The Waterloo Times Friday Jul 16, 1915 SIXTY YEARS A BARBER – STILL SHAVING Tuesday it was sixty years that Mr. Philip Bremser, our barber on Main street, entered as an apprentice at the barber business under Franz Simon Batteiger in the building at present occupied by his shop. This was in 1855. After serving here for 13 months, Mr. Bremser went to St. Louis and served three years with Mr. Ernst Schenck, who came from the same town in Germany as Wm. Erd, Sr., deceased and Conrad, Philip and Charles Rick. On February 13, 1859, he opened a shop here, and between July 15, 1855, until June 6, 1915, he missed but one Sunday that did not find him at his accustomed place in his shop, and this was caused by illness. The figure 13 played a remarkable part in Mr. Bremser’s life. He was 13 years of age when he started to learn his trade. On July 13 he entered his apprenticeship. He worked 13 months for his first boss. After receiving three years in St. Louis he came back to Waterloo and opened a shop of his own Feb. 13, 1859. He has witnessed the rise and fall of just 13 opponents in business since coming here and from all appearances is good for 13 years more. Three of his children were born on the 13th of the month and his residence is numbered 113. He still shaves with a hand as light as a pick-pocket’s and is ready to trim your hair on the slightest provocation, providing you have the price. He is remarkably well preserved for one of his years and is one of the best posted men in this city. Don’t tell him that the figure 13 is unlucky, you’ll get an argument right there and then.