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Call Number
CWM Mss 20

Title 
Moeller, Henry C. Jr. (1869-1956?). Papers, 1856-1956. (7.0 c.f., 3 archives boxes, 12 flat boxes, and one package)

History
The Henry C. Moeller Papers are essentially the business records of the Moeller family’s blacksmithing and wagon building companies. The records date to 1856, shortly after Henry C. Moeller Sr., 1828-1908 established his blacksmith and carriage shop (Moeller and Thuerer) in Baraboo. After the dissolution of Moeller and Thuerer, Henry Moeller Sr., started a carriage and wagon business of his own. In 1885 he was located on Fourth St. in Baraboo and his two sons, Henry Jr. and Corwin, became associated with him. Soon thereafter Moeller began building all types of circus wagons for A.G. Ringling and G. G. Gollmar, both of whom were his brothers-in-law. The most famous of their work was the heavy ornate wagons that were featured in circus parades. During the 1890’s the Moellers moved into a larger building on Third Ave where they employed from ten to fifteen people. This number greatly increased each winter when the Ringling Brothers Circus returned to Baraboo and their blacksmiths were hired by the Moellers. Henry and Corwin continued in the carriage and wagon business under the name Moeller Bros. after the death of their father in 1908.

In 1918 the Ringling Circus ceased returning to Baraboo for wintering. Moeller Bros. suffered a reduction in activity as a result, although it continued to build wagons for the Sparks and Does Fisk Circuses. Through out the years in which the Moellers were best known as makers circus wagons they also continued to build and repair carriages and other wagons. With the coming of the automobile much of their trade turned to auto and tire repair work.


Scope and Content
Although the collection contains account books and other financial records spanning virtually the entire history of the Moeller family operation, the period during which their name was best known for the manufacture of circus wagons is not well represented. Circus material in the collection includes several letters and invoices in the correspondence that were removed from the account books because they related directly to the manufacture of circus wagons and equipment rather than to the company’s general repair work. In addition, the 1919-1929 accounts also contain a record of wagon costs for the Sparks Shows and the account of a stake driver for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey. Personal accounts for Alf, Charles, Al, and Henry Ringling and for Dode Fisk are included in the 1906-1913 book.

Henry C. Moeller Jr.  was also a director of the Baraboo Mutual Fire Insurance Company formed in 1895. About this company the collection contains several ledgers and policy records. Annual statements of the company were not retained as a part of the papers, as they duplicated microfilmed records in Series 635 of the WHS archives.   

Presented by Henry C. Moeller, Baraboo, Wisconsin, September 5, 1957.

Container List
Box      Folder
1          1          Correspondence, 1872-1956, undated
            2          Clippings, 1948-1956
            3          Personal accounts, 1858-1955
                        Statements and receipts
            4                      1883-1884
            5                      1924-1928
                        Account books
2          1                      1856-1870
                                    1857-1876
            2                      1865-1869
            3                      1873-1876
3                                  1906-1913
4                                  1913-1919
5                                  1919-1921
6          1                      1928-1933
            2                      1934-1937
7                                  Bills and receipts, 1876-1883
                                    Invoices
8                                              1912
9                                              1916-1921
10                                            1921-1925
                                    Baraboo Mutual Insurance Company
11                                            Account book, 1895-1925
12                                            Record book, 1926-1934
13                                            Ledger, 1895-1926
                                                Policies Issued
14                                            1895-1915
15        1                                  1915-1923
            2                                  1923-1932
                        Account books
Package 1                    1879-1880