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Arthur von Briesen Papers

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Von Briesen

Arthur von Briesen, born into German aristocracy in 1843, came to the United States after completing his early education in northern Germany in 1858. He is said to have lived through bouts of extreme poverty while his family struggled to settle in their adoptive country. After responding to President Lincoln's call for troops and fighting with the First New York Volunteer Engineers, von Briesen returned to New York City and worked for Scientific American. A highly resourceful and ambitious man, von Briesen simultaneously studied law at New York University and was admitted to the Bar in 1868. By 1874 von Briesen ran his own firm, practicing patent law primarily. Sixteen years after his immigration, Arthur von Briesen had established himself as a distinguished lawyer.

As a German immigrant, von Briesen took great interest in the German-American community in New York City as well as in other areas of the United States. He was active in a number of organizations and publications meant to speak to and on the behalf of immigrated Germans. Such organizations included the Deutscher Gesellig-wissenschaftlicher Verein, Deutsches Hospital, Liederkranz, and Deutsche Gesellschaft. His interests and philanthropic energies, however, were not exclusively German. As a leading member of the Good Government Club, von Briesen carried an influential voice in municipal as well as state legislation. Von Briesen was president of the Legal Aid Society (1890), president of the Political and Citizens Union (1896), chairman of the Ellis Island Investigating Committee (1903), president of the New York Roosevelt League (1904), and a delegate to the Universal Congress of Lawyers and Jurists in St. Louis (1904). He also served on various committees and was a member of a number of charity organizations in New York City. For the services rendered to the French and German citizens of New York in connection with the Legal Aid Society, von Briesen received the Cross of the Legion of Honor from the French government in 1905, and the Order of the Crown of Prussia from Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1906.

Arthur von Briesen's greatest deed and gift to New York City was indeed his dedication and impassioned involvement as President of the Legal Aid Society. As stated in the organization's constitution of 1908, its purpose was, "to render legal aid, gratuitously if necessary, to all who appear worthy thereof, and who are unable to procure assistance elsewhere and to promote measures for their protection." The Society's aim was to avoid litigation through negotiation, saving the client both time and money. The Legal Aid Society was originally founded as the Der Deutsche Rechts-Schutz-Verein in 1876 by a group of German citizens concerned with the abuses and hardships of newly arrived (German) immigrants in New York. Arthur von Briesen's rise to the Society's presidency in 1889 marked the beginnings of a larger movement in legal aid around the country. In the immediate decades thereafter, branches of the Legal Aid Society appeared in other larger cities around the country.

Arthur von Briesen resigned as president of the Legal Aid Society in 1916 due to his views on the World War, then in progress. Not entirely convinced that Germany was to blame for the war, von Briesen did not want his views to threaten the future of the Legal Aid Society. Although not present in this collection, von Briesen is said to have published a number of pro-German articles (or at least calls for American neutrality--references to these are made in Series 6 of this collection) in 1914, and in 1915/6 his name was associated with the pro-German activities of George Viereck. Von Briesen became active in a number of organizations engaged in relieving the hardships wrought by war in Europe--medical aid and food shipments, primarily. And as the war worsened and exchanges with his family in Germany grew dimmer and disheartening, von Briesen too became disheartened. He died shortly after the War's close, in May 1920.

The bulk of the papers are dedicated to Arthur von Briesen's general interest and work in philanthropy and politics, both within and beyond the municipal realm of New York City. The files of the Legal Aid Society, of which von Briesen was President for over twenty-five years, make up more than half of this collection and are for the most part complete. As Legal Aid Society President, von Briesen participated in all aspects of the organization--administration, finance, publicity, the activities of its six branches, and individual case work. The collection therefore holds the Legal Aid financial files, much of its case work, and extensive correspondence between von Briesen and the Society's various directors and attorneys. The rest of the collection consists of files from his own law firm as well as from the various professional, charitable, and cultural organizations in which he took part, including the National Roosevelt League (he served as president), the Merchants' Association of New York City, Germanistic Society of America (von Briesen was a charter member), and Civil War veterans organizations. Also found are papers, printed material, and correspondence regarding German-American activities before, during, and after the First World War. Nearly half of the Arthur von Briesen Papers appear in German with only a few documents translated. The hand-written correspondence is at times difficult to read as some of it is in old German script ("Kurrent").

The Arthur von Briesen Papers were purchased from the Warshaw Collection of Business Americana in 1947 by the Princeton University Library (Accession Number: AM13411). These papers are known to be incomplete as Mr. Warshaw--on a tip from a house wrecking concern--was unable to salvage all the records.

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

This collection was processed by Marta A. Hanewald in June 1993. Finding aid written by Marta A. Hanewald in June 1993.

No appraisal information is available.

Publisher
Public Policy Papers
Finding Aid Author
Marta A. Hanewald
Finding Aid Date
1997
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

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Collection Inventory

Arrangement

No arrangement action taken or arrangement information not recorded at the time of processing.

Scope and Contents

The letters in this series are arranged alphabetically, and then chronologically. The bulk of this series dates from 1914 until his death in 1920 and the date span determines the correspondence's topics. It includes correspondence with friends and family in Germany which discuss his views about the war, as well as his interest in related events and political attitudes. Topics include the plight of war-embroiled Europe, treaty implications, American neutrality, the increasing discrimination against German-Americans in New York City, matters of wartime legal and trade interests, and the organization of various relief groups.

There are also letters which depict another side of von Briesen's time and person. The Turnbridge correspondence, for example, highlights von Briesen's dedication in helping the needy and presents the patient, caring and creative side of him. (Turnbridge was a "schizophrenic" elderly woman who relied on von Briesen's correspondence and support.) Among other items of this sort, there are many letters which reveal von Briesen's concern for the poor, the homeless, and orphaned children.

Also worth mentioning are some letters concerning the Legal Aid Society: In a letter to Kennedy Tod in 1916, von Briesen offers the only explanation of his resignation from the Legal Aid Society in the entire collection. In 1919, von Briesen also writes Hughes (his successor as President of the Legal Aid Society) and Leonard McGee (Attorney-in-Chief of the Legal Aid Society). In his letters to the latter, von Briesen reprimands McGee and the organization in general for abandonment of the moral pursuits of the Society.

There are a few publications about the history of Legal Aid in the United States with most of them focusing on New York City and the achievements of Arthur von Briesen. One such book, The Legal Aid Society: 1876-1951 by Harrison Tweed, the husband of von Briesen's daughter Barbara, is introduced by another, earlier author of a piece on the Legal Aid Society, Reginald Heber Smith ( Justice and the Poor).

Two folders entitled "Quirksome Arthur von Briesen" highlights the eccentric, humorous, and creative side of von Briesen. He pokes and chastises his cobbler and tailor as well as himself, orders exotic wines and animals for his lavish Staten Island estate, writes corny and touching poetry to friends and family, in addition to other amusing items.

Physical Description

3 boxes

A, 1914-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Altman, B, 1917-1918. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Argus Press Clipping Bureau, 1916. 1 folder.
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1 folder

B, 1916-1919. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Bag - Ban, 1908-1920. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Bandelier, Fanny R, 1916-1918. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Be, 1909-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Boardman, Catherine, 1916. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Bo - Br, 1916-1926. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Bur - Bus, 1916-1919. 1 folder.
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1 folder

C, undated. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Carnegie Foundation, 1911-1919. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Cal - Cam, 1907-1920. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Car - Cor, 1912-1917. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Cra - Crl, 1911-1918. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Cro - Cut, 1916-1920. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Cromwell, George, 1907. 1 folder.
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1 folder

D, 1916-1919. 1 folder.
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1 folder

E, 1916-1920. 1 folder.
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1 folder

F, 1912-1919. 1 folder.
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1 folder

G, 1916-1919. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Hag - Hau, 1908-1919. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Hemphill, Alexander, 1918. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Hea - Hum, 1908-1920. 1 folder.
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1 folder

J, 1916-1920. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Logan, 1919. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Lorleberg, Laura, 1920. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Lutz, Charles and Willi, 1916-1919. 1 folder.
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1 folder

K, 1908-1920. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Kaiserlich Deutsches Generalkonsulat (Imperial German Consulate General), 1914-1916. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Knapp, Lucien and Kuttroff, Adolf, 1911-1919. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Kingman, 1916. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Knauth, 1908-1920. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Kolff, Cornelius, 1906-1920. 1 folder.
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1 folder

La - Le, 1918. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Li - Ly, 1914-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Ma - Mc, 1911-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Me - Mu, 1907-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

McGee, Leonard, 1917-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Mordecai, Gertrude, 1903-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

N, 1906-1920. 1 folder.
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1 folder

O, 1916. 1 folder.
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1 folder

P, 1918-1919. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Probst, Ilse, 1917-1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Putnam, G. H, 1907-1911. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Quirksome Arthur Von Briesen, 1906-1917. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Quirksome Arthur Von Briesen, 1920. 1 folder.
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1 folder

R, 1909-1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Reynders, C, 1920. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Riis, Jacob A, 1911-1918. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1917-1918. 1 folder.
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1 folder

S, 1905-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schoenstadt, Arthur, 1916-1917. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schepp, Leo, 1917-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schirmer, Otilie, 1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schlegel, Philippa, 1913-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schlender, Otto, 1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schling, Max, 1918-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schneider, Anna, 1918. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schweitzer, Hugo and Adele, 1909-1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schraeder, Lucy, 1913. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schurz, Carl L, 1895-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Shepherd, William, 1916-1917. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Shortt, William, 1911. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Siemers, Edmund, 1916. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Smyth, Nathan, 1916-1917. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Stoiber, Louis, 1916-1917. 1 folder.
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1 folder

Shess, John L, 1917-1919. 1 folder.
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1 folder

T, 1916-1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Tod, J. Kennedy, 1916-1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Tombo, Rudolf, 1917-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Townsend, F.C., 1918-1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Tucker, Lillian C, 1916-1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Turnbridge, Virginia, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Turnbridge, Virginia, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

U, 1916-1917. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

unidentified, undated. 1 folder.
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1 folder

V, 1916-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Viereck, George, 1917-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Von Briesen, Arthur, 1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

W, 1914-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Wachter, Ferdinand, 1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Wagner, Theodore B. and Caroline, 1919-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Werthheimer, S, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

West Publishing Company, 1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Wiebusch, Charles F, 1918-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Wiesel, Peter, 1917-1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Writings, 1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Writings, 1914-1915. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Y, 1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Arrangement

No arrangement action taken or arrangement information not recorded at the time of processing.

Scope and Contents

This series consists of seven types of material arranged alphabetically which together reveal the Legal Aid Society as it functioned during the last ten years of von Briesen's Presidency. Von Briesen became its President in 1890, although the earlier years of his term are not represented in this collection. The papers in this series are from the office of the President (von Briesen) and therefore should not be considered the complete files of the Legal Aid Society. Von Briesen was, however, interested and dedicated to all aspects of the Society, the welfare of its directors and attorneys in its branch offices, as well as the people it served throughout New York City and beyond.

The Administrative Files hold the papers and correspondence of the Legal Aid Society officers and directors, arranged alphabetically, as well as committee activities and papers, correspondence from the branch offices, and official bulletins and reports. Within these areas, the files are arranged chronologically. The bulk dates of these papers are 1905-1914. The following is important to note: Arthur von Briesen, as President, corresponded with all members of the Society as well as many of its clients. His papers in this series detail everything from committee appointments to resignations, and include individual case work, his work to allay tensions among the Society's other administrators, and public relations work.

The papers of the various officers throughout the years warrant brief description. Some folders list both the name and position held by the person while others are headed with just a name. In most cases this is due to an overlapping of responsibilities and functions. Most of the officers and directors of the Legal Aid Society served on one or more committees and their correspondence with von Briesen demonstrate a large breadth of information.

  1. Merrill E. Gates--Attorney-in-Chief from 1907-1909.
  2. J. Augustus Johnson--Chairman of the Branch for Seamen and the Chairman of the Immigration Committee. See also committee-work under the heading Immigration Committee.
  3. Cornelius Kitchel--Attorney-in-Chief in 1905 serving until 1907. In 1913, he became Secretary. His position was very valuable and ranged from case work to congressional interests
  4. Leonard McGee--Attorney-in-Chief beginning in 1910; a January 1912 letter lists attorneys working under him in the various branches.
  5. Carl Schurz--(son of the famous 1848 German revolutionary) Vice President of the Society beginning in 1906 and Chairman of the Harlem Branch for some time. Von Briesen's correspondence to Schurz of April 10, 1912, gives the latter an "Inspection of the Seven Offices,"--the only complete reference to the Society in relation to its branch offices.
  6. Louis Stoiber--director of the Society almost since its beginning as the Deutscher Rechtsschutzverein. His correspondence to von Briesen was very open and quite frank about the developments and tensions within the Legal Aid Society. His dedication to Legal Aid is almost as unwavering as that of von Briesen's; he virtually began and maintained the Brooklyn Branch with his own funds and many of his papers document this. Stoiber was an outspoken member of the Society as well as a good friend of von Briesen. His letters are heated and at time border on sycophantic.
  7. Charles Wiebusch--Chairman of the Harlem Branch in 1905, of the Publication Committee, Secretary, and interim-Treasurer, 1914-1915.
  8. Louis Windmüller--Treasurer who died in 1914.

The Press Agent folder (the press agent was affiliated with the Main Office which was maintained by the Attorney-in-Chief) consists of interesting discussion of Legal Aid issues and the importance of their publication. The folders regarding committee work and branch offices require little explanation. The work done by Johnson and the Immigration Committee is noteworthy, however, and at the time greatly appreciated by von Briesen and the New York community at large and especially its immigrants. Johnson wrote a number of articles about "The Problem of Immigration," in which he stressed the importance of the "distribution of these immigrants for the good of the state." The committee (led by Johnson) did extensive work with the railroad systems in the East, making transportation more comfortable, easier and safer for immigrants travelling westward. The Bulletins and Reports folder holds only a few of those that must have circulated during von Briesen's administration.

Materials relating to the Alliance of Legal Aid Societies of America consist of correspondence between Arthur von Briesen and other lawyers and academics across the United States interested in Legal Aid work and the formation of a national alliance of Legal Aid Societies. Through close work with the Legal Aid Society of Chicago, von Briesen became the President of the Alliance of Legal Aid Society's of America, though his date of election is unclear.

The Benefit Events file consists of letters concerning the concerts and performances sponsored by the Legal Aid Society in order to raise money. The Cases file is arranged chronologically. The Financial Files consist of correspondence between the Treasurer (Windmüller) and Arthur von Briesen, financial reports and the fund raising activities of von Briesen. The Printed Material files contain both articles and press releases written by von Briesen and others.

Physical Description

5 boxes

Administrative--Briesen, Arthur Von (President), 1904-1917. 6 folders.
Physical Description

6 folders

Administrative--Briesen, Arthur Von (President), 1900-1914. 3 folders.
Physical Description

3 folders

Administrative--Everett, A. Leo (Secretary), 1908-1913. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Gates, Merrill E. (Attorney-in-Chief), 1907-1909. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Administrative--Johnson, J. Augustus, 1905-1913. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Kitchel, Cornelius, 1905-1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--MacKenzie, Colin (Auditor), 1907-1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--McGee, Leonard (Attorney-in-Chief), 1910-1914. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Administrative--Schurtz, Carl (Vice-President), 1905-1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Stoiber, Louis, 1905. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Stoiber, Louis, 1907-1913. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Taussig, Walter (Secretary), 1905. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Wardell, Allen (Treasurer), 1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Wiebusch, Charles, 1904-1907. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Windmuller, Louis (Treasurer), 1907-1913. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Press Agent(s), 1909-1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Immigration Committee, 1911-1913. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Law Committee, 1905-1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Branch for Seamen, 1905-1913. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Brooklyn Branch, 1907-1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--East Side Branch, 1905-1913. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Harlem Branch, 1907-1913. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Nominating Committee, 1905-1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Uptown Branch, 1905. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--West Side Branch, 1913. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Bulletins and Reports, 1905-1912. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Administrative--Miscellaneous, 1905. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Alliance of Legal Aid Societies of America, 1905-1912. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Alliance of Legal Aid Societies of America--Convention of the Legal Aid Societies, 1912-1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Alliance of Legal Aid Societies of America, 1913-1916. 3 folders.
Physical Description

3 folders

Benefit Events, 1905-1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Cases, 1910-1917. 8 folders.
Physical Description

8 folders

Cases, 1904-1909. 9 folders.
Physical Description

9 folders

Financial Files--Correspondence with Treasurer, 1907-1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Financial Files--Financial Reports, 1905-1915. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Financial Files--Fundraising, 1902-1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Printed Material--Newspaper Clippings, 1905-1909. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Printed Material--Articles/Press Releases, 1906-1918. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Arrangement

No arrangement action taken or arrangement information not recorded at the time of processing.

Scope and Contents

Only four major cases comprise the legal files of von Briesen and Schrenk and one (Cumaná & Carúpano Pier and Tramway Co.) was handled by von Briesen's son after von Briesen's death. All are patent cases.

The Cumaná & Carúpano Pier and Tramway Company files consist of correspondence between the company and other sources (such as their clients and shareholders). Von Briesen's law firm, Briesen & Knauth (later Briesen & Schrenk) served as counsel to the Cumaná & Carúpano Pier & Tramway Co. which operated lighthouses, piers, and power plants in Venezuela. Most of the correspondence was handled by Otto van Schrenk who also served as a director and officer of the company. Von Briesen seems to have no direct relation to the company; the records continue long after his death, and there is no clear reason for these records to have been in von Briesen's papers. Records relate to income, stock, finances, tax status of the company. Among the items present are annual reports, financial audits, and general correspondence.

Physical Description

1 box

Briesen and Schrenk - Cases - W.P. Dunham, 1920-1922. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Briesen and Schrenk - Correspondence, 1907-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Briesen and Schrenk - Cases - George Sardou, 1923. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Briesen and Schrenk - Cases - Paul Goffart, 1920-1923. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Briesen and Knauth/Briesen and Schrenk Cumana and Carupano Pier and Tramway Co, 1910-1919. 4 folders.
Physical Description

4 folders

Arrangement

No arrangement action taken or arrangement information not recorded at the time of processing.

Scope and Contents

This series is arranged topically by subject, and then chronologically. It contains information on von Briesen's many areas of work and interest, including his efforts to shape legislation, his activities within the German-American community, and his World War I reflections and opinions.

The nature of the legislative interests (federal and state) are various and span a number of years which indicates his devotion and general interest in political affairs and the welfare of America's citizens. Issues include immigration policies, loan shark bills, and domestic patent statutes.

The nature of the international patent and trade issues are just that -- the major issues are the Panama trade zone, Cuban patent rights and patent and trade freedom with Germany and the rest of Europe.

The Carl Holland files detail the dire straits in which post-war Germany found itself. Carl Holland came to the United States trying to develop business transactions to help Germany out of starvation and disaster. Von Briesen corresponded with Holland before the latter came to the United States, and besides trying to establish contacts for Holland, he discussed at length the situation in Germany and that country's relations with other European states and the United States. The coal issue (a central issue due to Germany's loss of Alsace Lorraine) as well as the desperate situation with transportation are discussed in detail.

There are a series of clippings which have to do with the performance of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar on 28 March 1916. Apparently the performance was organized through the German Theater (Deutsches Theater) and von Briesen was its spokesperson. In one of the clippings, he is quoted at length in the Volkszeitung for expressing his feelings towards "Deutschtum" and the hope that the world could continue to be brought together, regardless of nationality, through art and science. The efforts of the German Theater underscore this idea.

The War Issues file contains information on diverse issues and all are intensely debated by von Briesen. Issues discussed include: discrimination against German-Americans in America and particularly New York City; the morality of the Red Cross; von Briesen's response to anti-German propaganda; the legal implications of European treaty obligations; von Briesen's insistence on American neutrality. Newspaper clippings document these issues as well.

Physical Description

2 boxes

International Patent and Trade Issue, 1906-1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Congressional Interests (State and Federal), 1905-1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Kladderadatsch", 1915. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

US Relief to Germany (re: Dr. Alice Hamilton), 1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

German Bazaar in Aid of War--Sufferers of the Central Powers, 1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

German Bazaar in Aid of War--Sufferers of the Central Powers, 1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Infantile Paralysis--Correspondence, 1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Infantile Paralysis--Newspaper Clippings, 1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Municipal Legislation--"Sunday Law", 1895. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Staten Island, 1907-1911. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Awards, 1905-1913. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Carl Holland, 1919-1920. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

War Issues - Correspondence, 1914. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

War Issues - Newspaper Clippings, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Arrangement

No arrangement action taken or arrangement information not recorded at the time of processing.

Scope and Contents

This series consists of an alphabetical arrangement of all the organizations and committees in which von Briesen participated and/or served. The natures of these organizations are varied, ranging from the political and philanthropic to the cultural and ethnic.

The more significant files in this series are the following:

Germanistic Society of America of which Arthur von Briesen was a charter member, Vice President and Directing Attorney. This organization was established through Columbia University in 1907.

National Roosevelt League of New York which von Briesen, and his good friend Carl Schurz led. Von Briesen served on the National Board of Directors and as president. This series contains many of the organization's files and papers, along with its printed materials, written mostly by von Briesen, Schurz and George Viereck. The materials in this file is extensive and valuable for the history of the Roosevelt campaign of 1904. Most of the materials and efforts of the National Roosevelt League were directed to the German-Americans of New York.

The Merchants' Association of New York; in which von Briesen served as Chairman of both the Patent Committee and the Committee on the Protection of Industrial Property. He wrote a number of articles on wartime trade and patent issues. Other issues were the British mail censor and the complete ban on correspondence across enemy lines. The correspondence and papers in this file are extensive and informative.

East Prussian Relief Fund was an organization which interested and engaged von Briesen during the years of the First World War.

Physical Description

3 boxes

American Physicians Expedition Committee, 1917. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Association for the Improvement of the Condition of the Poor, 1911. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Carl Schurz Memorial Fund, 1906-1913. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Citizens Union of the City of New York, 1900-1918. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Die Deutsche Gesellschaft Der Stadt New York - Annual, 1910. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Deutsch-Amerikanischer National Bund "Deutscher Tag", 1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Deutsche Haustrauen Verein, 1906. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Deutsches Theater, 1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

East Prussian Relief Fund By Laws/Certificate of Corporation, 1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

East Prussian Relief Fund - Correspondence, 1915-1917. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

East Prussian Relief Fund--Newspaper Clippings, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

First New York Volunteer Engineers, 1907-1918. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Germanistic Society of America--Correspondence, 1907-1913. 3 folders.
Physical Description

3 folders

Germanistic Society of America--List of Members, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Germanistic Society of America--Constitution/Certificate of Incorporation, 1908. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Germanistic Society of America--Printed Material, 1908. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Good Government Club - Correspondence, 1895. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Good Government Club--General Materials, 1895. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Judiciary Nominators, 1906. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Liederkranz of the City of New York--Annual Report, 1917-1918. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Liederkranz of the City of New York--Bazaar, 1919-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Linden Museum of Natural History of Stuttgart, 1912-1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

The Merchants' Association of New York--Correspondence, 1906-1918. 4 folders.
Physical Description

4 folders

The Merchants' Association of New York--Bulletins and Printed Material, 1907-1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

National Roosevelt League--Correspondence, 1904-1912. 4 folders.
Physical Description

4 folders

National Roosevelt League--Publications, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

National Roosevelt League--Drafts for Articles by Arthur Von Briesen, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

National Roosevelt League--Newspaper Clippings, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

National Roosevelt League--Miscellaneous, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Veteran Association of the Department of the South, 1908-1917. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Viereck's American Monthly/The Fatherland Corporation/Rundschau Zweier Welten, 1911. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Verband Deutscher Patentwalte, 1915-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Receipts, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Olmsted and Vaux Memorial Committee (Central Park), 1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Stapleton National Bank, 1906-1911. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Arrangement

No arrangement action taken or arrangement information not recorded at the time of processing.

Scope and Contents

The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent's last name. This series gives a broader understanding of von Briesen and his family, providing information as to particular members' location and activities.

Von Briesen's correspondence with his cousin Ernst Schenk (Schenk was the last name of many of von Briesen's family in Germany) particularly illuminates this point. Much of the correspondence is fact-filled in nature, caused in no small part by the English censors who made for irregular correspondence between the United States and Germany. Ernst's handwriting is difficult to understand, but its pattern, consistency, and near modern fraktur allow for relatively easy deciphering. The letters also reveal von Briesen's reverence and love for his family and mother-country. The letters on the whole tell about the war from both sides as Schenk's letters provide first-hand accounts of post-war Germany's disarray and severe food shortages (which von Briesen alleviated with food shipments) while von Briesen details the English censor and the stature of German-American citizens as "enemies" (or, at best "second-class-citizens").

In an unrelated but humorous matter, in a letter to Stanwood Menken concerning the choice of college for the grandson, von Briesen vehemently chooses Harvard over Princeton. In a letter dated April 10, 1920, there are three pages about why one should NOT go to Princeton.

Physical Description

1 box

B-C, 1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Banning, Kendall, 1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

de Lara, Louise, 1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Duvel, Erich, 1919-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Engelhorn, Julia, 1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Goepel, Carl, 1919-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Goepel, Frank, 1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Goepel, Hannchen, 1919-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Goepel, Lollie, 1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Goepel, Paul, 1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

H-K, 1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Licht, Hugo, 1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Mahl, Herma, 1918. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

McCormack, Charles F, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Menken, Arthur, 1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Menken, Gretel, 1914-1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Menken, Stanwood, 1914-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Metropolitan Opera Company, 1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Meylan, 1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Palmedo, Clara, 1918-1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Palmedo, Ado, 1919-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Palmedo, Lolly, 1918. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Papacheu, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Piorkowski, Arthur, 1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Potsziwnitzki, Franziska, 1919-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Pollock, Walter H, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

R, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schill, Emil, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schenck, Dr. Ernst, 1918-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schall, Edith, 1918-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Scriven, J.J., undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Stiefel, Carl, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Sutherland, H.M., undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Von Briesen, Agnes, 1919-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Von Briesen, Arthur, 1908-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Von Briesen, Fay, 1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Von Briesen, Hans, 1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Von Briesen, Richard, 1914-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Von Briesen, Robert, 1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Von Briesen, Ida, 1919-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Von Briesen, Wolf, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Von Briesen, Zaide, 1917. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

W, 1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Unidentified, 1914-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Arrangement

No arrangement action taken or arrangement information not recorded at the time of processing.

Scope and Contents

This series contains 23 pamphlets, broadsides, and magazines, some in German, which discuss immigration, World War I, post-war Germany, and legal issues.

Physical Description

1 box

Oversize: Twenty-three assorted pamphlets, broadsides, and magazines, dates not examined. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Print, Suggest