The collection is mainly business records of the Independent Milwaukee Brewery as
compiled by Fred K. Elsner. As the company was a family business, consequently,
there are some personal records of the family as they relate to Fred and his wife,
Ordehlia. The collection is arranged into six series. The Advertisements series
consists of a variety of samples and clippings of the types of ads created and used.
The Correspondence contains business correspondence. Financial Records series
contains statements, notes and reports regarding audits, budgets, sales, prices and
statistics about the company’s finances and industry. The Legal series contains some
materials on a patent, court proceedings, property and documents regarding the final
closing and liquidation of the remainder of the company. The Personal series
contains materials from Fred and Ordehlia Elsner. Most of these are financial and
legal documents in regards to a trust Ordehlia’s father (Henry N. Bills) created
that Ordehlia and her brothers were trustees for. Fred often represented her
interests in the trust. The last series is Publications, which contains a variety of
booklets and articles related to brewing, beer and sales.
