Political Collections, N-Z

Subject Listing:
Political, N-Z

Norquist, John O.
Papers, 1970-1988.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 200 and PH Manuscript Collection 200
Legislative papers of a former Democratic assemblyperson (1975-1983) and state senator (1983-1988), who was later elected mayor of Milwaukee. Included are general correspondence and subject files documenting topics with which he was prominently identified such as education, health care, taxes, and transportation and his leadership position on the Joint Committee on Finance. Also well covered is the Milwaukee Public Schools, the Senate Democratic Caucus and the legislative party leadership, the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, funding to the Department of Transportation for highway construction and mass transit, the Hospital Rate Setting Commission, and the Legislative Council Committee on Occupational Licensing. In addition to correspondence and memoranda the files include press releases, newsletters, and speeches. Some records of the Assembly Transportation Committee were created by former legislator Kevin Soucie. Prominent correspondents include David Berger, Lee Dreyfus, Anthony Earl, Edward Jackamonis, Lowell Jackson, Gerald Kleczka, Henry Maier, and Thomas Loftus. 28 negatives that document Norquist's 1984 trip to Nicaragua are housed with the papers. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Padway, Joseph A., 1891-1947.
Papers, 1916-1946.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 6 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 40
Papers of a Jewish labor lawyer, Progressive, Socialist, Wisconsin state senator, and Milwaukee County judge. Padway became chief counsel for the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor in 1915 and for the American Federation of Labor in 1938. The papers contain subject files pertaining primarily to Padway's political activities, personal interests, and travel; and scrapbooks of clippings on his legal interests and more noteworthy cases. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Philipp, Cyrus L., 1898-1981.
Papers, 1921-1954.
Milwaukee Micro Collection 53
Papers (mainly 1928-1952) of a Wisconsin industrialist and Republican Party leader. The files consist almost entirely of correspondence concerning Philipp's activities as chairman of the Republican State Central Committee (1934-1938), national committeeman (1944-1952), and leader in the Milwaukee County Republican Committee. The files deal with policy, fund raising and finances, and rivalries between various Republican Party leaders. Also includes materials on Philipp's support of the gubernatorial campaign of Walter Kohler in 1930, and ongoing work on behalf of the presidential aspirations of Robert A. Taft. The political correspondence includes numerous exchanges with state leaders such as A. M. Brayton; William J. Campbell; John B. Chapell; Thomas Coleman; George L. Golkey; F. L. Gullickson; Julius Heil; C. L. Kolb; Alvin O'Konski; Henry Ringling; Edward A. Samp; George Vits; and J. Pierpoint Wood. A small number of files concern Philipp's extensive philanthropic involvements in behalf of the Citizen's Bureau of Milwaukee, the Family Welfare Association of Milwaukee, and other local organizations. Only a few letters pertain to his business affairs, relating to his work with his father in the early 1920s.

Political Education and Action League (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Records, 1962-1965.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 1
Records of a business and professional organization which sponsored conservative candidates for office, spanning only the early years of the League. The collection contains organizational and general records, including copies of the articles of incorporation; a small amount of correspondence, much of which was mass produced for the membership; information sheets; press releases; newsclippings; and other miscellaneous materials. The organizational records and press releases provide insight into the formation and activities of PEAL, while the newsclippings illustrate the League's advertising and endorsement efforts.

Potter, Calvin J.
Papers, 1970-1998.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 174
Political papers of Calvin Potter, a member of the Democratic Party, mainly reflecting his years as a representative of Wisconsin's 9th Senate District (Sheboygan, Calumet, and Manitowoc counties) from 1990-1998, but also including materials from his tenure in the State Assembly (59th District, Sheboygan County) from 1974-1988. The papers consist of biographical information, newsletters, press releases, speeches, and subject file which focus on legislation with which he was closely involved. Topics include credit unions, school mascots and Native American stereotypes, juvenile justice, "light" butter, pornography, DNA testing, tattoo legislation, and various police related issues, among others. The collection also contains a diary and correspondence from a 1986 trip to Japan funded through the Japan/United States Friendship Commission to study the Japanese educational system. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Prange, Louis H., 1884-1957.
Papers, 1952-1957.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection EI
Consists primarily of constituent correspondence and press clippings of a Republican state senator from Ozaukee and Sheboygan counties. Much of the correspondence is between Prange and professional and business interests groups concerning highway safety and the state traffic patrol force; proposed raising of the drinking age; statewide daylight savings time; teachers' retirement legislation; legalized bingo; costs of funerals; chiropractic medicine; the Wisconsin Radio Council; artificial food coloring; and train crew laws. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Reuss, Henry S.
Papers, 1839-1982.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 112
Papers of a Democratic congressman who represented Wisconsin's Fifth Congressional District in the House of Representatives from 1955 through his retirement in 1982. The papers document Reuss' political career and contain the files of his field office in Milwaukee and congressional office in Washington. Most of the papers were created by Reuss and his administrative assistants during the years 1955 through 1982, and consist of constituent communications, correspondence, legislative issue files, memoranda, press releases, project files, reports, research materials, speeches, and studies. The collection also contains a small quantity of audiovisual material, including sound recordings, films, and videotapes of speeches, interviews, and announcements made by Reuss. The Milwaukee Office Records Series contain memoranda, reports, project files, biographical data, personal memorabilia and photographs, and a small quantity of family records dating to 1839. These files document the involvement of Reuss and his Milwaukee office staff with issues of local significance. Subjects covered include business organizations, community groups, ethnic affairs, political issues, public relations, transportation, and urban redevelopment. The Washington Office Records Series make up the majority of the collection and contain subject and public relations files documenting Reuss' legislative interests, including banking, economics, civil rights, conservation, transportation, and urban renewal. The subject files document Reuss' committee service, including the House Banking, Government Operations, and Joint Economic committees. The public relations files contain campaign materials, newsletters, press releases, speech transcripts, travel files, voting records, and publications by Reuss.

Rubin, William B., 1873-1959.
Papers, 1908-1950.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection P
Papers of a Milwaukee Jewish lawyer who was chief counsel for the American Federation of Labor for twenty-five years. Most of the collection consists of correspondence with labor and political leaders, and contains no legal briefs and very little information on cases. The correspondence reveals Rubin's own attitude toward labor, his belief in democratic processes, and his political philosophy. Also contains copies of many of Rubin's articles and speeches, and newsclippings of his own writings. Includes ten letterbooks containing copies of letters sent out by Rubin's law firm, usually sent by his associates. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Schneiders, Lolita, 1931- .
Papers, 1989-1995
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 157
Papers of a Republican representative of Wisconsin's 24th Assembly District (Menomonee Falls area, 1980-1997) concerning her leadership and involvement in the development and passage of Wisconsin's Sexual Predator Law (Chapter 980) in 1994. Included is collected background and research information; correspondence; a file reflecting Attorney General James Doyle's involvement in developing the legislation; testimony given by Schneiders in support of the bill; newsclippings; information about the Sex Offender Treatment Program at Oshkosh Correctional Institution; a file concerning legal challenges to the law's constitutionality; and information about the Sex Offender Community Notification Program. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Schultz, John A., 1897-1956.
Papers, 1919-1956.
Milwaukee Small Collection 83
The collection consists of photocopied newsclippings dating from the 1940s, which illustrate several of the important events of Schultz's career as a Milwaukee alderman. Schultz was elected to the Milwaukee Common Council in 1932 and served for sixteen years. Also contains political handbills and several miscellaneous photographs. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Senior Action Coalition (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Records, 1960-1980.
UWM Manuscript Collection 23
Records (mainly 1974-1980) of a volunteer organization which promoted the health and well-being of older adults and encouraged them to be politically and socially active. The collection includes committee meeting minutes, correspondence, news clippings, photographs, grant proposals, reports, film, and videotape. Most of the records are those of its presidents, William Kesselman and Anne Sery. Especially well-documented are the Identification Cards program, its tax reform meetings, and work with the Milwaukee County Commission on Aging. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Sensenbrenner, F. James, 1943- .
Papers, 1967-1978.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 91
There are restrictions on access; consult an archivist for details. Legislative papers of a Republican who represented the northern Milwaukee suburbs in the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate (1969-1978). The bulk of the materials is correspondence from constituents, colleagues, advocacy groups, and state and legislative agencies and materials on specific legislation and committee assignments. Also included are constituent assists; personal correspondence; newsletters; columns; and other press relations materials. Especially well documented topics include Sensenbrenner's expertise in educational finance, the state budget, and his membership on the Ethics and Judiciary committees.

Sholes, Charles C. (Charles Clark), 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.

Smith, Henry, 1838-1916.
Papers, 1846-1916.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection CP
The major portion of the correspondence is found in the years, 1910 to 1916. It is composed of copies of Smith's letters to politicians, local officials, and Milwaukee residents whom he tried to help. He was constantly questioning the validity of a public official's stand, or "setting the record straight" as to Milwaukee's laws. henry Smith spent many years studying the statutes and reports concerning Milwaukee's history, and this collection contains detailed summaries he wrote on bridges across the streams in Milwaukee, the development of the city's waterworks, mill dams on the Milwaukee River, and a history and description of the site of Milwaukee. The papers also contain brief histories by Smith concerning the Territory of Wisconsin, and the railroads of the state. He was a member of the Old Settler's Club, and wrote biographies of early residents, three of which appear in Box 1, Folder 3, along with several biographies and an autobiography of Henry Smith, himself. His treatise on "Why I Became a Greenbacker in Politics" and "letters to the editor," in Folder 4, are indicative of his interests; and Volumes 2 and 3 are scrapbooks of clippings showing Smith's long involvement in public affairs. As foreman of the Grand Jury that investigated the bank failures in Milwaukee in 1893, he drafted the Jury's report, a copy of which appears here. Volume 4 contains the 1895 to 1896 minutes of the Wisconsin Cremation Society, of which Smith was secretary. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Steffes, Herbert J., 1904-1975.
Papers, 1936-1974.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 7
Papers of a lawyer who served as a Milwaukee County district attorney and municipal judge. The majority of the collection consists of judicial subject files (1957-1974) emphasizing court reorganization and other legislative measures affecting judges. Also contains materials on Steffes' political campaigns (1936-1955), some of his public appearances and speeches, and his activities and interests as a judge. Besides election campaign materials, there is little additional information on his activities as district attorney or as a municipal judge prior to 1957. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Stern, 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.

Stowell, John M., 1824-1907.
Scrapbooks, 1882-1907.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection DB
Scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings concerning Milwaukee politics and Stowell, mayor of the city from 1882-1884.

Tehan, Robert, 1905-1975.
Papers, 1940-1975.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 104 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 51
Papers of a liberal Wisconsin Democratic Party leader, state legislator, and U.S. District Court judge consisting of biographical newsclippings, fragmentary correspondence relating to his career, and speeches. The biographical information focuses on the time Tehan spent in the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate (1936-1949), his leadership of the Democratic Party, and his career as a federal judge (1949-1975). The correspondence covers Tehan's legislative career and consists of letters to and from constituents, letters concerning the Party, and get-well and thank-you letters from political leaders. The correspondence from his years as a federal judge concerns his appointment, as well as two specific cases: the Woodmar Realty Company bankruptcy case, and the Milton Margoles bankruptcy and bribery case. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Tesmer, Louise M., 1942- .
Papers, 1973-1976.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection EN
Papers of a female Democratic legislator from Wisconsin's 19th Assembly District, mainly letters to and from constituents, and interested citizens and organizations of Wisconsin. Most of the letters relate to budget bills or abortion legislation. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Ulichny, Barbara L., 1947-
Papers, 1977-1992
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 158 and Milwaukee Micro 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.

Untermann, Ernest.
Papers [microform], 1933-1956.
Milwaukee Micro Collection 23
Papers of a social philosopher, writer, artist, and director of the Washington Park Zoo of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Includes correspondence concerning socialism and politics; typewritten and printed speeches and articles; drafts and manuscripts of published works; reproductions of several of Untermann's artworks; and obituaries following his death. The correspondence includes letters to Joan London containing references to his acquaintance with her father Jack London and to his work at the zoo. Also contains carbon copies of many letters to Milwaukee socialists concerning his critique of Marxism. His writings include three longer works: The Tragedy of Marxism, Science and Thinking, and Lenin's Maggot. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Wasielewski, Thaddeus F.B., 1904-1976.
Papers, 1932-1973.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 15 and Milwaukee Micro 24
Papers of the Democratic representative of Wisconsin's 4th Congressional district, 1941-1947. Wasielewski's papers consist of correspondence, primarily from his years in Congress and family letters, microfilmed newspaper clippings illustrating his political career, files of campaign brochures and leaflets, printed voting records, material from the 1948 Democratic National Convention, and personal and family biographical material. Major correspondents include Wasielewski's mother, Felicia, and his brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Regina Wasielewski. These letters and others to relatives and friends represent a good picture of the Wasielewski's family life and social activities in Washington, with some references to Congressional business. Political papers in the collection consist of copies of campaign and general speeches, delivered by Wasielewski and by his supporters, with scattered press releases and radio talk show scripts included. Materials are in both English and Polish. The file of general political papers contains lists of supporters and poll lists, statements of receipts and expenditures from the 1942 campaign and from the 1944 contested election law suit brought by John C. Shafer, and a few other items. Finding aid available in the Archives..

Winkler, Frederick C., 1838-1921.
Papers, 1864-1919.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection W
Mostly correspondence and documents scattered through a fifty year period. Includes an unfinished letter (28 July 1864) that Winkler apparently wrote to another officer describing the Battle of Peach Tree Creek; a manuscript describing Frank Haskell; a letter from Carl Schurz (28 January 1869) offering thanks to Winkler; two letters (1892) from William F. Vilas and John C. Spooner discussing politics and appointments; and a letter (8 May 1916) from Woodrow Wilson with the president's appreciation for a telegram from Winkler.

Wisconsin Council for Mentally Retarded Children.
Records, 1949-1980.
UWM Manuscript Collection 22
Records, largely consisting of correspondence, documenting the group's attempts to change the established procedures for commitment of an individual to a mental health facility, and to reduce the financial responsibility placed on the parents of institutionalized children. Alice W. Gee, president of the group, generated the bulk of the correspondence. The information in the correspondence documents the activities of the group from its inception. The correspondence was primarily with the parents of retarded children, politicians, and mental institution personnel. Although some portions of the records are incomplete or missing, the political activities of this group are well documented for the years 1949-1955. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Records, 1970-72.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 19
Fragmentary records of a local group formed in 1971 in support of the presidential campaign of Senator Edmund S. Muskie of Maine, and coordinated by Cudahy optometrist Edward J. Tomasik. The collection includes organizational records, correspondence and memoranda, lists of poll watchers and election workers, campaign brochures and general campaign papers, official files and Tomasik's handwritten notes, photographs, and notes of a telephone campaign to enlist the support of Wisconsin's Polish American Catholic clergy. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Records, 1953-1978.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collections 153
Administrative and program records of the World Affairs Council of Milwaukee (Wisconsin), a non-profit, non-partisan organization established by Milwaukee civic leaders to stimulate interest in current international issues and to provide a forum for both obtaining information about foreign affairs and exchanging opinions with policy makers. Collection includes correspondence, program flyers and brochures, program planning materials, board and committee meeting minutes, newsclippings, press releases, Council Courier newsletters, membership lists, by-laws and statements of purpose, biographical information on speakers, notes, and miscellaneous materials. Finding aid available in the Archives.

WUWM (Radio station : Milwaukee, Wis.).
Records, 1951-1983.
UWM Archival Collection 2