Title: Riebs Company Records
Inclusive Dates: 1933-1984

Creator:

• Riebs Company

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 389

Quantity: 0.5 cubic ft. (1 box)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

The Riebs Company was a Milwaukee, Wisconsin company started by John Michael Riebs, Jr. It was also known as the Riebs Malting Company and the Riebs Malt Grain Company. Their business involved brewing and distilling and production of malt.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0389

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John Michael Riebs, Jr., was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 26, 1862. Beginning at the age of 14 as an office boy he worked in a variety of positions in the malting business. When he was 18, Riebs was sent out as a hop buyer. He worked at American Malting Company as manager of its four Milwaukee branches. He served as vice presidents of Hansen Hop and Malt Company and Berger-Anderson Milling Company. In 1910 he operated his own grain elevator and 1919, Riebs purchased the Borchert malting plant and with his sons operated the J. M. Riebs Jr. Company. The company was known as the Riebs Malting Company, the Riebs Malt Grain Company, and the Riebs Company. Their business involved brewing, distilling, and production of malt. The Riebs Company’s main office was located at 741 N. Milwaukee Street, with two grain elevators in Milwaukee (24th Avenue and S. Pierce Street and 639 S. 29th Street) and one in Port Washington. In July 1928, the Pierce Street elevator was destroyed by a fire. In 1971, fire again destroyed the South 29th Street elevator.

John and Amalia Sternberg Riebs (1866-1937) were married in 1886. He had three children Arthur J. (1888-1957) and Paul E. (1899-1984) and a daughter, Erma Riebs Adams (1891-1980). John, also known as “Uncle Mike”, passed away in July 1937.

The records of this collection document some of the business dealings of the Riebs Malt Grain Company, of Milwaukee and Port Washington, Wisconsin, 1933-1984. Included are company records, materials included are statistical information, business activities, correspondence, reports, tax records, estate records, contracts and unions materials and lastly, photographs containing images of the three company plants.

The subjects are arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within each folder.

Riebs Company Records, 1933-1984, Collection 389. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

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).

Acquisition Information

No acquisition information is currently available. Materials were accessioned as Local History Manuscripts Collection.

Processing Information

Processed by Virginia Heidenreich, student intern, 2007. Processed by Gayle M. Ecklund, 2008. Finding aid completed by Casey Lapworth, 2019.

	Company Records
Box   1 Folder   1-8	Department of Commerce – Census of Manufactures, 1937-1972
Box   1 Folder   9	Diamond State Brewery – Debt Collection/Bankruptcy, 1954-1957
Box   1 Folder   10	George L. Smith and Co. – Malt House Well, 1933-1955
Box   1 Folder   11	Milwaukee County Department of Air Pollution Control – Status Report on “Programs for Control”, 1971
Box   1 Folder   12-14	Personal Property, Occupational Tax, 1962-1984
Box   1 Folder   15	Proposals/Bids, 1964-1971
Box   1 Folder   16	Resale Certificates – Kentucky, 1960-1962
Box   1 Folder   17	Stationary and Invoice specimens, undated , undated
Box   1 Folder   18	Stock Purchase Agreement – Estate of Arthur J. M. Riebs, 1960
	Contacts and Unions
Box   1 Folder   19	Brewers’ Association of America – Bulletins, 1969
Box   1 Folder   20	Brewery Workers Local Union No. 9, 1968-1969
Box   1 Folder   21	James B. Beam Distilling Co., 1969-1970
Box   1 Folder   22	Norfolk and Western Ry. Co., 1971
Box   1 Folder   23	Northwestern Lumber and Wrecking Co., 1965-1974
	Photographs
Box   1 Folder   24	Riebs Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin Malting Plant, undated
Box   1 Folder   25	Riebs Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin Terminal Grain Elevator, undated
Box   1 Folder   26	Riebs Co., Port Washington, Wisconsin Malting Plant, undated