Title: Otto J. and Louise A. Schoenleber Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1884–1967

Creators:

• Schoenleber, Otto J., 1858-1927
• Schoenleber, Louise A.

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 320

Quantity: 1.0 cubic ft. (4 boxes)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

This collection is the personal papers of Milwaukee natives father and daughter, Otto J. and Louise A. Schoenleber.

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-lhmc0320

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Otto J. Schoenleber was born to Adolph and Margaretha Schoenleber on 16 October 1858 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Otto’s parents were immigrants from Baden, Germany, and upon settling in the Milwaukee area in 1848, became some of the first settlers of Milwaukee. Adolph was a cabinet and furniture maker, a trade he passed on to his son. When Adolph retired in 1886, Otto took over the family business. He continued the furniture business until 1894, when he decided to try his hand at a different trade: chocolate. Schoenleber established Ambrosia Chocolate Company on 9 May 1894. The company was very successful and remained a Milwaukee institution until 1964, when it was bought by W. R. Grace & Co.

In addition to his success as a businessman, Otto Schoenleber was a respected civic leader and was involved in many Milwaukee organizations. He was a founding member of the West Side Bank, serving on its board of directors for many years. He was a member of the Old Settlers Club and the Wisconsin Club (Deutsche Club). He was a Milwaukee School Board Commissioner from 1891 to 1897 and served on the local draft board during World War I. He enjoyed music and was a long-standing member of the Milwaukee Musical Society. He was president of several local organizations: the Milwaukee Liedenkranz in 1890, the Milwaukee Homecoming Association in 1909, and the Milwaukee Auditorium Company Board from 1915 to 1918. He also helped plan events for the Solomon Juneau Centennial Celebration in 1918. Otto Schoenleber died 4 February 1927.

Otto J. Schoenleber married Emma Theede in 1887. They had three daughters, Gretchen, Marie, and Louise. Gretchen succeeded Otto as head of Ambrosia Chocolate and remained in the post until her death in 1953. Louise A. Schoenleber was born 24 March 1893. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1914. Louise was employed by Milwaukee Public Library from 1915 until 1931. She died in May of 1986.

The items in this collection represent manuscript materials of Otto J. and Louise A. Schoenleber from 1884 to 1967. Materials created by Otto include documentation of his political involvements and his service in Milwaukee organizations. Very little of the material pertains to the operation of Ambrosia Chocolate Company. Materials created by Louise A. Schoenleber document her involvement with the Milwaukee Public Library, postcard collection, and her attendance at various social events.

The collection is arranged into the following series:

1. Manuscript Materials, 1884–1967
2. Photographs, 1890–1922
3. Postcards, 1898-1947

Series and subjects are generally arranged alphabetically, then chronologically.

Schoenleber, Otto J. and Louise A., Papers, 1884-1967, Collection 320. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Schoenleber Memorial Clock Tower

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.

Processing Information

Processed by Meghan Jensen, fieldworker, 2007. Updated by Casey Lapworth, 2019.

	Series: 1. Manuscript Materials, 1884-1967 Scope and Content Note: Manuscript Materials, contains materials such as committee records, letters, pamphlets, brochures, publications, and certificates. The date span is 1884 to 1967.
Box   1 Folder   1	American Library Association Annual Conference Program, 1942
Box   1 Folder   2	Arbor Day, 1891-1958
Box   1 Folder   3	Athletic Events, 1910, undated
Box   1 Folder   4	Banquet for President Grover Cleveland, 1887
Box   1 Folder   5	Banquet Programs, 1899-1959
Box   1 Folder   6	Calvary Presbyterian Church, Publications, 1906-1939
Box   1 Folder   7	Charity Baazar Association, German-Language Publications, 1916, 1921
Box   1 Folder   8	Citizen’s Committee of 75, Milwaukee Public Library Certificate, 1953
Box   1 Folder   9	Cleveland Club, Invitation, 1884
Box   1 Folder   10	Correspondence, 1909-1922
Box   1 Folder   11	Freie Gemeinde of Milwaukee, Centennial Program, 1967
Box   4 Folder   1	Local Draft Board, Appointment Certificate, 1917
Box   1 Folder   12	Local Draft Board, Division 2, 1917-1918
Box   1 Folder   13	Milwaukee Advertising Board, Torch, 1951
Box   1 Folder   14	Milwaukee Auditorium Company, 1926
Box   1 Folder   15	Milwaukee Public Library, 75th Anniversary Open House, 1953
Box   4 Folder   2	News Clippings (Copies), 1889-1958
Box   4 Folder   3	News Clippings (Originals), 1889-1958
Box   1 Folder   16	Publications, Milwaukee History, 1892-1964
Box   1 Folder   17	Publications, Miscellaneous, 1961, undated
Box   2 Folder   1	Rules and Regulations of the Milwaukee School Board, 1891
Box   2 Folder   2	Solomon Juneau Centennial Celebration, 1917 – 1918, 1917-1918
Box   2 Folder   3	Solomon Juneau Centennial, Dinner Menu, 1918
Box   2 Folder   4	Theatre Programs, 1909-1910
Box   2 Folder   5	Third Street Library, Children’s Book Week Project, 1928
Box   2 Folder   6	World War I Letters, 1918-1919
	Series: 2. Photographs, 1890-1928 Scope and Content Note: Photographs, includes images of the businesses and residences of Adolph and Otto J. Schoenleber and events that pertain to the community involvement of Otto and Louise Schoenleber. The date span is 1890 to 1922.	⇧
Box   2 Folder   7	Banquet for Edward A. Uhrig, 1922
Box   2 Folder   8	Local Draft Board No. 2, 1917
Box   3 Folder   42	Milwaukee City Hall, pre-1900
Box   2 Folder   9	Milwaukee Library Club, 1917
Box   2 Folder   10	Furniture Store and Residence of Adolph Schoenleber, undated, undated
Box   3 Folder   43	Schoenleber and Theede Residence, undated
Box   4 Folder   4	Schoenleber Children and Residence, circa 1891
Box   2 Folder   11	Schoenleber Family and Residence, 1890
Box   2 Folder   12	Schoenleber Residences and Decorated Storefront, 1891
Box   2 Folder   13	School Board Picnic, 1891
Box   4 Folder   5	School Board Picnic, 1891
Box   4 Folder   6	School Board Picnic, Men, 1928
	Third Street Library, Children’s Book Week Project
Box   3 Folder   44	One person, 1928
Box   3 Folder   45	Two children, 1928
Box   3 Folder   46	One child with costume and beard, 1928
Box   3 Folder   47	One child with wig, shield, and sword, 1928
Box   3 Folder   48	One child with shepherd’s crook, 1928
Box   3 Folder   49	One child in Native American costume, 1928
Box   3 Folder   50	One child in frontier costume, 1928, 1928
Box   3 Folder   51	One child in apron, 1928
Box   3 Folder   52	One child in pirate costume, 1928
Box   3 Folder   53	One child in fringed costume, 1928
	Series: 3. Postcards, 1898-1947 Scope and Content Note: Postcards, is Louise A. Schoenleber’s postcard collection, documenting Milwaukee landmarks and parks. Some of the postcards are addressed to various members of the Schoenleber family. The postcards span 1898 to 1947.	⇧
Box   3 Folder   1	Milwaukee Homecoming, 1909
Box   3 Folder   2	Alhambra Theatre, 1908
Box   3 Folder   3	Chicago & North-Western Depot, 1911
Box   3 Folder   4-6	City Hall [Milwaukee], 1898-1917
Box   3 Folder   7	East Side High School, Milwaukee, 1908
Box   3 Folder   8	The Enterprise Bldg., Milwaukee, Wis., 1908
Box   3 Folder   9	First Wisconsin National Bank, undated
Box   3 Folder   10	Grand Avenue, Milwaukee, 1903
Box   3 Folder   11	Leif Erickson Monument, Juneau Park, Milwaukee, 1909
Box   3 Folder   12	Juneau Park and C. & N. W. Depot from water front, Milwaukee, Wis., 1908
Box   3 Folder   13	A glimpse of Lake Park, Milwaukee, Wis. , 1947
Box   3 Folder   14	Lion Bridge and Light House, Lake Park, Milwaukee, Wis., 1925
Box   3 Folder   15	South Entrance to Lake Park, Milwaukee, 1905
Box   3 Folder   16	Lake Drive showing the Water Tower in the Distance, Milwaukee, 1917
Box   3 Folder   17	Boathouse, Mitchell Park, Milwaukee, 1911
Box   3 Folder   18	Sunken Gardens, Mitchell Park, Milwaukee, 1917
Box   3 Folder   19	Sunken Gardens, Mitchell Park, Milwaukee, 1911
Box   3 Folder   20	Muskego Lake House, near Milwaukee, Wis., 1909
Box   3 Folder   21	North Side High School, Milwaukee, 1908
Box   3 Folder   22	Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., Building, Milwaukee, Wis., 1923
Box   3 Folder   23	Public Library and Museum, Milwaukee, 1911
Box   3 Folder   24	Public Library and Museum, Milwaukee, 1923
Box   3 Folder   25	Goodrich Steamer, City of Racine, 1907
Box   3 Folder   26-27	Republican House, Milwaukee, 1911-1923
Box   3 Folder   28	Schlitz Brewing Co., Milwaukee, Wis., 1908
Box   3 Folder   29	Schlitz Hotel, Milwaukee, 1908
Box   3 Folder   30	Soldiers’ Monument, Grand Ave. [Milwaukee], 1903
Box   3 Folder   31-32	Washington Monument, Milwaukee, 1908-1923
Box   3 Folder   33	A Concert Day, Washington Park, Milwaukee, 1908
Box   3 Folder   34	Goethe – Schiller Monument, Washington Park, Milwaukee, 1911
Box   3 Folder   35	Washington Park Race Course, Milwaukee, Wis., 1923
Box   3 Folder   36	Wells Building, Milwaukee, 1908
Box   3 Folder   37	West Park, Milwaukee, 1903
Box   3 Folder   38	West Side High School, Milwaukee, Wis., 1907
Box   3 Folder   39-40	Whitefish Bay Resort, Milwaukee, 1904, undated
Box   3 Folder   41	Scene on Wisconsin St., looking east, Milwaukee, Wis., 1911