Business, A-G

Business, H-O

Peirce, Jonathan L., 1799-1875. Family papers, 1810-1947. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection BF The Jonathan L. Peirce papers include correspondence and business papers of Jonathan L. Peirce, Jonathan Franklin Peirce, and Franklin Lovering Peirce, 1810-1918. Jonathan L. Peirce's letters (1820s-1870s) are chiefly to his sister, Nancy Peirce Haynes, in regard to her education in New England during the years, 1827-1833; his father, Moses Peirce; and his brother, also Moses Peirce, relating to real estate and business matters.

The collection also contains letters to Angelina Moulton Peirce from her parents, the N. T. Moultons; and her sister and brothers, Bell, John, and Thayer. There are also letters during the 1860s and 1870s from Jonathan L. Peirce and his wife to their son, Jonathan Franklin Peirce, while he was attending Beloit College. Jonathan Franklin Peirce received many letters from his sisters, Hannah and Julia, particularly concerning his school work and education. The miscellaneous unsorted business papers include bills, indentures, and deeds. The school papers of Nancy Peirce Haynes and Angelina Moulton Peirce consist of compositions, poems, and copy books of the period 1823-1833, and those of Jonathan Franklin Peirce are from his four years at Beloit College, 1862-1866. Finding aid available in the Archives.

People's Savings Bank (Sheboygan, Wis.).

Court exhibit, 1932.

Sheboygan Small Series 1

An audit report for the period 1 February to 31 December 1932, giving such information as the names of the corporators, trustees, and officers; and statements regarding investments and financial condition. Arranged by type of report.

Phoenix Hosiery Company. Records, 1897-1996. UWM Manuscript Collection 89 Records, mostly dating from the 1950s, of the Phoenix Hosiery Company, which was located in Milwaukee. The collection includes advertising and promotional materials; annual reports; director's reports and board of director's minutes; photographs, mainly documenting hosiery production; an anniversary booklet containing historical information about the Milwaukee Branch of the American Federation of Hosiery Works; and a publicity scrapbook, largely consisting of newspaper clippings.

The collection also contains a detailed history of the company (compiled in 1996) which includes information about the company's finances, management, marketing, competition, production, and labor relations. Also found in the collection are hosiery boxes and nylon canisters, as well as hosiery color samples, and a number of other advertising/promotional items. Information about the sale of the company to the Kayser-Roth Corporation in 1959 is also included. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Plankinton Bank (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Records, 1866-1907.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection K
Includes correspondence (1866-1907); ledgers, registers, and journals (1887-1902) of the bank and its two presidents, John Plankinton and Frederick T. Day, documenting the operations of the bank and its collapse in 1893 after the failure of loans to Frank A. Lappen & Company; and testimony and legal papers of the bank's assignees. The assignees records include assignments, court testimony, and other legal papers relating to litigation in Milwaukee County circuit court concerning the affairs of the bank. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Plymouth Exchange Bank (Sheboygan County, Wis.).

Court exhibit, 1931-1938.

Sheboygan Small Series 3

Includes minutes of trustees, 1931-1938, and a volume containing correspondence between the bank's directors and the state banking commissioner in May 1936. Arranged by type of record and then chronologically.

Preusser, Christian, 1826-1899.

Jacob and Christian Preusser Papers, 1804-1886.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection AN

Papers of Jacob and Christian Preusser, including an inventory of property of Jacob Preusser (in German, 1804-1845), a mechanic; day book of Christian Preusser (in English, 1859-1886), a jeweler and watchmaker; and correspondence and miscellaneous papers of Jacob Preusser (in German, 1830-1850). Finding aid available in the Archives.

Prime Manufacturing Company (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1933-1947. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 109 Records of a Milwaukee firm, documenting the electric fence division of the company, primarily from 1934-1942, which was involved in the manufacture of the Prime Electric Fence Controller (originally known as the Gengler Electric Fence).

The records mainly consist of advertising and sales promotional literature such as bulletins, catalogs, circulars, layouts, a merchandising program, newsletters, and a ready-reference encyclopedia. The incoming correspondence (1935-1939) deals with consumer reaction to the product. Sales records include consumer surveys, price lists, and sales literature for dealers. Also contains informational files on electric fences, their safety and use for various animals, and an Underwriters' Laboratory study of the Prime Fence Controller. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Ross, William T., 1888-1951.

Papers, 1914-1980.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 111 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 55

Fragmentary papers of a Milwaukee, Wisconsin businessman, civic leader, and tuberculosis health care activist. Includes biographical information and microfilmed clippings; correspondence; portraits and other photographs; articles and versions of his autobiography, concerning his determined recovery from tuberculosis; and subject files concerning his involvement in state and national tuberculosis associations, and the interest of his widow in the Will Ross Medal and other memorials to her husband. Portions of this collection are available only on microfilm.

The correspondence includes examples of the monthly mimeographed letters which he sent to friends and business associates between 1926 and 1951. The collection includes a few examples of early letters (ca. 1917-1923) that he sent to his mail order customers concerning his hospital supply firm, Will Ross, Inc., which was established while Ross was still a patient in a tuberculosis sanitarium. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Savings Safety Bank (Sheboygan County, Wis.).

Court exhibit, 1927.

Sheboygan Small Series 2

Organization and incorporation record book containing subscription lists, the constitution and by-laws, stockholder's ledger, and similar matters.

Schutte, Henry A.

Account book, 1895-1896.

Milwaukee Small Collection 12

Account book kept by a harness maker in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Sevilla, Arnoldo.

Milwaukee Mexican-Americans interviews, 1974-1977.

Milwaukee Small Collection 174, Tapes 829A, 852A-861A

Interviews (1974-1977) with eleven Milwaukee, Wisconsin residents concerning the history of Mexican-Americans in Milwaukee. Conducted in Spanish and English by Sevilla, a Milwaukee resident doing private research, the interviews include much general biographical information on the interviewees as well. Includes documents, summaries and abstracts concerning the interviews, and 25 audio cassette tapes of interview material. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Sheboygan County Mutual Savings Bank (Wis.).

Court exhibit, 1925-1936.

Sheboygan Series 5

Includes organization and incorporation records, minutes of director's meetings and correspondence for 1925-1933; a signature book containing signatures, addresses, occupations, and pass book numbers of depositors; and two audit reports. Arranged by type of record and then chronologically.

Sherman Park Community Association (Milwaukee, Wis.). Office of the Executive Director.

Records, 1971-2000.

UWM Manuscript Collection 72

Records of Milwaukee's oldest and largest neighborhood group which document its involvement in economic and business development, residential improvement and diversification, bringing the arts to Sherman Park, and the effort to prevent the Park West Freeway from being built. The collection contains extensive information about the SPCA's attempts to end practices such as "red lining" (refusal to insure homes in certain neighborhoods) and blockbusting (scaring home owners into selling their homes) which were designed to prevent people of different color, beliefs, or sexual orientation from moving into an area. The records include numerous photographs of the Goblin Parade, a Halloween event for children; protest marches; Kwanzaa celebrations and many more activities. The collection also contains information about City West Arts (a committee of the SPCA dedicated to bringing the arts to the neighborhood), the Sherman Park News, and considerable information about surveys of Sherman Park, including actual surveys, data collection reports, documentation concerning the surveys, and final results. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Sherry, Edward Paddock, 1871-1941.

Sherry Family business papers, 1853-1961.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection EK

Papers document the business ventures of three generations of the Sherry family, containing information on more than twenty business concerns in the Park Falls, Milwaukee, and Neenah areas. Most thoroughly covered are the affairs of the Wisconsin Realty Company of Milwaukee, the Winnebago Realty Company of Neenah and Milwaukee, and the Flambeau Paper Company of Park Falls. All the firms apparently were centrally administered by the Sherry family and thus can be viewed as a single large enterprise rather than numerous small businesses. Most of the collection dates from 1898-1941 when Edward P. Sherry directed the family's interests.

The largest group of records documents Edward's running of the Wisconsin Realty Company, and its involvement in the building of the Flambeau Reservoir (now called the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage), and the development of dams and electric power along the Wolf River in Langlade County. Records prior to 1898 consist largely of land deeds, grants, and patents, with fragmentary correspondence and financial records. For the post-1940 period various types of records exist, but all are fragmentary. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Sholes, Charles C., 1816-1867.

Papers, 1843-1867.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection BS

Miscellaneous papers of a pioneer Wisconsin newspaperman, politician, and businessman. Most of the collection consists of letters to Sholes' wife Sarah, usually of a personal nature. Some of the letters dating 1853-1855 discuss meetings with Horace Greeley and Phineas T. Barnum; impressions of William Lloyd Garrison as a speaker; descriptions of New York museums, a spiritualist seance, and a reception given by Senator Charles Durkee. A letter dating 9 February 1854 describes a performance of Uncle Tom's Cabin at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C.

There are some references to Sholes' work in New York overseeing the printing and sale of railroad bonds; to his purchase of telegraph lines in Wisconsin; his activities as speaker of the Wisconsin state assembly; and to his brother Christopher. Also contains other miscellaneous letters, and photographs of Sholes and his wife. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Shoquist, Joseph William.

Papers, 1952-1985.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 145

Papers, mainly 1964-1985, of the managing editor of the Milwaukee Journal, and including papers of his predecessor, Arville Schaleben. Included are correspondence and inter-office memoranda concerning the day-to-day operations of the News Department and the development of policy. Also contains files on Shoquist's active participation in professional organizations such as the Accrediting Council of Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the Associated Press Managing Editors Association, and the Wisconsin Associated Press Association.

Many issues relating to the operation of the press, such as First Amendment rights, journalists' shield laws, ethics, and libel are represented. Other aspects of Milwaukee Journal operations which are covered include the library and the Madison and Washington, D.C. bureaus. Prominent correspondences include Harry Hill; Wallace Lemoe; Richard Leonard; Louis Lochner; Russell Lunch; Carl Riblet, Jr.; Joseph Zigman; and Foley & Lardner, the law firm which represented the Milwaukee Journal. Finding aid available in the Archives.

South Side Business Men's Club (Milwaukee, Wis.).

Records, 1937-1980.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 40 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 20

Records of a Milwaukee Polish American organization founded in 1936 to "protect, promote, and stimulate" business and civic life among the membership and the community, including minutes of the board of directors (1937-1980), biographies of club members, constitution and by-laws, membership rosters and applications, correspondence, and fragmentary financial records, a club history, and records of the Don Bosco High School Athletic Banquet, sponsored by the Club. There are several gaps in the run of minutes, which are on microfilm. The majority of the other records are from the 1950s. Finding aid available in the Archives.

State Bank of Haven (Sheboygan County, Wis.).

Court exhibit, 1932-1943.

Sheboygan Series 6

Includes minutes of the trustees and a general ledger, arranged by type of record and then chronologically.

State Bank of Sheboygan Falls (Wis.).

Court exhibit, 1910-1943.

Sheboygan Series 7

Includes minutes of the directors (1910-1933) and trustees (1933-1943), miscellaneous correspondence, court orders, and other papers. Arranged by type of record and then chronologically.

Stern, Henry, 1825-1903.

Autobiography, 1902.

Milwaukee Small Collection 62

Photostatic copy of an autobiography of a Milwaukee Jewish merchant who emigrated from Bavaria in 1848 and established a general merchandise business in Milwaukee in 1850; in German with an English translation. Deals primarly with Stern's childhood in Bavaria, his journey to the United States and Wisconsin, establishing his business and family matters.

Stevens, George C.

Letterbooks, 1858, 1871-1876.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection AH

Letterbooks containing transactions of a commercial grain merchant of Milwaukee, with incidental reference to his official duties while collector of customs at the port of Milwaukee (1871-1876). Finding aid available in the Archives.

Thien, Henry.

Papers, 1885.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection EH

Flour mill floor plans, flow charts, and machinery specifications prepared by Thien for P.J. Kroehnke & Co., proprietors of Thienville Mills.

Thomas, Winfield Wentworth, b. 1879.

Thomas and Wentworth family papers, 1861-1940.

UWM Manuscript Collection 74

Collection consists almost entirely of correspondence among the Wentworth family members, particularly that of William Wentworth Thomas and his wife, Minnie Pearl Higley Thomas. For the most part, these deal with personal family matters such as the children and day-to-day domestic events.

Travel diaries and personal journals of his aunt, Kate Thomas, are also included, which relate her travels to Europe and Asia and provide brief daily entries from 1870-1900 with few gaps. The collection also contains miscellaneous business records including invoices, bills of lading, and contractual agreements of The Thomas Brass & Iron Company which was founded by William's father, Richard J. Thomas. The remainder of the collection consists of genealogical histories of the Wentworth and Pike families. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Ulichny, Barbara L., 1947- .

Papers, 1977-1992.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 158 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 73

Papers of State Senator Barbara Ulichny, a Democrat who has represented Wisconsin's 4th Senate District since 1984 and who previously served in the Assembly (1978-1984). Included are general subject files and issues files from her terms as senator containing correspondence, draft legislation, reports, clippings, meeting notes, and other collected reference information; speeches; press releases; and press clippings. Issues files, which generally reflect Ulichny's committee assignments, concern topics such as economic development, education, historic preservation (including Taliesin and records from her service on the State Capitol and Executive Residence Board), nursing homes, small business, Wisconsin's Marital Property Act, and transportation. Most of the general files and issues files date from about 1989 to 1991; speeches and press releases span 1977 to 1992. Speeches (including drafts and notes) and press releases are available only on microfilm. Finding aid available in the Archives.

University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee. School of Business Administration. Office of the Dean.

Records, 1947-[ongoing].

UWM Archival Collection 15

Administrative records of the dean of the School of Business Administration and its predecessor institution, the University of Wisconsin--Extension's Division of Commerce. The majority of the records date from the 1960s and 1970s. The records document the accreditation process, committee business, newsletters, community ties, curriculum development and daily affairs of the School. The collection contains correspondence of deans H. F. Klingman (1963-1966) and C. Edward Weber (1966-1976) concerning curriculum development, funding, and staffing. American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business files document the School of Business Administration's accreditation proceedings, and the role of this accrediting body. Only a few pre-1956 records of the Division exist, and most are enrollment reports. Also contains restricted unclassified personnel files for School faculty and administrative staff. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Verhulst, Henry A., 1882-1957.

Autobiography, 1946.

Milwaukee Small Collection 82

An autobiography written by a Sheboygan, Wisconsin businessman, with information on his childhood, his religious faith, early poverty, beginnings in business, and his later civic activities; plus a newspaper obituary.

Washington Realty Company (Milwaukee, Wis.).

Records, 1900-1957.

UWM Manuscript Collection 113

Miscellaneous records of a realty company, including articles of incorporation, by-laws, and minutes of meetings. By late 1957, Milwaukee Hospital had become the sole shareholder in the company. Upon the company's dissolution in December 1957, all assets transferred to the ownership of Milwaukee Hospital. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Wells, Daniel L., 1821-1884.

Papers, 1811-1884.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection Q

Papers of an early railroad contractor and financier, including correspondence and letter books relating to his work for the following railroad companies: Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul; Chicago and Dakota; Chicago and Great Eastern; Chicago & Northwestern; La Crosse and Milwaukee; Milwaukee and Northern; Ohio and Mississippi; Sheboygan and Fond du Lac; and the Wisconsin Central. Collection also includes materials on Wells' interests in the Nonesuch Mining Company, and the newspaper Republican and News of Milwaukee, and some family records. Finding aid available in the Archives.

West Bend Company.

Records, 1911-1989.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 121 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 64

Records of a West Bend, Wisconsin manufacturing firm best known for its stainless steel cookware. Included are minutes; annual and other reports; financial records; union agreements; property, patent, and other legal records; materials on government contracts; promotional materials; extensive product literature and other company publications; files on the Aluminum Wares Association; and photographs and films of production processes, physical plant development, employees, sales techniques, and products. The records provide information on West Bend's development of cookware, small appliances, outboard motors, military supplies, and other products; sex roles in advertising; marketing techniques; wartime conversion of industry; and an employee home ownership program. Also contains a scrapbook on the West Bend Country Club. Some portions of the collection are available only on microfilm. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Whitcomb, Henry F.
Papers, 1868-1933.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 116
Papers of a Wisconsin railroad official, businessman and investor. Includes personal and business correspondence; and annual reports, legal records, and subject files pertaining to the Eastern Wisconsin Railway and Light Company; the Wisconsin Central; the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railway; the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad Company; and other railroads with which he was involved. A large part of the collection provides documentation of Whitcomb's career as receiver, general manager and president of the Wisconsin Central Railroad Line (1893-1906). Finding aid available in the Archives.

Wierman, Henry G.

Manuscript, 1957.

Milwaukee Small Collection 80

Historical account of the Onion River grist mill in Waldo, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, including descriptions of the stone process and of the roller process of grinding.

Wilde, Harold R., 1911-1962.

Papers, 1925-1959.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection CR

Papers of a Milwaukee businessman and secretary to Wisconsin Senator Alexander Wiley. Wilde's correspondence (1925-1954) usually concerns personal matters, although there are two letters from Wiley. As a civic leader, Wilde was often asked to give speeches, and many copies exist in the collection. Also contains financial reports (1947-1950) of the Norcor Manufacturing Company, of which Wilde was vice-president. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Wisconsin Gas Company.

Records, 1852-1965.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 185

Brief records of the Wisconsin Gas Company, which was the Milwaukee Gas Light Company until 1965. Papers include speeches by Howard J. Tobin and S. Lloyd Nemeyer, articles, correspondence, clippings, several histories in manuscript form, and miscellaneous printed materials, one of which is in German. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance.

Records, 1839-1852.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection X

Records of a Milwaukee company, consisting of financial and stock records, corporation and county tax accounts, real estate records, and miscellaneous financial accounts.

Wisconsin National Bank. Board of Directors.

Resolutions, 1900.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection Y

Illuminated copy of resolutions adopted by the board on the occasion of the death of Senator Philetus Sawyer of Oshkosh.

Zinn Malting Company.

Papers, 1922-1968.

UWM Manuscript Collection 189

The collection contains the family papers relating to the disposition of the estates of George T. Johnson, Albert Zinn, and other family documents. Correspondence, legal documents, newspaper clippings, and other materials relating to the Zinn Malting Company and its eventual sale to the Kurth Malting Company are also contained in the collection. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Zonta Club of Milwaukee.

Records, 1936-1972.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 179

Records of the Milwaukee branch of an organization of business executive and professional women, formed to encourage civic participation by professional women and carry out various civic and social welfare activities. Included are copies of the club's monthly newsletter, biographical briefs on members, by-laws, meeting schedules, meeting minutes, photographs, conference information, membership directories, and other administrative materials. Finding aid available in the Archives.

About the Archives | General Information | Subject Listings | Finding Aids
Genealogy | Upcoming Events | Exhibits | Teaching Resources
Records Management | Other Web Sites | Archives Home Page

©2006 University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee -- All Rights Reserved.
URL: http://www.uwm.edu/Libraries/arch/buspw.htm
Last edited on Tuesday, February 7, 2006.
Ask an Archivist