People & Places in Our History

People and Places in Our History. . , Kathryn M. Burns , "There are no words that can ever begin to describe the depth and meaning of the years that Kitty helped serve multiple patients in the Watertown and Waconia area. Kitty was truly a gracious, caring, and loving unselfish person. Throughout all the years of growth and development, trial and hardships... Kitty was the single continuing thread that allowed all of these things to happen. I hope all fully realize the medical and personal legacy that Kitty leaves." , Dr. John W. Clarke wrote these words shortly after Kitty Burns, his clinic nurse, died., Dr. Edwin E. Shrader , "Pioneer physician of the Watertown Community." , 1862-1950 , Dr. Shrader built the first hospital in Watertown that later became known as the Bratholdt Hospital formerly located on Angel Ave. He received his M.D. diploma from the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with high honors. He came directly to Watertown in 1893 to begin his practice. In 1901 he went to Europe to specialize to better prepare himself for his growing and splendid practice in our city., Dr. James W. Bratholdt , 1912-1974 , Dr. Bratholdt graduated from medical school at the U of M in 1939 and came to Watertown in 1941. He purchased the hospital after World War II began and in 1953 he built a clinic. He was instrumental in working for the Watertown Community Hospital which opened in 1958 and donated his equipment to it. He also was active in the community and served on the Watertown Board of Education., Dr. Harry A. Halgren , 1870-1934 , Dr. Halgren first attended the Minnesota Institute of Pharmacy and later took charge of his father's drug store in Watertown. He attended medical school at the U of M specializing in surgery and graduated in 1897. He became one of the leading physicians of the Northwest. In 1905 Dr. Halgren built the Cottage Hospital formerly located on Westminster Ave. When he retired after 35 years, he turned his practice over to Dr. Richard E. Pogue. , Dr. Richard E. Pogue , 1905-1958 , Dr. Pogue graduated from Loma Linda Medical School (California) in 1933 and came directly to Watertown to assume Dr. Halgren's practice. He purchased all but one corner lot of the town block on which the hospital stood. He was recognized by his peers as an outstanding physician and surgeon and was given operating privileges at the top hospitals in Minneapolis., Claude C. Teas (1881-1960) , Publisher of the Carver County News from 1898 to 1952. At age 17, after the death of his father, Claude took over the newspaper his dad owned. He quit school, crossed baseball off his list, and pitched in to run the paper. "I didn't really know anything," said Claude. "If it hadn't been for an old friend of Dad's , a Civil War Veteran , we never would have gotten by." In 1951 when Watertown won the Class A Baseball Championship, finally Claude was able to combine his love for baseball with his work., History of the Watertown Schools , 1868 . First frame school , William P. Buck . First paid teacher , William Johnson . First janitor and general maintenance keeper, 1911 . First 4-year graduates , Curtis Schlefke, William Crolley, Hannah Sanquist, Ethel St. John, Mabel Pierson, 1944 . Associate Workers , Russell Johnson, janitor , Clarence Speckel, owner first Watertown bus Co. , George Mueller, bus driver , Stanford Stewart Lenz, bus driver , [timeline across bottom of marker] , . 1887 First issue of Carver County News printed , . 1898 Watertown Dray Line owned by J.W. Speckel , . 1915 First train
. 1934 First village hall , . 1939 Watertown library organized