The John Bechtel family papers, spanning the years 1831 to 1883, are comprised of correspondence, envelopes, John Bechtel's business papers, the academic records of three of the Bechtel daughters, a funeral oration and several recipes.
Most of the correspondence is written in German from relatives still in Germany; it concerns family problems and personal news. The envelopes all bear U.S. postmarks, are mainly addressed to members of the Wollard family in Illinois, and are annotated with bits of genealogical information about the addressee. The business records include indentures, receipts for taxes paid to the Milwaukee City Treasurer, insurance certificates, and cancelled checks. The academic records for Bertha, Clara, and Emma Bechtel include report cards and receipts for tuition paid to St. Mary's Institute Day School in Milwaukee. Contained in the miscellany file are a funeral oration for Bertha Bechtel who died in 1882 as well as several recipes.
