the Plattdeutscher Verein.
The funeral will take place Tuesday afternoon from the home at 2 o'clock and burial will be in the family lot at Oak Hill cemetery. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so by calling at the residence any time up to the hour of the funeral. The funeral services will be private.
Watertown Daily Times, Dec 1, 1923
Mrs. Wilkowski, Pioneer Family Member, is Dead
Widow of Widely Known Cigar Manufacturer Stricken Today
Mrs. Wilhelmina Wilkowski, 87, of 211 South Sixth street, died in her sleep at St. Mary's Hospital at 12:40 o'clock this morning. She had been a patient at the hospital five days and was taken there following a stroke. She was the widow of Frederick C. Wilkowski, for many years, one of the leading cigar manufacturers in this community.
Born in Watertown on Oct. 17, 1855, her maiden name was Wilhelmina Schroeder. Her parents who were the late Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Schroeder, came here as bride and groom from Cleveland in 1815 and became one of the pioneer families of this region. Mrs Wilkowski was the last surviving member of a family of 11 children. She married Mr. Wilkowski on May 12, 1876. He died here on Dec. 1, 1923.
She grew up in one of the pioneer homes here under pioneer conditions and throughout her life, had many interesting stories to tell about early Watertown. Her father was one of the prominent men of his time and was the founder of what is now Oak Hill Cemetery. He owned the property and it was for many years known as Schroeder's cemetery. He was an undertaker here many years and erected the stone building which now houses the Schmutzler furniture store.
Surviving Mrs. Wilkowski are four children, including three daughters, Mrs Rose Torstensson, Milwaukee, Mrs. Emma Hayes, Toulon, Ill., and Mrs Gertrude Jones, Conrad In., and one son, Carl L. Wilkowski, this city. There are six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Mrs. Wilkowski was a woman of great charitable instincts. She was philanthropic and never overlooked an opportunity to extend a kindness or give help or aid to someone less fortunate. She possessed a fine character and had many excellent traits that endeared her to her circle of friends. She was a woman of spirit and despite her advanced years took a great interest in the events of the daily life about her. She was a woman of boundless energy and her passing removes one of the city's old residents who watched Watertown grow from a pioneer settlement to a modern city. She loved Watertown and its people and was so long a part of its daily life that few of her older friends of an earlier day remained in her circle in recent years.
The funeral of Mrs. Wilkowski will take place Tuesday at 2 p.m. with services at the Schmutzler funeral home, the Rev H. W. T. Pallett, rector of St. Paul's church officiating. Interment will be in the family lot in Oak Hill cemetery.
Friends may call at the Schmutzler funeral home Monday afternoon and evening and Tuesday up to the time of the funeral to pay their respects.
Watertown Daily Times, Dec 19, 1942
Mr. Wilkowski had been in ill health for the past year suffering from septic bronchitis but his death was due to a sudden heart attack which he suffered while sitting in a chair at his home shortly after he had partaken of his breakfast.
Mr. Wilkowski passed away possessed of his complete mental faculties and only a short time before the end he had been shaved by a barber and had finished his breakfast when almost without warning he passed away.
Mr. Wilkowski was born in Bromberg, province of Posen, on January 4, 1862 and came here with his parents in 1855 and had since been a resident of this city.
In 1876, on May 12, he was married to Minnie Schroeder of this city who with four children survive. The children are Mrs. Rose Torstenssen of Landskorna, Sweden, Carl Wilkowski, this city, Mrs. Emma Haes, Metropolis, Ill., and Mrs. Gertrude Renk, Waterloo, Iowa. Besides, one sister, Otillie Buending of this city and one brother, William Wilkowski, San Diego, Cal., survive, as do six grandchildren and Mr. Wilkowski's stepfather, Fred Kuehl.
Mr. Wilkowski rose to a successful business career by his own efforts, and during his long business career had helped materially in the industrial growth of Watertown. A man of strict probity, fine character and withal possessed of a genial disposition, he made many friends, socially and among his business associates. By strict attention to business affairs he built up a large trade throughout this section of the country, a tribute to the excellence and honesty of the products of his factory.
Coming to Watertown when the city was little more than a village, he spent the greater share of his life here and was most respected of its citizens. The firm of Wilkowski Bros. was established in 1882 by Frederick and William Wilkowski. Ten years later he succeeded to entire control and personally superintended the operations of the plant. Two years ago he retired from active business and his son, Carl Wilkowski, succeeded him as head of the firm.
When ten years of age, Mr. Wilkowski began an apprenticeship in a cigar factory and learned the details of the business thoroughly, being considered one of the best judges of tobacco in this section of the country.
Mr. Wilkowski was an ardent student of nature and was well posted on plant life of which he made a study for many years. He was a man well versed on current topics and a student who had a faculty of retaining the knowledge thus obtained.
He was a man greatly devoted to his home and family. Possessed of a kindly nature he spread geniality wherever he went and his charities were many but never ostentatious. His nature was of the kind that make and keep friends and the good will of the man was always apparent whether in business dealings or in his social life.
Mr. Wilkowski never aspired to a public or political life although he was well capable to enter such fields and he was often urged to do so. He was a member of the Plattdeutscher Verein.
The funeral will take place Tuesday afternoon from the home at 2 o'clock and burial will be in the family lot at Oak Hill cemetery. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so by calling at the residence any time up to the hour of the funeral. The funeral services will be private.
Watertown Daily Times, Dec 1, 1923
Mrs. Wilkowski, Pioneer Family Member, is Dead
Widow of Widely Known Cigar Manufacturer Stricken Today
Mrs. Wilhelmina Wilkowski, 87, of 211 South Sixth street, died in her sleep at St. Mary's Hospital at 12:40 o'clock this morning. She had been a patient at the hospital five days and was taken there following a stroke. She was the widow of Frederick C. Wilkowski, for many years, one of the leading cigar manufacturers in this community.
Born in Watertown on Oct. 17, 1855, her maiden name was Wilhelmina Schroeder. Her parents who were the late Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Schroeder, came here as bride and groom from Cleveland in 1815 and became one of the pioneer families of this region. Mrs Wilkowski was the last surviving member of a family of 11 children. She married Mr. Wilkowski on May 12, 1876. He died here on Dec. 1, 1923.
She grew up in one of the pioneer homes here under pioneer conditions and throughout her life, had many interesting stories to tell about early Watertown. Her father was one of the prominent men of his time and was the founder of what is now Oak Hill Cemetery. He owned the property and it was for many years known as Schroeder's cemetery. He was an undertaker here many years and erected the stone building which now houses the Schmutzler furniture store.
Surviving Mrs. Wilkowski are four children, including three daughters, Mrs Rose Torstensson, Milwaukee, Mrs. Emma Hayes, Toulon, Ill., and Mrs Gertrude Jones, Conrad In., and one son, Carl L. Wilkowski, this city. There are six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Mrs. Wilkowski was a woman of great charitable instincts. She was philanthropic and never overlooked an opportunity to extend a kindness or give help or aid to someone less fortunate. She possessed a fine character and had many excellent traits that endeared her to her circle of friends. She was a woman of spirit and despite her advanced years took a great interest in the events of the daily life about her. She was a woman of boundless energy and her passing removes one of the city's old residents who watched Watertown grow from a pioneer settlement to a modern city. She loved Watertown and its people and was so long a part of its daily life that few of her older friends of an earlier day remained in her circle in recent years.
The funeral of Mrs. Wilkowski will take place Tuesday at 2 p.m. with services at the Schmutzler funeral home, the Rev H. W. T. Pallett, rector of St. Paul's church officiating. Interment will be in the family lot in Oak Hill cemetery.
Friends may call at the Schmutzler funeral home Monday afternoon and evening and Tuesday up to the time of the funeral to pay their respects.
Watertown Daily Times, Dec 19, 1942