Trachte History - 1900s

Trachte brothers, George, age 21, and Arthur, age 19, travel from Watertown, WI to Madison, WI to pursue work. Both have become experienced apprentices to the tinsmith trade. At the age of 14 and 16, respectively, George and Arthur began to learn the trade of "tinner".

With a capital investment of $200, the Trachte brothers rent 600 sq. ft. of space at 233-235 King Street and open Trachte Brothers Sheet-Metal Workers. Their first order is for $10 worth of dippers and pans from Madison Candy Company. The city directory lists the brothers as being Madison's youngest businessmen.

Trachte Brothers Co. moves to a larger space at Bedford and West Washington Ave. near the Illinois Central Depot.