Title: August H. Zachau Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1857-1914

Creator:

• Zachau, August H., 1825-1914

Call Number: Superior Mss O

Quantity: 2.8 c.f. (7 archives boxes)

Repository:

Housed at the Area Research Center, Jim Dan Hill Library, University of Wisconsin-Superior; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

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

UW-Superior Jim Dan Hill Library / Superior Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

Papers of Zachau, a German immigrant and pioneer settler and entrepreneur in Superior, Wisconsin; consisting primarily of financial records from his activities as a merchant, general contractor and provisioner, and fur trader, plus some information on his personal activities and family events.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-sup000o

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August Herman Zachau, one of the pioneer white settlers of Superior, Wisconsin, was born to Johan Frederick and Barbara Krause Zachau, August 3, 1825 in Koenigsberg, East Prussia. Forced to flee Prussia after his involvement in the 1848 revolution, Zachau traveled to the United States and settled first in Chicago, where he continued his trade as cabinetmaker and carpenter.

In November 1853 Zachau arrived in Superior. He rapidly became involved in the building and development of the town and participated in many business and community activities. In his early years in Superior he worked as a carpenter, pile driver, and bridge builder. In the winter he transported provisions, fish, and furs between Superior and St. Paul. He built and managed the Nicolet Hotel until its destruction by fire, then operated a general store and mercantile business until the store, too, was destroyed in a fire. With the introduction of iron mining in the area, Zachau resumed his general contracting business and also dealt in cattle and ice. During the Civil War Zachau served as a second lieutenant in the Superior Home Guards, which guarded the area against possible Indian attacks during the Sioux war of 1862. He also held many town and county offices, among them sheriff of Douglas County for twelve years. Zachau belonged to many local clubs and organizations, including the Old Settlers Association, the Improved Order of Redmen (he was Keeper of Wampum), the Odd Fellows, Germania, and the Nemadji Cemetery Association. He remained active in his clubs and interested in family and business activities until his death on January 24, 1914.

August Zachau was married to Augusta Winter of Sheboygan. They had nine children, Carl (Charles), Herman A., August E., Frederick W., Theodore C., Edward Goethe, Frank Schiller, John, and Augusta C. F. (Mrs. Ernest Mast).

These records consist almost exclusively of the business records of Zachau's many mercantile enterprises. They include a barely-legible letterbook, daybooks, account books, and cash books dealing with Zachau's business ventures, 1857-1914. The daybooks deal with sales at his general store and with his hauling and plowing operations, and include a daily recording of the weather and the tasks of employees, most of whom were family members. Only the last six years of the records, 1907-January 1914, document personal activities and family events.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Mrs. Marie H. Springer, Superior, 1977. Accession Number: M77-319

Processing Information

Processed by Menzi Behrnd, August 22, 1978.

Box   1	Letterbook, 1869-1892
	Daybooks
Box   1	1868, May-September
Box   1	1870, March-July
Box   1	1871, September-1872, July
Box   1	1874, September-1875, June
Box   1	1876, January-1883, March
Box   2	1857, January-1865, November
Box   2	1868, September-1870, March
Box   3	1885, January-1886, September
Box   3	1890, October-1891, July
Box   3	1891, December
Box   3	1894, October-1897, April
Box   4	1897, April-October
Box   4	1902, July-December
Box   4	1903, May-November
Box   4	1904, May-October
Box   4	1905, January-March
Box   4	1907, May-December
Box   4	1908, December-1909, October
Box   4	1909, December
Box   5	1910, January-1911, January
Box   5	1911, April-October
Box   5	1912, January-February
Box   5	1912, December-1913, February
	Account Books
Box   6 Folder   1	1871-1892, 1891-1902
Box   6 Folder   2	William Schuster's Account Book, 1870-1898
	Cash Books
Box   6 Folder   3	1868-1896
Box   6 Folder   4	Furs and provisions, 1880-1881
Box   6 Folder   5	Ice, 1890-1892
Box   7 Folder   1	Beer Account Book, 1885
Box   7 Folder   2	Bills, 1870