The papers of Arnold W. Zander are separated into two parts. Both parts contain similar material. The materials received in the Archives in the 1960s make up the first two boxes and date 1896-1959. They are assigned call number Green Bay Mss 29. Part two consists of additions given to the archives primarily in 1972; the three boxes of the additions contain materials from 1822 to 1965. In addition to papers of Arnold W. Zander, the additions have genealogical material and the papers of Arnold W. Zander's father, William. The additions are assigned call number Green Bay Mss 44.
Part 1, Original Collection, 1896-1959
This part of the papers of Arnold W. Zander of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, contain his personal correspondence with noted socialist and money-reform (Greenback Party) leaders. In these letters are lengthy discussions of topics relative to these movements, e.g. federal bond and currency issues, cooperatives, federal and state programs for employment, and union problems. Although not complete, the papers provide an insight into the character of Arnold W. Zander, as well as a number of the political questions prominent during the first half of the twentieth century.
Also included are a number of unpublished manuscripts by Zander. His writings include one book-length manuscript, The Orthodox God, as well as essays and articles on socialism, the Greenback movement, religion, smoking, and drinking. There are a few financial records, along with miscellaneous groupings of material, such as the original patent of Zander's “Device for turning music leaves” and the drawings which accompanied the patent application.
The original materials presented to the Society contained many newspaper clippings, broadsides, pamphlets, books, etc. These have been transferred to the Historical Society Library for disposition.
Part 2, Additions, 1822-1965
The additions to the Arnold Zander papers consist of a few letters, some Xerox copies of genealogical records from two Zander family Bibles, writings, clippings and printed materials concerning socialism and monetary reform, some miscellaneous notes and financial records, minutes of the local Two Rivers Social Democratic Party, and a few items originally belonging to William Zander.
The genealogical entries recorded in the Zander family Bibles date from 1822 to 1888. The Bibles themselves have been returned to the donor, and Xerox copies of the pertinent pages have been filed with the papers.
The small correspondence file (1892-1958) includes letters dealing with social and economic reform “to the editor,” or exchanged with legislators and Greenback Party leaders, a letter to Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as letters of a more personal nature.
The writings include articles and drafts of “letters to the editor” on monetary reform, the question of interest, and Zander's philosophy in general.
Most of the clippings are from the Manitowoc Daily Herald-Times, The Milwaukee Journal, The Milwaukee Sentinel, and The Milwaukee Leader, a socialist newspaper. They include letters to the editor, periodical statements concerning the condition of local banks, and general articles dealing with socialism and the economy.
The file of printed material has been divided into circulars and near-print and serials and other published materials. The bulk of these items deal with economic reform and socialism. Other items in the collection include a few of Zander's personal notes (1918-1944), and 1905 financial records, and minutes of the Two Rivers Social Democratic Party (1904-1908).
The papers of William Zander preserved here consist of two ledgers containing business and personal records (1875-1896), and a set of building specifications for construction of a house (1886).
All the above files are arranged chronologically except for the serials and other published materials, which have been given an alphabetical arrangement by title.
