Finding Aid for Schwanke Family First World War Correspondence 2017.108.w.r

Rob Strauss

Center for American War Letters Archives

07/29/17

Leatherby Libraries

Chapman University

Orange, CA 92866

speccoll@chapman.edu

URL: http://www1.chapman.edu/library/archives/

Contributing Institution: Center for American War Letters Archives

Title: Schwanke family First World War correspondence

source: Maringer, Richard

source: Schwanke, Charles A. , 1889-1964

Identifier/Call Number: 2017.108.w.r

Physical Description: .055 Linear feet (2 folders)

Date (inclusive): 1917 December 4 - 1919 April 10

Abstract: This collection contains correspondence written by several authors to the Schwanke family during the First World War. Much of the correspondence is from or concerning Pvt. Charles Schwanke, USA, who served with the 104th Infantry Regiment of the 26th Infantry Division.

Language of Material: English .

Container: WWI 5

Container: 1-2

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Richard C. Maringer

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by material type, author, and date. Series 1: Correspondence to Schwanke Family – Series 2: Wisconsin State Guard papers

Biographical / Historical

Private Charles Schwanke, United States Army (b. 11/27/1889) was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was 27 when he filled out his draft registration card for the First World War. Records show that Schwanke served with Company K of the 104th Infantry in France. He sailed home from Brest, France on the USS Mount Vernon in March of 1919 and arrived in Boston on April 4, 1919.

Military records suggest that Schwanke may have had a son, Roland, who died during the Second World War.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Schwanke family First World War correspondence (2017.108.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Content Description

This collection contains correspondence, including a letter and postcards, to the Schwanke family during the First World War. A majority of the correspondence is from or concerning Pvt. Charles Schwanke, USA who was serving in France. The majority of the letters are addressed to Charles' brother Herbert Schwanke in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There are also several documents concerning the activities of the Wisconsin State Guard.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

World War (1914-1918)

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Maringer, Richard

Schwanke, Charles A. , 1889-1964

box WWI 5, folder 1, folder 1

Series 1, Correspondence to Schwanke Family 1917-1919

Physical Description: .030 Linear Feet(1 folder)

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains one letter and eight postcards sent to the Schwanke family during the First World War. Much of the correspondence is from or concerning Pvt. Charles Schwanke, AEF who served in France during the First World War

In one postcard from December 26th, 1918, Charles Schwanke writes to Herbert about President Woodrow Wilson eating Christmas dinner with members of the 26th Infantry Division, of which Schwanke was a member.

In another postcard, Schwanke writes to his brother about returning home from France.

There are also two postcards from Schwanke to his mother and brother announcing his safe arrival overseas.

box WWI 5, folder 2, folder 2

Series 2, Wisconsin State Guard papers 1918 May 22 - 1918 June 21

Physical Description: .025 Linear Feet(1 folder)

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains papers mentioning the activities of Company G of the 7th Infantry Regiment of the Wisconsin State Guard. There is also a lyric sheet to a song.