Title: William H. Zuehlke Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1922-1963

Creator:

• Zuehlke, William H. (William Henry), 1874-1969

Call Number: Green Bay Mss 26

Quantity: 0.4 cubic feet (1 archives box)

Repository:

Housed at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Archives and Area Research Center; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

UW-Green Bay Cofrin Library / Green Bay Area Research Ctr. (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Papers of William H. Zuehlke, an Appleton, Wisconsin, resident active in the Outagamie County Republican Party; including correspondence, genealogies of the Jones and the Farquharson families, and records of Camp 3 of the United Spanish War Veterans and Post 133 of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-gb0026

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William Henry Zuehlke was born February 16, 1874. He enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard in 1893 and served in Georgia with the Wisconsin Second Volunteer Regiment during the Spanish American War in 1898. He stayed in the Guard and played a key role in mobilization during World War I. He retired from the Guard in 1919 with the rank of colonel.

Zuehlke's civilian work began in the Appleton United States Post Office (USPS) as a clerk in 1895. He became assistant postmaster in 1898. In 1917 he resigned to become president of Fox River Paper Company but returned as postmaster in 1922. He held that post until 1926 when he resigned to work full-time for Aid Association for Lutherans.

One of the nine original incorporators of AAL in 1902, Zuehlke was the society's first treasurer and served in that position until retiring in 1952. He was a life member of the board of directors.

Zuehlke was also active in other business and civic activities in Appleton and served as chair of the Outagamie County Republican Party for many years. He died in February 1969.

The William Henry Zuehlke Papers concern his interest in the Outagamie County Republican Party, Outagamie County post offices, and the Appleton camp of the United Spanish War Veterans. The papers consist of correspondence, clippings, minutes of Republican meetings, and records of the Appleton United Spanish War Veterans camp and the Appleton Grand Army of the Republic post. Also included are genealogical records and documents concerning 19th century Appleton whose connection with Zuehlke are unclear.

A major portion of the papers pertains to the Outagamie County Republican Party between 1928 and 1932. Comprised mainly of correspondence, the materials concern post office patronage positions, selection and support of candidates, party reorganization, and conventions and conferences. A separate folder contains clippings and campaign materials from a 1930 referendum on whether Appleton should adopt a city manager form of government. Another folder contains letters concerning Zuehlke's recruitment of members for the National Republican League.

In 1923, Zuehlke began compiling a postal history of Outagamie County. The collection includes a few letters concerning this project.

At the time of his death, Zuehlke was one of the last living members of United Spanish War Veteran, Charles O. Baer Camp No. 3, Appleton. In his possession were records of the camp consisting of semi-annual reports to the Department of Wisconsin, letters pertaining to erection of a memorial monument, and miscellaneous other documents including a membership book of the Grand Army of the Republic, George D. Eggleston Post No. 133, Appleton, which was presented to the Baer Camp when the Post became inactive. A personal scrapbook of clippings and photographs concerning the Baer Camp is also included.

The documents whose connection with Zuehlke is unclear are found in a “Miscellaneous” folder. All were written by George C. and Elizabeth Weller Jones in the late 19th century. Included are genealogies of the Jones family and the Farquharson family, a petition on educating the working youth of Appleton, and a history of the establishment of a library and reading room in Appleton.

Edward G. Jones Papers (M76-067)

Acquisition Information

Presented by William Henry Zuehlke Jr., Appleton, Wisconsin, September 16, 1969. Accession Number: M69-291

Processing Information

Processed by Karen Baumann, March 7, 1972.

Green Bay Mss 26	National Republican League
Box   1 Folder   1	Correspondence, 1922-1923
Box   1 Folder   2	Outagamie County Postal History, 1923
	Outagamie County Republican Party
	General Papers
Box   1 Folder   3	1928-1930 July
Box   1 Folder   4	1930 August-1932
Box   1 Folder   5	Reference: City Manager Referendum, 1930
	United Spanish War Veterans
Box   1 Folder   6	General Papers, 1946-1963
Box   1 Folder   7	Scrapbook, undated
Box   1 Folder   8	Grand Army of the Republic Post 133 Membership Book, undated
Box   1 Folder   9	Miscellaneous, undated