University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Fleming, Thomas J., 1869-1930.

Thomas J. Fleming and Harold J. Fleming papers, 1922-1940.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection EC

1.6 cubic ft. (4 archives boxes)



ABSTRACT: The bulk of the collection consists of business correspondence of the C. Nelson Smith Company (Thomas Fleming was president) which manufactured Fleming's D-O-D, a patent medicine advertised as capable of curing numerous human ailments, as well as most animal diseases. Also included are letters reflecting Thomas Fleming's political activities in the 1920s, when he was a delegate to national Democratic conventions. Harold Fleming's papers document his West Allis A & W Root Beer franchise, and social and civic interests, which included the American Legion, the Red Cross, and the West Allis News (1938), a small mimeographed sheet.

The collection deals with such subjects as folk and patent medicine, the American Legion, community activities in West Allis, and local Democratic party politics. It documents the role of the small businessman as community leader.


ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The collection contains three series: C. Nelson Smith Company Records, the Thomas J. Fleming Papers, and the Harold J. Fleming Papers.

The C. Nelson Smith Company Records, the bulk of the collection, consists of the correspondence (1922-1935) of the company, which manufactured D-O-D, powdered medicine advertised as capable of curing every human ailment from sore throat to gangrene, as well as most animal diseases. Business correspondence includes: Thomas Fleming's recommendations to purchasers for treatment of various diseases, his suggestions to local sales representatives about various diseases, his suggestions to local sales representatives about potential customers to contact, and his letters to government officials and others written as a representative of West Allis businessmen; letters from purchasers concerning results of using D-O-D; correspondence concerning supplies; and D-O-D testimonials. An undated advertising pamphlet, a few financial records (1922-1929, 1938), and a legal document regarding The United States vs. the C. Nelson Smith Company (1931) are among the company records.

The Thomas J. Fleming's Papers contain two folders of letters reflecting his political activities in the decade 1920 to 1930 during which he was a delegate to the national Democratic conventions, state Democratic party treasurer, and candidate for state senator. Of particular political interest are copies of letters written by P. H. Callahan, varnish manufacturer, prominent Catholic layman, and pro-prohibition leader, to newspaper editors, politicians, government officials, and church leaders to advocate that prohibition remain in force. Among Fleming's few personal papers is an inventory of his estate (1935).

The Harold J. Fleming Papers concern his business, social, and civic interests. Letters from the R. W. Allen Company, Inc. pertain to his A & W Root Beer Stores franchise. Other letters refer to the American Legion, to the Red Cross, and to political activities, social events, and sports, particularly local bowling teams and scores. Financial records kept while he was secretary/treasurer of the Fairview Country Club and a few copies of The West Allis News (1938), a small mimeographed sheet containing news of local events and community gossip edited by the Flemings, are also filed among Harold's papers.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Thomas J. Fleming was born in Emmet, Wisconsin around 1869. For a number of years he ran a dairy farm, and from 1895 to 1917 he was secretary of the Wisconsin Agricultural Society. By 1917 he was no longer farming but was owner of the Northern Chemical Company, a West Allis concern which manufactured D-O-D, a patent medicine. About 1918, Fleming transferred the manufacture of the powder to the C. Nelson Smith Company, also of West Allis, of which first he (1918-1930), and later his son Harold (1930-?), were president. Thomas Fleming was a delegate to every national Democratic party convention from 1896 to 1928, state Democratic party treasurer, and an unsuccessful candidate for state senator in 1928. Fleming and his wife Adelaide had four children: Harold, Edward, Helen, and Catherine. He died on 28 August 1930.

Harold J. Fleming, son of Thomas J. and Adelaide Fleming, was born 8 March 1900 in West Allis and was educated in the public schools there, at St. Thomas College, St. Paul, Minnesota, and at Marquette University, Milwaukee. After Thomas Fleming's death, Harold continued the manufacture, promotion, and sale of D-O-D. He also ran as A & W Root Beer stand on Greenfield Avenue in West Allis, Which is still in operation at the same location. Harold Fleming was also active in local organizations such as the American Legion; the Fairview Country Club, of which he was secretary/treasurer and his father a director; the Red Cross; and several bowling teams. Married twice, Harold had four children: Thomas J., Mary Jeanne, David J., and Paul A.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Fleming, Thomas J., 1869-1930. Thomas J. Fleming and Harold J. Fleming papers, 1922-1940. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection EC. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

ACQUISITION: Presented by Harold J. Fleming of West Allis, Wisconsin in May 1960 (accession number M60-58).

PROCESSING: Processed by R. D. Shuster (FGH intern) and  J. Hohler on January 27,  1975.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:
MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION EC BOX FOLDER
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Advertising, "D-O-D, The Human Cleanser," Pamphlet, undated 4 5
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, A, 1927-1929 1 1
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, B, 1927-1929 1 2
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, Business Supplies, 1929-1930 4 2
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, C, 1927-1929, 1935 1 3
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, D, 1927-1929 1 4
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, E, 1927-1929 1 5
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, F, 1927-1929 1 6
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, G, 1927-1929 1 7
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, H, 1927-1929 1 8
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, J, 1927-1929 2 1
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, K, 1927-1929 2 2
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, L, 1927-1929 2 3
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, M, 1927-1929 2 4
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, N, 1927-1929 2 5
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, O, 1927-1929 3 1
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, P, 1927-1929 3 2
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, R, 1927-1929 3 3
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, S, 1927-1928 3 4
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, S, 1928-1930 3 5
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, T, 1927-1929 3 6
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, Testimonial Letters, 1922-1924 4 3
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, U-V, 1927-1929 3 7
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, W, 1927-1929 3 8
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Correspondence, X-Z, 1930-1931 4 1
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Financial records, 1922-1929, 1938 4 4
C. Nelson Smith Company Records, Legal, "The United States vs. The C Nelson Company," 1931 4 6
Harold J. Fleming Papers, Business, A & W Root Beer Stand Franchise, Correspondence and Records, 1931-1939 4 10
Harold J. Fleming Papers, Civic and Social, American Legion Activities, 1929-1939 4 11
Harold J. Fleming Papers, Civic and Social, Bowling, Correspondence and Records, 1929-1940 4 12
Harold J. Fleming Papers, Civic and Social, Fairview Country Club, 1930-1931 4 13
Harold J. Fleming Papers, Memorial Day and Armistice Day Ceremonies, 1929-1939 4 14
Harold J. Fleming Papers, Personal Correspondence and Miscellaneous, 1929-1939 4 16
Harold J. Fleming Papers, The West Allis News, 1938 4 15
Thomas J. Fleming Papers, Correspondence, P. H. Callahan Prohibition, 1930 4 8
Thomas J. Fleming Papers, Correspondence, Political, 1920-1930 4 7
Thomas J. Fleming Papers, Personal Papers, 1925-1935 4 9

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Last edited on Wednesday, August 7, 2002.
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