Page 23 - The History of Watertown Savings Bank_Neat

Albert Bushnell was a member of the first Mr. Woolworth stayed for a time, “learning
WSB board of trustees, and served as the bank’s the ropes” from Mr. Bushnell after having
Albert Bushnell president from 1905 until his death in 1907. At worked previously for another merchant. After
Watertown Savings Bank that time he was also serving on the Watertown leaving his employment at the A. Bushnell
Co., Mr. Woolworth went on to open his own
National Bank board of trustees.
President Mr Bushnell, a Civil War veteran, had enlisted chain store – F.W. Woolworth, with a limited
1905 - 1907 in Company “B” of the 94 New York Volunteers pricing “five and dime” concept that later became
th
in 1861. After his discharge toward the end of internationally known.
the war, he formed a partnership with his brother, It would be many years later, in 1921, that WSB
Jerome, to open a dry goods and clothing store on officers would negotiate a lease to relocate their
Public Square. Their business operated for several original office into the new Woolworth Building
years, but their partnership was later dissolved. that had been established across the street.
For more than 30 years, Mr. Bushnell owned
and operated a successful merchant business in
downtown Watertown, known as the A. Bushnell
Company. He sold a variety of goods, including
materials for ladies dresses (at that time most
women would purchase the material, and have
a seamstress come to their homes, or make the
clothes themselves).
Mr. Bushnell also carried large furnishings,
such as iron beds complete with mattresses and
box springs. He catered to the many needs of city
residents, providing them with a place to shop
where they could find just about anything on the
shelves.

At one time, Mr. Bushnell employed a Albert Bushnell’s home, which he built in 1876, was originally
young man from Great Bend named Frank W. known as 20 Sterling Street, listed in his obituary as 29 Sterling
Woolworth, who was paid a weekly salary as he Street, and today known as 220 Sterling Street (shown in a photo
taken for Watertown City Tax Assessor’s office in 1957). The
gained experience in the growing retail business. building is now the home of the Schwerzmann and Wise Law Firm.

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