The collection consists primarily of correspondence, financial records, and miscellany of the Rietbrock Land and Lumber Company, with some of the records of other or subsidiary companies included. The correspondence consists of letters and letterbooks dating from 1902 to 1935 (with some gaps), generally in the form of Erbach's reports to the Milwaukee office. These describe the work of the Athens branch that was completed or in progress, the weather and conditions in and near camp, and financial information. Also discussed are land transactions and mortgages, shipping schedules, and purchases of supplies and equipment in the Athens area. Other correspondence deals with the three farms, which Erbach either managed, or partially owned. One letterbook contains correspondence only of the Athens Canning Company. Volumes 10, 12, and 14 are partially illegible, having suffered damage from water, mold, or rodents prior to accessioning.
Financial records include journals and a ledger from the land and lumber business prior to its ownership solely by the Rietbrock family. A trial balance book, and corporate tax records date from the period after Frederick Rietbrock's death in 1906.
The records of the Athens Brick and Tile Company and the Athens Canning Company contain mostly invoices and receipts, and very little correspondence. A journal and cash book of the Ceres Roller Mills Company, are also present.
