Title: Herman G. Runge Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1874-1957

Creator:

• Runge, Herman

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 102

Quantity: 1.7 cubic ft. (5 boxes)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

Personal papers of Herman Runge, a Milwaukee area marine enthusiast who collected information about vessels and other facts on the Great Lakes. Contains correspondence, photographs, and statistical data.

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-lhmc0102

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Herman G. Runge was born in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, in 1874. His family moved to Milwaukee around 1880 and by 1889, Runge had begun his maritime hobby. He collected photographs, publications, and files on shipping and the Great Lakes. In 1903, Runge began work for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway as a storekeeper. When he retired in 1933, Runge focused on his hobby for the rest of his life. His collection included a card index of over 15,000 items, pictures of lake ships, and descriptions of vessels that included dimensions, tonnage, disposition, and other data. Through the years he became known as a national authority on the subject, even being consulted by the U.S. government. He died in 1958.

This collection contains the personal papers of Herman Runge. The bulk of Runge's work on the Great Lakes went to the Milwaukee Public Library's Great Lakes Marine Collection. Most of this collection deals with Runge's personal papers and other general information from his collection. This primarily includes correspondence with various individuals and institutions inquiring about vessels and other maritime matters, as well as other general notes he took on different topics, particularly those relating to the Great Lakes. Also included are personal photographs, family correspondence, railroad data and inquiries, financial documents, and advertisements and clippings on vessels and marine related companies.

The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject or personal name.

Runge, Herman G., Papers, 1874-1957, Collection 102. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Selections from the Great Lakes Marine Collection have been digitized and can be found in the Milwaukee Waterways digital collection.

Archival Collections

• Milwaukee Dry Dock Company Records. Local History Manuscript Collection 355.

• Shipshape Files. Great Lakes Marine Collection.

Publications and Other Items

The Age of Sail on the Great Lakes, 1678-1911 : A Compilation of Tables and Graphs

Shipyards of the Great Lakes

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

Herman Runge bequeathed his collection to the library in 1958. Materials accessioned as Local History Manuscripts.

Processing Information

Processed by Bob Jaeger, 2022.

Box   1 Folder   1	Advertisements and Clippings, circa 1900-1915
Box   4 Folder   1	Census Data, undated
Box   1 Folder   2	Coal/Ore Information, undated
Box   4 Folder   2	Cream City Mutual Fire Insurance Co., 1924-1947
Box   1 Folder   3	Elevators, undated
Box   4 Folder   3	Family Correspondence (not to/from Runge), 1874-1932
	Financial Information
Box   1 Folder   4	Investment Security Brokers (banks), 1906-1951
Box   1 Folder   5	National City Company, 1919-1930
Box   1 Folder   6	Notebooks, circa 1940-1955
Box   1 Folder   7-8	Personal Expenses, circa 1930-1954
Box   4 Folder   4	Stock Information, 1917-1951
Box   4 Folder   5	Freight, 1934-1944
Box   4 Folder   6	General Marine Information and Notes, undated
Box   1 Folder   9	Historical Societies, 1938-1954
Box   1 Folder   9	Itineraries/Schedules, circa 1930-1940
Box   4 Folder   7	Lake Launches, 1902-1911
Box   4 Folder   8	Lake Levels, 1912-1934
Box   2 Folder   1	Libraries and Museums, 1930-1953
Box   2 Folder   2-4	Marine/Vessel Inquiries (general), 1928-1955
Box   2 Folder   5	Miscellaneous, 1918-1955, undated
Box   2 Folder   6-7	Notebooks, undated
Box   2 Folder   8	Old Settlers' Club of Milwaukee/Settlers Club of Wisconsin, 1929-1957
Box   3 Folder   1	Outgoing Correspondence, 1907-1946, undated
Box   4 Folder   9	Parents, estates/burials, 1897-1954
	Personal
Box   3 Folder   2	Correspondence, 1902-1957, undated
Box   5	Photographs, 1931-1936
Box   3 Folder   3	Photograph Index, undated
Box   3 Folder   4	Publishers, 1936-1953
	Railroads/Locomotives
Box   3 Folder   5	Daily Report of Cars on Hand, 1922-1927
Box   3 Folder   6	Inquiries, 1919-1951
Box   4 Folder   10	Milwaukee Road, 1908-1950
Box   5	Photographs, undated
Box   4 Folder   11	Statistics/Information, circa 1930-1950
Box   4 Folder   12	Responses, 1901-1937
Box   3 Folder   7	Schamell, Otto A., 1946-1957
Box   3 Folder   8	Schools and Universities, 1933-1956
Box   3 Folder   9	Springer, George T., 1944-1952
Box   4 Folder   13	Vessel Data, undated
Box   4 Folder   14	Wrecks/Losses, undated
Box   3 Folder   10	Yewdale, Percy S., notebooks, undated