German American Collections

Subject Listing:
German Americans

Barelmann family.
Papers [microform], 1852-1901.
Milwaukee Micro Collection 10
Correspondence, military documents, insurance policies, indentures, citizenship and marriage certificates, and other documents of the family, which immigrated to Ozaukee County from Germany around 1857.

Economy Savings & Loan Associates (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Annual reports, 1927-1968.
Milwaukee Small Collection 204
Annual financial statements and a prospectus (ca. 1930) of a Milwaukee, Wisconsin neighborhood building and loan association formed in 1927. Economy provided savings and investment opportunities to persons of low or median income and financed first home mortgages for its members. Members were primarily families of German descent who lived near Economy's office on North Teutonia Avenue. The association was dissolved in 1968 and its assets sold to Hopkins Savings and Loan.

Elsner, Richard, 1859-1938.
Papers, 1854-1967.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 193
Photocopies from a scrapbook and memoir of Richard Elsner, an early champion of both the trade union and Socialist movements in Milwaukee. Born in Germany, Elsner came to Milwaukee in 1880 and became a pioneer in the Brewery Worker's Union, a veteran of the Socialist Party, an attorney, and was elected as a civil judge, register of deeds, and a member of the Wisconsin legislature. The papers include photocopies of family materials, writings by Elsner, miscellaneous articles, and photographs of Elsner and his family. Also included is an undated biography of Elsner written by Charlotte Bleistein. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Erlebacher, Rosa. Rosa and Alfred Erlebacher papers, 1937-1954. Milwaukee Small Collection 59 Letters, in German, written between 1938-1942 by Mrs. Lena Werthheimer, to her daughter and son-in-law, Rosa and Alfred Erlebacher, residing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Werthheimers lived in Laupheim, Germany until they were deported to the concentration camp at Thereseinstadt (Czechoslovakia) in late 1942. Most of the letters describe only family matters and personal affairs and do not comment directly on the conditions of Jews in Germany. There are also letters (1938-early 1950s) to Mrs. Erlebacher from her siblings in Palestine and South Africa.
Letters, in German, written between 1938-1942 by Mrs. Lena Werthheimer, to her daughter and son-in-law, Rosa and Alfred Erlebacher, residing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Werthheimers lived in Laupheim, Germany until they were deported to the concentration camp at Thereseinstadt (Czechoslovakia) in late 1942. Most of the letters describe only family matters and personal affairs and do not comment directly on the conditions of Jews in Germany. There are also letters (1938-early 1950s) to Mrs. Erlebacher from her siblings in Palestine and South Africa.

Etges, Andreas.
Collection, 1865-1930, 1990.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 152

Friedens United Church of Christ (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Records, 1882-1968.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 163
Records of the Friedens United Church of Christ, organized in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1869 as the Friedens Evangelical Church, a congregation of German Americans. The collection consists mainly of financial records which also include information about membership and clues about church activities. There is also a record book of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, deaths, communion, and special offerings between the years 1914 and 1928. A scrapbook in the collection includes a 60th anniversary brochure with brief historical notes, and also includes clippings, orders of worship, and other memorabilia. There are two photographs in the collection, including an image of what is presumably the first church built in 1869, and an unidentified group of men in front of it. The earliest records are in German. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Hauser, Otto R., 1886-1972.
Papers, 1860-1972.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection CF
Papers of a Milwaukee Baptist minister and Socialist leader, who helped organize American Relief for Germany, an organization which raised money for German relief after World War II. The collection consists primarily of minutes, organizational materials, photographs, reports, speeches, a film, and other records of American Relief for Germany. Also contains Hauser's recorded autobiography, several school notebooks, and diaries, mostly in German. Miscellaneous items include files on Immanuel Baptist Church, Roger Williams Hospital; a few speeches and pamphlets from Hauser's two political campaigns; his secretaryship to Mayor Hoan of Milwaukee; his opposition to war and fascism; and his support of Milwaukee's blacks. Finding aid available in the Archives.

John Pritzlaff Hardware Company (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Records, 1839-1868, 1884-1949.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection CQ and Milwaukee Micro Collection 9
Eleven volumes of ledgers (1850-1861), including day books, cash book, accounts receivable and annual statements; an inventory volume (1861-1865); miscellaneous material; and a microfilm of typewritten copies of six letters from John Pritzlaff (1839-1847), in German. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Jordens, H. W. (Harry W.).
Papers, ca. 1874-1954.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection H
Papers of a Milwaukee businessman, relating largely to the German American community, including scattered correspondence, newsclippings, financial statements, minutes and other materials on the Rigoletto Mandolin Club (1925-1945), and the Federation of German-American Societies of Wisconsin (1941-1954). Also contains letters (ca. 1874-1882), mostly in German, to Jordens' great-grandfather, Emil Viergutz, a German immigrant and hardware store owner in Milwaukee. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Kroehnke, John O., 1810- .
Diaries, 1884-1885.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 107
Four diaries of a farmer-painter who emigrated from Schleswig-Holstein and settled in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. The diaries, which are written in old German script, are supplemented by complete translations of the first volume (1884-1850) into modern German and into English and by notes on the other three volumes. Although the diaries reveal little about family life they extensively discuss his journey to Wisconsin via New York City and the Erie Canal, the process of homesteading in the wilderness, economic conditions (especially during the Civil War), and ethnic assimilation and community life. Because Kroehnke was a relatively well educated man his diaries are also of note for linguists and paleographers. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Landwirthschaftlicher Verein (Plymouth, Wis.).
Records, 1871-1888.
Milwaukee Small Collection 24
Constitution, by-laws, and proceedings, in German of a settler's association.

LaPhilliph, Robert Snover.
Papers, 1917-1918.
Milwaukee Small Collection 201
Photocopy of a letter dated October 7, 1917 written by Robert S. LaPhillip of Milwaukee, Wisconsin to a friend in the army stationed in Waco, Texas. While the letter is mainly humorous banter between friends, it reveals homefront attitudes toward Germans and those on the political left. Also included is a copy of LaPhillip's draft notice and registration certificate.

Miller, Frederick E., 1824-1888.
Miller family papers, 1771-1844.
Milwaukee Small Collection 167
Family papers, including a Miller family tree, photocopies of 12 family photographs, and a typed transcript of a July 1879 letter from Miller in Milwaukee to relatives in Germany discussing family news, life in Milwaukee, the family brewing business, and Miller's personal philosophy.

Milwaukee Brewers' Association.
Records, 1883-1894.
UWM Manuscript Collection 142
This collection contains a general journal (1883-1894) and a general ledger (1883-1894) from the Milwaukee Brewers' Association. These volumes document the close relationship between several Milwaukee brewery owners, who committed to their community through philanthropic donations to local charities benefiting the poor or ill. They also gave money to religious, political, cultural, and educational organizations. Some of the more popular recipients included Turnverein Vorwaerts, Liegel, Milwaukee Infants House, St. Rosa's Orphanage, the Thirteenth Ward Catholic Church, and the Working People's Reading Club. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Milwaukee Turners.
Records, 1852-1944.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection BM
Records of the Milwaukee Turners, a social and political organization. Includes correspondence (1928-1936); financial reports (1928-1932); printed histories; minutes of the recording secretary (1855-1944), the financial secretary (1855-1934), and the corresponding secretary (1854-1859). Finding aid available in the Archives.

Munk, Emanuel, 1806-1899.
Letters, 1861-1893.
Milwaukee Micro Collection 2
Letters, mostly in German, of a physician who emigrated to Wisconsin in 1847, including letters to his son Herman written while he served as assistant surgeon to the 20th Wisconsin Infantry in the Civil War (1862-1863), especially about the Battle of Prairie Grove; and letters (1866-1873) describing his life in Fond du Lac and Milwaukee, and the development of business and railroads in Eastern Wisconsin, and his interest in self-education.

Paetz, Emil D.
Papers, 1881-1907.
Milwaukee Small Collection 208
Photocopied correspondence, some in German, between Paetz and family members in Milwaukee while he served in the 4th U.S. Cavalry, Troop E, in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War; plus miscellaneous family, legal, tax, and insurance papers, and an 1886 letter from Prussia.

Post World War II Danube Swabian Immigration to Milwaukee Oral History Project.
Records, 1993-1995.
UWM Manuscript Collection 112
Abstracts, transcripts, and audio recordings with Danube Swabian immigrants to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, conducted as part of an oral history course at the University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee. The interviews provide insights on life in the Danube basin, service in the Hungarian and German armies during World War II, experiences in Russian prisoner-of-war camps, emigration and settlement in Milwaukee, and the German American community. The collection is especially useful for studying the removal of ethnic minorities from eastern Europe, and the life of refugees in Germany after the war. Finding aid available in the Archives.

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.

Rodenkirch, Michael, 1798-1880.
Letter, 1846.
Milwaukee Small Collection 203
Photocopied typewritten translation of a long letter written by Rodenkirch, one of the first settlers living at St. Michaels (Washington County), Wisconsin, sent to relatives and friends living in Germany, 26 December 1846, describing the journey to Milwaukee, land he purchased, farming methods, tools used, costs of many items, and experiences with nearby Indians, and comparing his life with that he left behind in Prussia. This translation was prepared by Sister Julianna, Mount Mary College, December 4, 1958.

Stern, Erich C. (Erich Cramer), 1879-1969.
Papers, 1868-1967.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection EM
Papers of a Milwaukee lawyer and member of the Common Council (1908-1910) and State Assembly (1910-1912). Most of the papers pertain to his activities and Stern family matters during the first half of his life. Most of the Stern family correspondence (1868-1916) is in German, and is indicative of the pro-German leanings of many German Americans before the U.S. entry into World War I. The correspondence breaks off prior to America's entry and was not resumed. Stern's personal correspondence (1884-1967) is mostly in English, and was largely written early in his life, before his public activities. Stern's journals (1917-1919) reveal his impassioned opposition to U.S. involvement in the war, and his fears for the limitations of political freedom imposed as a consequence of the war. Also contains some records of Stern's activities as Council member, including the results of an informal nationwide survey on street maintenance procedures and financing. Collection includes some records on Stern's efforts to establish non-partisan politics in Wisconsin cities. The newsclippings pertain to Stern's youth, his election campaigns, World War I, and miscellaneous activities in which Stern was interested or involved. Finding aid available in the Archives.

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.

Steuben Society of Milwaukee.
Records, 1926-1935.
Milwaukee Small Collection 4
Records of a patriotic organization formed "to keep alive the many noble contributions that persons of German birth and ancestry have contributed to [the] country." The Society also sponsored an Employment and Immigration Bureau. Records include miscellaneous financial statements; letters; and clippings of the Society between 1926 and 1935 kept by Hugo W. Rohde, one of the leaders of the group. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Timlin, William Henry, b. 1852- .
Autobiography, 1915.
Milwaukee Small Collection 2
Autobiography of a former Wisconsin State Supreme Court associate justice (1907-1916), describing 19th-century Wisconsin rural farm life, labor, and education in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin; Wisconsin frontier settlement; an 1861 rebellion of Ozaukee County German-Americans against the Civil War conscription; an 1862 "Indian panic" in Wisconsin; lumber camps and saw mills of Muskegon, Michigan; the 1875-1876 Black Hills gold rush and subsequent Sioux Indian War; and school superintendency and law practice in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. Finding aid available in the Archives.

University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee. Dept. of German.
Records, 1956-1988.
UWM Archival Collection 104
Miscellaneous records, including departmental correspondence, staff meeting minutes, and various materials relating to local on- and off-campus German cultural events. The correspondence files (1956-1969) largely consist of letters between the dean and associate dean of the College of Letters & Science and the chairman of the Dept. of German regarding budgets, staffing, events and curricula. The collection also contains more detailed material on various German organizations and events in the Milwaukee area, such as a Hermann Hesse photo exhibit. Minutes of various graduate program committees and documentation of study abroad programs also are included. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Vorwaerts Publishing Company (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Minutes, 1906-1909.
Milwaukee Small Collection 184
Minutes (and a copy of the by-laws) of the Vorwaerts Publishing Company, incorporated in 1906 by Milwaukee Socialist Victor Berger (the major stockholder) and a small group of others. This action separated Berger's German-language publishing operations from his English-language Socialist publishing concerns. The company published "Vorwaerts," a weekly paper at this time. The business was sold to the Milwaukee Social-Democratic Publishing Company in 1909.

Wild, Robert, 1875-1928.
Family papers, 1825-1937.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection CJ
Papers of a Milwaukee lawyer and the Wild family, which settled in Milwaukee in 1853. The majority of the collection consists of incoming letters from relatives in Baden, Germany; letters from the Wild children, especially George B., discussing family life, dispersal of relatives, education, and their movements and interests. Also contains the correspondence and speeches of Robert Wild on women's suffrage and prohibition. Includes letters from the Swayne family to George B. about baseball and miscellaneous issues, valuable largely for their autographs; records concerning the estate of Franz Mohr, a friend of the family; the Milwaukee West Side High School; and the Deutsche Gesellschaft von Milwaukee. Some materials are in German. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Zoar Reformed Church (Rhine, Wis.).
Record book, 1862-1969.
Milwaukee Small Collection 157
Record book of a Sheboygan County, Wisconsin German reformed congregation which dissolved in 1969; including baptismal records (1862-1969); confirmation, marriage, burial, and communion records (1908-1969); and membership and other records.