Genealogists' Guide to the West Central Minnesota Historical Center

University of Minnesota Morris Digital Well University of Minnesota Morris Digital Well

Miscellaneous Campus Publications UMM Archives

6-2017

Genealogists' Guide to the West Central Minnesota Historical Genealogists' Guide to the West Central Minnesota Historical

Center Center

Dawn Benson

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Miscellaneous Campus Publications

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Updated June 2017

Genealogists’ Guide to the West Central

Minnesota Historical Center

By Dawn Benson

The Minnesota Regional Research Center Network is a system of regional historical research centers

established in the 1970s to meet the need to collect historical records and recollections. The center at

the University of Minnesota Morris collects primary history sources for the West Central Minnesota

area, including the counties of Big Stone, Chippewa, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Swift, and Traverse.

The primary sources include oral interviews on a wide variety of topics, business, government and

institutional records, and the personal papers of individuals. The collections are donations from

individuals, businesses, and institutions and are not complete and exhaustive of any topic.

The Oral Histories are of particular interest because they represent personal knowledge and memories

which may not otherwise be available. The collection includes over 400 interviews. Some broad topics

include:

Businesses

Alexandria Light and Power Association – Alexandria, MN

Anderson, Arnold – family funeral home in Montevideo, MN

Anderson, Willard – development of the Federated Telephone Cooperative of Chokio, MN in

the 1920s and the 1930s

Arnquist, Len – conditions for small businessmen in west central Minnesota, and the effects of

the depression and WWII on small business

Babb, Gerald – experiences from 1930-1970s in the newspaper business

Bach, H.A. – 325, pre-WWI glass negatives including the Alberta Consolidated School and

miscellaneous material relating to the photography business

Barsness, Edward E. – editor of the Pope County Tribune from the 1920s to the 1950s,

compared newspaper editors of the 1970s to those of earlier times.

Bigelow, L.C. – includes 1910 blueprint for his clothing business store and various financial

records from 1900-1910 and 1920-1949.

Chrisman, Charles Sr. and Jr. (1900-1990) – Charles Sr. was a lawyer, box contains

correspondence dealing with real estate, ledgers, receipts, and other business related materials.

Coy, Robert B. – discusses Danvers, MN in the early 1900s and his role as a general store owner

during the Depression and World Wars.

Updated June 2017

Cyrus Farmers Elevator Company – records, 1968-1969, collection contains a ledger, journal

(grain purchases, shipments, and expenses) and a journal of daily sales.

D.D. Burns Saloon – a ledger of the liquor sales between 1905-1908.

Donnelly Co-op Creamery Association – records, 1949-1969, for the creamery, locker plant

business, gas station and bulk business.

Donnelly Farmers Union Grain Terminal Association – (1941-1972) earlier records in this

collection are from the inactive Peevey Elevator and later the Farmers Union GTA.

Elbow Lake Grain Co-op (1969-1970) – collection includes business ledger, journal accounts of

grain shipments, cash and sales journals.

Foslien, Fred – discusses the Production Credit Association in Alexandria, MN, the Victoria

Heights community development, and 1930s state highway legislation.

Gilbert J Johnson Land Company – began in Wahpeton, ND in 1914. Two volumes show that the

company speculated in land in North Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, and Texas and had interest in

several farms and sold seed.

Hanson, Laura S. (Wolfe) – discusses farmers’ co-ops (Co-op Canning Company, Co-op Store) in

the Montevideo, MN area between 1911-1940.

Hanson Dry Goods Store (1926-1950) – includes a ledger of accounts receivable and accounts

payable from 1947-1950, business records, and notice of sale of remaining assets for Browns

Valley State Bank in 1937.

Hoffman Co-op Creamery (1969-1983) – collection of correspondence and financial records.

Johnson, Clifford – records from 1941-1969 include items from the Johnson Grain Company in

Hancock, MN and trucking papers from the years Johnson drove a truck.

Johnson, Vernon – Alexandria, MN businessman, discusses the establishment of the Coca-Cola

Bottling Company in Alexandria, MN, processing and distributing soda beverages during the

1930’s, and the effect of WWII.

Kerkhoven Roller Mill Company – Records, 1915-1920, one financial record volume including all

incoming and outgoing expenditures of the company and a list of all with whom it transacted

business.

Lee, Alma – discusses her career in the restaurant business in Morris, MN from 1936 to 1958

and the effects of prohibition, the Depression, and World War II.

Lucken, Roy – discusses the Morris Taxi Service which he owned and operated from 1951 to

1959.

March Brothers – collection of March family business enterprises and its general law practice.

Collection is restricted.

Updated June 2017

McDermott General Store – records of the general store in Clontarf, MN including lists of goods

purchased and sold and the name of the person or company doing business with the store.

Nelson Mercantile Company – accounting ledgers from a dry goods store in Hancock, MN.

Odessa Farmers Milling Company – Records 1910-1913, 1 volume.

Ortonville Farmers Elevator Company – Records, 1890, 1900-1904.

Perrizo, Roy - papers of the general store and gas station owned and operated by Perrizo in

Clontarf, MN, also includes correspondence concerning the Variety Supply Company of Clara

City, MN.

Pomme De Terre Food Co-op – records from 1975-1984.

Richardson, Hervey M. – discusses 1930’s and 1940’s DFL politics, Farmer’s Co-ops, and 1948

election in Morris, MN and Stevens County, collection of papers from 1935-1965 of political

correspondence, campaign materials, and business records from Morris Cooperative Elevator,

Federated Telephone Cooperative, Agralite Cooperative, and the Farmers Union. Powerline

Controversy interview. Discusses role with Federated Telephone Cooperative – Chokio.

Robards, Hugh B. “Pat” – discusses the founding and development of the Cowing Robards

Hardware Store in Alexandria, MN, business fluctuations in the Depression and WWII, rationing

of products during WWII, his time in France during WWI, and tourism in Alexandria.

Scandia Savings Association - records, 1896-1908

Schmidgall, Gilbert – discusses the Morris Taxi Service between 1945-1981.

Smith, Warren – discusses the Morris Taxi Service from 1945-1981.

Stewart, S. – papers, 1889 – S. Stewart’s Mill in Hancock, MN and Stevens County Bank in

Morris, MN.

Stone and Randall Law Firm – records, 1878-1924 – papers relating to the firm’s activities and

information on the affairs of the Tri-State Telephone & Telegraph Company, the Minnesota

State Fair, the Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company, and the Morris Creamery Association.

Restricted

Thurmer, Otto – discusses the various aspect of the construction business from the 1920’s to the

1970’s.

Variety Supply Company – records, 1956-1979 – contains newsletters distributed by V-stores

along with a descriptive publication of the company and its history. Collection also contains two

volumes: Gorden A. Yock (the founder of the company) and Thinking Out Loud (written by

Yock).

Updated June 2017

Varnum, Edna – discusses how she and her husband started their hardware business in Morris,

MN, her role in buying and determining new product lines, the difficulties WWII brought to

their business, and reasons for selling the business.

Wells, Harry H., Family – papers, 1880-1961, 95 volumes – papers of many of Wells’ business

enterprises, legislative papers, and papers of Charles Hoyt March, son-in-law of Harry Wells.

Some restrictions.

Whitmer, Gail – discusses the different people he transported in the Morris Taxi Service from

1959-1968, the costs of operation, and city involvement.

Yock, Gordon A. – discusses his Variety Supply Company in Clara City, MN, the Clara City

Telephone Company, the Continental Telephone Company, Boy Scouts, churches, and the ethnic

community of Germans. Collection, 1907-1967 – book entitled Gordon Yock: Merchandising

Expert and papers related to Yock’s Republican interests.

Churches/Religion

Anderson, Annabelle – the importance of the Catholic Church to community life in Clontarf, MN

Christ Episcopal Church (1876-1978) – Benson, MN – collection includes parish registers, and

minutes of parish, vestry, Ladies Guild, and St. Agnes Guild.

Federated Church – Morris, MN – (1874-1979) records of the First Congregational Church of

Christ and the First Methodist Episcopal Church, both of Morris. Each group maintained

separate memberships, annual meetings, and denominational ties. Collection contains registers

(vital statistics on baptisms, marriages, deaths, communicants, and membership), minute books

of both churches, before and after federation, Board of Trustee records, annual meetings,

church council minutes, financial records, and correspondence.

First Congregational Church – Danvers, MN – 1918-1940, collection contains a record book,

original records were moved to the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Benson, MN. Copies of

record books, lists of pastors and officers, baptisms, marriages, budgets and statistics are on

microfilm.

First Congregational Church – Alexandria, MN – 1894-1977, church record books including

pastors, member lists, officers, baptisms, marriages, general minutes, Board of Trustees record

books, Treasurers’ record books, Board of Religious Education minutes, Women’s Society record

books, and the Board of Missions minutes book.

First Congregational Church – Montevideo, MN – 1973-1976, records consist of constitutions,

bylaws, reports, and church histories. Church registers and minute books include baptisms,

marriages, deaths, etc. Annual meeting minutes of the various church organizations are also

available.

Cooney, John C., Father – A 1978 interview with Father Cooney discussing the Clontarf, MN

parish’s social activities, parish governance, community spirit, and comparison to other small

towns in the Swift County area. Father Cooney discusses Bishop Ireland and his policies to move

Updated June 2017

Irish Catholics into the area during the late 1800s to the turn of the century and Father Cooney’s

seminary training.

Doherty, Mary – describes growing up in Clontarf, MN, her Irish family, the church, and being a

rural schoolteacher in Swift and Stevens counties during the 1930s.

Doherty, Mary Kent – discusses her grandparents’ settlement in Clontarf, MN, the importance of

the Catholic Church in community life, characteristics of St. Malachy’s parish priests, and the

school consolidation between Benson and Clontarf during the 1920s.

Gramm, Peg (Margaret) – discusses the customs of the Apostolic Christian Church, their

philosophies and activities. Special emphasis is placed on the role of women in the church and

the social customs. Gramm is a member of the Morris, MN Apostolic Christian Church.

Guild of Catholic Women (1917-1978) – local chapter of the National Council of Catholic Women

made up of women from Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, MN. Collection includes

financial records, a constitution, minutes, correspondence, membership listings, and a

cookbook.

Hofer, Samuel/ Wollman, Samuel – discuss living in the Hutterite Colony near Graceville, MN in

Big Stone County. They discuss the history, the colony’s move to Graceville in 1958, the physical

structure of the colony, farming, building and manufacturing methods, lifestyle, the importance

of self-sufficiency and separation from the outside world, schooling, courtship and marriage,

role and status of women, medical care, language spoken, the effects of technology, and the

relationship to the outside world. Interview in 1974.

Hutterite Colony Interviews – interviews with Marvel Wagner, Joseph Wipf, and Rosa Schuelke,

members of the Big Stone Colony of Hutterites in Graceville, MN.

Malm, John – sermon entitled “Revolution” given by Malm at the Trinity Lutheran Church in

Cyrus, MN on Oct. 30, 1977.

New Home Mennonite Church – Records, 1892-1960 – located in Rosehill Township,

Cottonwood County, MN. Most records are in German.

Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church – Benson, MN – records transferred from the Minnesota

Historical Society. Collection contains records from churches in Swift County which were

predecessor churches of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran. They include: Norwegian Evangelical

Lutheran Trinity Church of Benson and Swenoda Township, Our Savior’s Norwegian Evangelical

Lutheran Church, Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church (Trinity Swenoda Lutheran

Church), Lake Hazel Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Immanuel Norwegian Evangelical

Lutheran Church, and Six Mile Grove Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Parnell German Lutheran Church – 1882-1963 - a written history of the German Lutheran Church

in Parnell Township of Traverse County, MN.

Parson, Reuben – discusses the role of the Swedish-Lutheran Church in Swedish-American life.

Updated June 2017

Pederson, Mabel – discusses the process of changing church services from Norwegian to English

at East Zion Lutheran Church near Starbuck, MN.

Pilgrim Congregational Church – Benson, MN – records from 1876 to 1977

Protestant Episcopal Churches in West Central Minnesota – microfilm of originals held by the

Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota including records from Emmanuel Church, Eagle

Bend; Grace Church, Montevideo; Mission of the Beloved Physician, Mentor; St. John’s Church,

Moorhead; and St. Luke’s Church, Browns Valley.

Schmidgall, Floyd, Mr. and Mrs. – discusses the Apostolic Christian Church and its policies and

guidelines (1975).

Wollman, Samuel – convocation, led by Wollman and Samuel Hofer, discusses the Hutterite

way of life and the Hutterite Colony near Graceville, MN (1958).

Community Groups

American Red Cross – Appleton Chapter (1927-1959, 1967)

Anderson, Gustav Adolph, “Oddie” – Morris Senior Citizens Center in the 1970s

Appleton Civic League – (1910-1941) women’s club active in civic improvement projects in

Appleton, MN

Austin, Frank – history of bands and band instructors in the Montevideo, MN area from the

1920s to the 1970s.

Benson Service Club – 1940-1941 includes day book, notebook, and several bank statements

from this organization, items found in the Swift County Treasurer’s vault.

Bergherr, Viola – changes at the Morris Senior Citizens Center during the 1970s.

Bigelow, L.C. – papers , 1931-1946, checking account records, minutes, and miscellaneous

papers for the Browns Valley, MN Lions Club, later renamed the Town and Country Club. He

discusses the club’s political activities during WWII involving gas rationing and management of

food resources.

Broton, Charles – director of the Older American Program discusses his contributions to the

development of the Morris Senior Citizens Center.

Collins, Terry P. – a Morris, MN attorney discusses the process needed to make the Morris

Senior Citizen Center a corporation during the 1970s.

County Museum Inventories (1975) – inventories of the holdings from county museums in: Big

Stone, Chippewa, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Swift, and Traverse.

Updated June 2017

DeWall, Grace Gardner – discusses the Morris, MN chapter of the Daughters of the American

Revolution (1931-1953).

Eddy, Josephine – discusses her early life and her connections with a variety of women’s

organizations in Swift and Stevens County. She also taught, worked with WPA, and did social

work.

Eddy-Thomas Rhythm Band – four promotional posters and a 1954 blank contract.

Eul, Richard – fire chief of Morris, MN discusses fires, training, and organization.

Friends of the Library – records of the group as an auxiliary to the Morris Public Library: 1966

and 1974 constitutions, annual meeting minutes, correspondence, and clippings.

Gay, Clayton A. (1904-1958) – lawyer and first president of the West Central Development

Association. Collection contains information on his civic activities in Morris, MN. Legal files

from the 1930s and 40s are restricted.

Hancock Women’s Study Club (1921-1977) – collection contains reports, constitutions,

correspondence, history notes, member lists, clippings, and photographs.

International Order of Odd Fellows – Benson, MN – records, 1895-1903 one financial ledger

dealing with major aspects of the organization, membership applications, correspondence, bills,

and receipts.

Larson, Blanche – the Morris Senior Citizen’s Center during the 1970’s.

Lie, Sanny – discusses the origins and work of the League of Women Voters in Morris, MN.

Minnesota General Federation of Women Club 7

District (1899-2002) – includes record books,

attendance books, account books, treasurer books, year books, and the 100

Annual

Convention booklet.

Morris Kiwanis Club – Records, 1923-1941; 15 volumes.

Norby, Edwin and Alice – discuss the changes and functions of the Morris Senior Citizen’s Center

in the 1970’s.

Pomme De Terre Garden Club – records from 1953-1974.

Schmidt, Jerry – discusses fires in the Morris, MN area, the 1978 Morris Fire Department

training, programs, and organizations.

Women’s Relief Corps No. 71 – records, 1892-1966 – organized in Montevideo, MN in 1892,

collection includes minutes, pamphlets, roll of members, and copy of the original charter.

Zinda, Dorothy – discusses the Morris Senior Citizen Center, especially the nutrition and activity

programs.

Updated June 2017

Farming and Farm Organizations

Aanerud, Oscar – Donnelly, MN – 1884 diary of Oscar’s father and a family history, Donnelly, MN

Anderson, Emil – farmed, Chippewa County, MN Commissioner, also discusses WPA and

conservation efforts in Chippewa County along with the Olof Swensson family (Olof Swensson

Farm Museum, Chippewa County Historical Society

Anderson, Errol – farmed in Big Stone County, MN from WWI to the 1970s, emphasis on the

1920s and the Depression years, also discusses the Non-Partisan League, the Farmer’s Holiday

Movement, the Farm Bureau, and the Farmers Union

Arnquist, Len – farming in the late 19

century in Wisconsin

Barsness, Edward E. – discusses the Farmer’s Holiday Movement and his work with the Non-

Partisan League in Minnesota.

Benoit, Alex J. and Leona M. – discuss the Farmer’s Holiday Movement

Benson, Elmer A. – U.S. Senator and Minnesota governor from Appleton, MN discusses the

Farmer-Labor party, the New Deal, the Farmer’s Holiday Movement during the 1930s.

Big Stone County Farm Bureau – 1949-1971, papers with general information, programs, and

newspaper clippings pertaining to the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation.

Chippewa County Agricultural Extension – annual reports describing the activities of the county

extension service and miscellaneous literature.

Christenson, Jack – describes his role in the National Farmers Organization (NFO) from 1969-

1983, its objectives, recruitment policies, and future.

Christiansen, Charles – discusses steam engines, threshing in the early 20

century, the Farmers

Union in Elbow Lake, MN, and the Cooperative Insurance Group.

Dosdall, Henry – recalls early farm life, threshing, farm equipment and the change from horses

to tractors, Federal Land Bank loans, and government programs during the Depression, and his

ideas on farm cooperatives.

Drewes, Otto – discusses farming and the Farmers Union and its history in Stevens County,

especially 1963-1967.

Eames, Earl – discusses purchase of a grain elevator in Morris, MN, electric dispute of 1934-36,

importance of local enterprises to rural areas, farming in the 1920s.

Fults, Lewis – discusses Minnesota Farm Bureau in Stevens County, MN from 1953-1957.

Hanson, Laura S. (Wolfe) - discusses activities of the Farmers Union and general farm life.

Updated June 2017

Hanson, Nels P. – discusses his work as a county agent during the 1930s, the Non-Partisan

League, and the Farmer’s Holiday Movement.

Henningson, Berton E. “Randy” (1968-1987) – material from agricultural movements in the

1980s and the National Farmers Organization (NFO).

Iverson, Carl – Papers, 1915-1972; collection contains materials relating to cooperatives, farm

costs, and the National Farmers Organization (NFO).

Johnson, Wilmer – describes his life (1920-1950), farming, Swedish background, immigration,

and the changing lives of farmers.

Judd, Harriet E. – Papers, 1916-1936; correspondence between J.H. Devenney and Judd.

Kowalzyck, Ed – tape donated by KDIO radio station reporter, Cindy Hayes, who covered the

1985 Kowalzyck farm (of rural Barry, MN) foreclosure action held at the Big Stone County

Courthouse in Ortonville, MN. The tape records conversations of the Big Stone County Sheriff

Orin Haukos, Bert Henningson, and Dick Hanson, immediately prior to the sale, and the shouts

from the protestors who wished to stop the sale.

Lewis, Robert – discusses the National Farmers Organization.

Lund, Guy – discusses farming in the 1980’s versus farming in the 1930’s and the Farmer’s

Holiday Movement.

Morris Cooperative Association – Records, 1931-1976.

Morris Farmers Union Grain Terminal Association – Records, 1973-1975 – incomplete set of

management records and materials.

Olson, Wesley – discusses farming near Clinton, MN.

People, Pride, and Politics – The cassettes People, Pride and Politics: Building the Northstar

Country, pertains to the organization of the farmers, laborers, and the unemployed from the

1920’s through the Depression.

Peterson, Howard – contains materials from Peterson’s work as a field representative in western

Minnesota and eastern South Dakota for the Farmers Union Grain Terminal Association.

Cassette and transcript of Peterson discussing his life in Benson, MN, working for the Minnesota

Farmers Union Grain Terminal Association, and various aspects of his personal life, his interest in

politics and in environment preservation. Time period from the 1930’s to 1990.

Peterson, Roy – discusses the 1930’s political attitudes in Benson, MN, the Non-Partisan League,

the Farmer’s Holiday Movement, Swift County during the Depression, the Farmer-Labor Party,

and the National Farmers Organization.

Pieper, Otto – discusses farm life and changes on the farm from 1898 to the 1940’s, mentions

the Farmers’ Alliance, the Non-Partisan League, and the Farmer’s Holiday Movement.

Updated June 2017

Pope County Extension Service – records from 1934-1959

Ross, Lyle –records, 1969-1983, entrepreneur and businessman from Alexandria focused on

farming techniques, agribusiness, and helping local farmers, did a TV show. Includes a wide

variety of photo albums containing trips to lakes, river, farms, and aerial photography.

Stevens County Soil Conservation Service Report – a brief introduction regarding the history and

climate of the county, details the organization and history of the Soil Conservation Service,

reports on Soil Conservation District data, and states a Land Use/Conservation Needs inventory.

Tatge, Orville – discusses the Farmer’s Holiday Movement and life during the Depression. He

compares different farmers’ organizations and their functions, and then discusses his activiites

in the National Farmers Organization.

Golden Age of Radio

Alm, Marlys – Stevens County, MN radio in 1920s and 1930s

Amborn, Benny - Stevens County, MN radio in 1920s and 1930s

Ambron, Harry - Stevens County, MN radio in 1920s and 1930s

Benson, Arlene – recollections of radio in the 1920s and 1930s

Bouressa, Helen – discusses early radio listening experiences as a child and young wife in

Donnelly, MN during the 1920s and 1930s.

Busch, Edna Mae - Stevens County, MN radio in 1920s and 1930s

Charles, Ruby – radio during the 1920s and 1930s near Morris, MN

Day, Eugene – recalls early radio stations, how early radios worked, and other technical aspects

of radios in the 1920s and 1930s.

Domingo, Ruth – describes her family’s first experiences with radio in the 1920s.

Dosdall, Genevieve – recalls her experiences with radio during the 1920s and 1930s.

Dosdall, Glen – describes his memories of early radio in the 1920s and 1930s.

Erdahl, Doris – radio during the 1930s and 1940s.

Erickson, Almira - recalls her experiences with radio during the 1920s and 1930s.

Fischer, Fred – recalls early experiences and memories of radio in the 1920s and 1930s.

Gerber, Fred – Donnelly, MN radio experiences in the 1920s and 1930s.

Updated June 2017

Gerber, Mabel – Stevens County, MN and Donnelly, MN radio experiences in the 1920s and

1930s.

Grossman, Agnes - radio during the 1930s and 1940s.

Grossman, Clarence – radio during the 1930s and 1940s.

Henner, Joe – memories of radio during the 1920s and 1930s.

Henricks, Alice - Donnelly, MN radio experiences in the 1920s and 1930s.

Hoffman, Emma - memories of radio during the 1920s and 1930s.

Hoffman, Viola – describes memories of radio during 1920s and 1930s.

Horning, Lillian – early memories of radio in the 1920s and 1930s.

Jacobson, Joe –memories of radio in the 1920’s and 1930’s in Stevens County, MN.

Kampmeier, Walter – memories of radio during the 1930’s.

Kopacek, Jerry – memories of radio during the 1930’s and 1940’s.

McNally, Caroline - memories of radio in the 1920’s and 1930’s in Stevens County, MN.

Oie, Clarice - memories of radio in the 1920’s and 1930’s in Stevens County, MN.

Ruff, Della – discusses her early memories of radio during the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Ruff, Greg - discusses his early memories of radio during the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Sanders, Walfred - discusses his early memories of radio during the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Scheelk, Martha - discusses her early memories of radio during the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Schmidgall, Gilbert - discusses his early memories of radio during the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Schroeder, Frances – discusses memories of radio during 1920’s and 1930’s.

Schultz, Mabel - discusses memories of radio during 1920’s and 1930’s.

Stoner, Ray - discusses his early memories of radio during the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Van Zomeren, Frances - discusses her memories of radio during 1920’s and 1930’s in Stevens

County, MN.

Updated June 2017

Government

Barnes-Aastad Soil and Water Conservation Research Association records (1959-1980) – records

cover topics such as water use, tillage, and erosion. Regional advisory group to the North

Central Soil Research Station of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, concerned with the soils of

western Minnesota and eastern South Dakota and North Dakota.

Bigelow, L.C. – very fragmentary records from Browns Valley, MN.

Census Computerization Project – collection contains the machine-readable data taken from the

federal and state manuscript censuses (1870, 1875, 1880, 1885, 1895, 1900, 1905, plus the

agriculture schedule for 1880 for Stevens County).

Hull, Henry, Jr. – law enforcement and the crime rate in Morris, MN (1968-1975).

Minnesota Public Documents – 1863-1980, 126 volumes – transferred from the legislative

collection; includes Minnesota Statutes, Journal of the House, Journal of the Senate, House Bills,

Senate Bills, Laws of Minnesota, and Minnesota Executive Documents.

Minnesota State Census Manuscripts, 1870-1905 – Original state and federal population

schedules from 1870, 1875, 1895, 1900, and 1905. Not all counties are available for all years.

Olsen, Harold J. – discusses the changing responsibilities of the government of Hoffman, MN

from 1942 to 1975.

Stevens County Auditor – miscellaneous records of the auditor’s office including information

from the Board of Commissioners, the Highway Department, the daily journal of the county

weed inspector, and the road and bridge fund financial reports.

Stevens County Commission of Public Safety – records, 1917-1919

Stevens County Extension Agency – records, 1918-1969

Swift County Auditor – records, 1871-1965, 54 volumes

Swift County Sheriff – records, 1878-1905, 6 volumes

Swift County Treasurer – records, 1871-1942, 32 volumes

A Trilogy of Triage – a history directed study at UMM, this paper deals with the role of Fort

Abercrombie, Fort Wadsworth, and Fort Pomme de Terre (1850’s-1890’s) on the Minnesota-

Dakota frontier, their specific duties during their operation in the 1800’s, and reasons for the

forts’ demise.

Updated June 2017

Home Front Series (World War II)

Bauer, Jacob – discusses the quality of news available to the community, labor shortages, and

the general economic impact of the war on the community of Dumont, MN.

Bremness, Dina –discusses the Glenwood Hospital during WWII, the activities of the Glenwood

area League of Women Voters, community opinion, the impact of the war on medicine, and

some aspects of life as a single, professional woman in rural Minnesota.

Clark, Loren W. – worked with the Big Stone Canning Company in Ortonville, MN during WWII.

He discusses the German P.O.W. camp that was maintained by the company to provide labor

during the summer of 1945 and 1946.

Eastlund, Harold – discusses the anti-war sentiment in Glenwood, MN before the war, tire and

gas rationing, the existence of black markets, gas and heating restrictions, income controls,

conscientious objectors, and women in the labor force.

Erenberg, Richard, Mrs. (Betty Jane) – discusses her youth, and her experiences in the Civilian

Pilots Training (CPT) and the Women’s Air Service Pilots (WASP).

Ernst, William H. – discusses news sources available to Alberta, MN and the war’s effect on farm

life, rationing, black markets, price controls, and labor shortages.

Ettesvold, Clarence – discusses the effect of the war on farm life, and his experiences with war

mobilization projects.

Grove, Joseph – discusses his work in forestry prior to WWII and farming during the war and

after.

Grover, Donovan – talks about his job as postmaster in Ashby, MN during the war, the selling of

war bonds rationing, and the effect of Franklin Roosevelt’s death, farmers’ problems, and the

movement of people to California for defense industry jobs.

Halvorson, Anna – discusses her work with the Red Cross during the war, the role of women

during the war, and her personal activities after the war. Collection consists of correspondence

with the regional Red Cross headquarters and newspaper clippings about the Red Cross or the

“Mustinka” 4-H Club.

Hembre, Julius Ole – discusses his work as an insurance salesman during WWII, rationing, types

of insurance sold, and the War Dads.

Johnson, Vernon – discusses the difficulties sugar rationing during WWII caused for the Coca-

Cola Bottling Company in Alexandria, MN. Also talks about selling war bonds.

Kief, Minna – discusses her volunteer work with the Red Cross making bandages, and other

experiences of people on the home front, including home canning and rationing.

Larken, William P. – life during WWII in Graceville, MN.

Updated June 2017

Powers, G.W. – discusses the Power’s Produce Company in Wheaton, MN, its establishment and

operation, the use of Army contracts and his dealings with rationing boards.

Richardson, Hervey M. – discusses the effects of the war on farming and politics of farm policy

under President Roosevelt.

Richardson, Norah – discusses her experiences during WWII and her concern as an English

immigrant for England.

Rosten, Ruthe – discusses her personal experiences as a mother of two servicemen, the

operation of her farm during both the Depression and the war.

Shervey, George M. – discusses civil defense, rationing, black market operations, and general

attitudes of the area residents about war.

Sigloh, Boyde – discusses his work as a lieutenant and later captain in the Minnesota State

Guard and his work on the west coast in the war factories.

Sletto, Josephine – discusses her job as the chief clerk for the Douglas County Selective Service

Office during the war years, the operation of the local draft board, and the Selective Service

system.

Trost, Walter – discusses his meat business in Donnelly, MN and how the war, rationing, war

bonds, effects on the community, and the war’s effect on the role of women, affected it.

Winter, Lorence – discusses the general effects of the war on Hoffman, MN, a detailed

description of the war’s effects on farm life, and on the development and activities of the REA.

Irish-American

Anderson, Annabelle – grandparents’ migration to Clontarf, MN area in the 1870s

Benoit, Alex J. and Leona M. – discuss the period from 1860 to 1977 including the topics of

emigration, occupations, local organizations, the Farmer’s Holiday Movement, the Depression,

feed loans, and business in Clontarf, MN.

Cooney, John C., Father – A 1978 interview with Father Cooney discussing the Clontarf, MN

parish’s social activities, parish governance, community spirit, and comparison to other small

towns in the Swift County area. Father Cooney discusses the history of Clontarf, MN, Bishop

Ireland and his policies to move Irish Catholics into the area during the late 1800s to the turn of

the century, the people’s opposition to some of the Ireland’s policies, the Irish Republican

Army, and his seminary training.

Doherty, Mary – describes growing up in Clontarf, MN, her Irish family, the church, and being a

rural schoolteacher in Swift and Stevens counties during the 1930s.

Updated June 2017

Doherty, Mary Kent – discusses her grandparents’ settlement in Clontarf, MN, the importance of

the Catholic Church in community life, characteristics of St. Malachy’s parish priests, and the

school consolidation between Benson and Clontarf during the 1920s.

Fennel, Robert – discusses his role in the Irish community of Clontarf and its community events.

Gilbertson, Addie – concerns French ethnicity in the Clontarf, MN area and touches on many

aspects of community life at the beginning of the 20

century.

Goulet, Ernest, Mrs. (Marie) – discusses her family history, relationships between the French

and Irish in Clontarf, MN, the catholic religion, parochial schools, social organizations,

celebrations, and businesses and newspapers of the early 1900s.

Hughes, Ann / Rose Perrizo – discuss family history, customs, and growing up in the Irish

community of Clontarf, MN in the early 20

century.

Langen, Jack – discusses his family history, politics, and social organizations in Clontarf, MN,

religion, school, sports, holidays, the Depression, and relationships with the French in Clontarf.

Covers the time period from 1870 to 1940.

Logganson, Marjorie – tape in poor condition, hard to understand.

Perrizo, Rose – Perrizo, along with her sister, Anne Hughes, discuss their family history and life

in early 20

century Clontarf, MN.

Reardon, George – politics in Irish-American families, organizations in Clontarf, MN, the role of

the Catholic Church, holidays, and relationships with other towns and groups.

Shinnick, Anne – discusses the role of the Catholic Church in Clontarf, MN, the role of the school,

various organizations, the social life, and the holidays during the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Medical

Andres, Iva – worked for Dr. Smith in Montevideo, MN, talks about changes in the medical field

and the life of a country doctor in the 1930s and 1940s

Appleton Hospital (Swift County, MN) 1950-1967, includes some bid information, etc. dated

before hospital opened in 1952. Most of the collection is after that date including financial

ledgers and various records. Also includes information on the Appleton Nursing Home. There

are some restrictions on access.

Arneson, Arthur I., Dr. papers, 1959, notes and a letter pertaining to an article about pioneer

physicians of Stevens County, MN

Behmler, F.W., Dr. –speeches on public health

Eberlin, Ellen – discusses her doctor husband’s experiences, medical practices 1910s-1940s,

running a private hospital in Glenwood, MN, and a rural doctor’s life.

Updated June 2017

Hanson, Richard “Dick” – materials include his involvement in homosexual rights organizations,

including a personal scrapbook and magazines which covered his fight with AIDS.

Howg, E.M., Dr. – records relating to the doctor’s practice. Some restrictions.

LaFave, Edward J., Jr. – discusses medical care in Stevens County and the city of Morris, MN

during the 1960’s.

Meyers, Mildred (Young) – Papers, 1949-1968; minutes, financial records, and correspondence

from the Rutland (ND) Health Association.

Parson, Lillian, M.D. – discusses her family background and her medical background and practice

near Elbow Lake, MN, which she started in 1923.

Rose, Robert D. – discusses the problems in area medical care in Stevens County and Morris, MN

during the 1960’s.

Roust, Henry A., Dr. – discusses the history of the Chippewa County Hospital and its board

(1950’s to 1975).

Scarlet Fever Papers – collection consists of correspondence between Wheaton, MN village

officials and the Division of Preventable Diseases of the Minnesota Department of Health about

an outbreak of scarlet fever in September 1935.

Scott, Kathryn – discusses nursing and doctoring practices in the 1920’s and 1930’s, working for

one of the first doctors in Appleton, MN, the running of a private hospital, and changes in the

medical profession from the 1920’s to the 1970’s.

Sherman, Margaret – discusses the attitudes of Stevens County, MN residents toward public

health, her duties as a public health nurse during the 1940’s and 1950’s and what happened in

Stevens County after she left her position in 1958.

Smedley, Walter – discusses his 1912-1970 experiences as a veterinarian in the Herman, MN

area.

Stevens County Memorial Hospital – records, 1932-1978

Stock, John F., Dr. – discusses problems in medical care in Stevens County, MN and the city of

Morris during the 1960’s, awareness of the problems, and his activities on the Doctor

Procurement Committee.

Wilson, Sanford, Dr. – discusses the problems involved in building a new hospital for Starbuck,

MN in the early 1970’s.

Native American

Allanson, George Gray – history of the Birch Coulie Affair, historical sketches of the Sioux

Indians, and the Sisseton Reservation

Updated June 2017

Assimilation Theory Is Put into Practice paper – the life of children at the Morris Indian School

from 1887-1895

Bellecourt, Clyde – speech given by Bellecourt, the Director of the American Indian Movement

discussing the trial of Dennis Banks, Wounded Knee, South Dakota, and issues of concern to

Native Americans.

Black Thunder, Elijah – speech discusses Indian legends and traditions, including topics such as

the Indian medicine man, the peace pipe, and Indian legends.

Clontarf Indian School – papers include correspondence, attendance records, descriptions of

children, articles of agreement, and a bibliography for a research paper on the subject of the

school.

Female Industrial Education at the Morris Indian School – Luther College student-written paper

titled, “A Case Study of Female Industrial Education at the Morris Indian School”.

Gawboy, Robert – Indian medicine man from the Lake Kabetogama Band of Boise Forte Bank of

the Lake Superior Chippewa, living on the Lake Vermillion Indian Reservation at Tower, MN. He

discusses what it is to be an Indian medicine man, some of the remedies used and spells cast,

also discusses some Indian legends and traditions.

Red Owl, Ed – interview from 1980, tribal planning director of the Sisseton-Wahpeton

Reservation in Sisseton, SD. Talks about growing up on the reservation, changes on the

reservation within the last 100 years, and traditional Native American religious practices.

A Trilogy of Triage – a history directed study at UMM, this paper deals with the role of Fort

Abercrombie, Fort Wadsworth, and Fort Pomme de Terre (1850’s-1890’s) on the Minnesota-

Dakota frontier, their specific duties during their operation in the 1800’s, and reasons for the

forts’ demise.

Norwegian

Aanerud, Oscar – Donnelly, MN, an 1884 diary of Oscar Aanerud’s father, translated from

Norwegian , telling the story of his father’s departure from Oslo, Norway to his arrival in

Donnelly, MN.

Christiansen, Charles – discusses his father immigrating from Norway in 1893 and universal

military training in Norway.

Engebretson, Betsy - reminiscences of rural Minnesota in the early 20

century, Norwegian

foods, church activities, and her Norwegian background.

Erickson, Grant – discusses his Norwegian ethnicity and traditions and construction. He also

talks about his parents’ immigration from Norway to Minnesota, via Wisconsin in the 1870s.

Forde, Astrid – discusses the switch from Norwegian to English in Pope County, MN Lutheran

Churches in the 1920s.

Updated June 2017

Herfindal, Grant – discusses the Norwegian settlement patterns in Swift County near Benson,

MN, the centrality of the Lutheran Church, and the generational attitudes toward language

maintenance (1880s to 1970s).

Koch, Mabel – part of the Norwegian Ethnicity Oral History project. discusses church activities

and family life on a farm north of Cyrus, MN in the 1920’s and 1930’s. She also discusses her

Norwegian ethnicity, use of the Norwegian language in church, and the Nora Lutheran Church.

Rasmusson, Alma – discusses family heritage, Norwegian ethnicity, and education, teaching

career in Minnesota and North Dakota (1910’s-1930’s), farm life in Stevens and Pope counties in

Minnesota.

Pioneer Life/ Immigration

Allanson, George Gray (1871-1959) Collected stories of pioneer life (Traverse, Big Stone,

Sisseton Resveration, Minnesota Territory)

Amundson, Tobias – 1911 immigration

Anderson, Joseph S. – family history of the Joseph Anderson family from departure from

Sweden to the 1960s

Arneson, Arthur I., Dr. papers – notes and letter pertaining to an article about pioneer physicians

of Stevens County, MN

Austin, Frank – recounts his family history and their travels to the United States and

Montevideo, MN, WWI, the 1929 crash, the Depression, and WWII.

Barron, Moses & Leah –in a 1973 interview Moses talks about his Jewish family’s immigration to

America and living on a farm in Stevens County. The recording also includes Moses’ Shiva

ceremony in 1974.

Christiansen, Charles – discusses his father immigrating from Norway in 1893 and universal

military training in Norway.

Danforth, Mary Dockstader Davidson (1866-1961) – handwritten letters describing her

childhood in Morris, MN and Hancock, MN during the late 1800s. The letters describe her

family, building methods, pioneer life, descriptions of grasshopper plagues and blizzards, also

her relationship to the Ignatius Donnelly family, and a slight mention of her career as a

schoolteacher.

Grover, Donovan – discusses family’s emigration to Grant County, MN.

Hansen, Ernie – discusses his parents’ immigration from Denmark around 1880.

Hustad, Tegner – discusses conditions that caused Norwegians to immigrate to the United States

and the problems they encountered on arrival. Collection includes Hustad’s family tree dating

back to 1705, however it is somewhat illegible and is written in Norwegian and English.

Updated June 2017

Johnson, Wilmer – discusses the Swedish immigrant family’s new life near Graceville, MN.

Kaufman, DorothyBelle – her papers include a friend’s (Mary Anne Banken) account of her

immigration from Holland in 1894.

Krapes, Alvin – a difficult-to-understand copy of a tape from the Pope County Museum. It

discusses the Lost Battalion of 200 soldiers from Pope County, MN going from Fort Abercrombie

to Fort Snelling which got caught in a storm and froze to death. He also discusses the Indian

outbreak.

Nichols Family Papers – Letters, 1844-1862 – contains letters from many family members

regarding immigration and emigration.

Parson, Reuben – discusses his Swedish grandfather’s pioneer days in Ottertail County in the

late 1800’s.

Shervey, George M. – his writings on local history in the Grant County, MN area includes topics

such as emigration from Europe, pioneer life on the prairie in the late 1800’s, Indian-White

relations, prairie fauna and flora, the ox cart trails, and wagon trains.

Strandness, Elisabeth – collection, 1873-1975 – reminiscenes of Strandness’ great grandfather

and the family’s journey from Norway to Minnesota in 1867, the history of the Strandness

Prairie (from 1867 through the 1970’s) written by Elisabeth, correspondence between

Strandness and The Nature Conservancy.

Tonn, Herbert - discusses his German ancestors, and their journey from Germany to Wisconsin

and Minnesota in the 1850’s and 1860’s, farming, construction, language, and ethnic traditions.

Political Figures & Groups of West Central Minnesota

Anderson, Delbert papers (1959-1979) – farmer from Starbuck, MN and a District 24A

Minnesota State Representative from 1952-1978

Anderson, Gustav Adolph, “Oddie” papers from 1953-1955 – Minnesota State Legislator from

the 48

District near Donnelly, MN; mostly correspondence regarding legislative bills

Barr, Sam – served in the Minnesota State House of Representatives from 1960-1972

representing District 24B (Big Stone, Grant, Traverse).

Barsness, Edward E. – two terms in the legislature (1927 and 1961)

Behmler, F.W., Dr. – elected to the state Senate in 1954

Benson, Elmer A. – U.S. Senator and a Minnesota governor (1937-1939) from Appleton, MN,

discusses the Non-Partisan League in Minnesota and Swift County, MN. He also discusses the

Farmer-Labor party, his work as governor, the Farmer’s Holiday Movement, the New Deal, and

the AFL-CIO, covering the 1930s in detail.

Updated June 2017

Berg, Charles “Charlie” – State Senator from 1973-1976, collection containing newsletters,

articles, booklets, correspondence and memos from Berg’s political career. Some restrictions on

access.

Charles, Erland – discusses the election years 1948-1960 on a local, state, and national level,

plus topics such as Henry Wallace, the political parties, farming, and the American Communist

Party. His papers include political materials relating to district and the Stevens County

Republican Party.

Chippewa County Republican Party (1960-1977) – papers include county convention reports,

state delegate information, newspaper clippings, lists of workers, contributors, awards, etc.

Material was collected from Winthro Block, Avis Lewis, and Gene Smith as part of a larger

project to collect Republican paper for an 8 county region.

Douglas County Republican Party – records from 1951-1972.

Foslien, Fred – discusses the DFL and the Non-Partisan League. The collection includes

correspondence and documents from his years in the Minnesota Legislature (1933-1937) and

other organizations he was part of.

Grant County Republican Party – records from 1949-1977, convention information on the state,

county, and district levels, speeches, fund raising, campaign material, and old political buttons

and bumper stickers.

Grover, Donovan – discusses the Non-Partisan League and opposition in Ashby, MN by

merchants and bankers.

Grussing, George – a Clara City, MN native and state representative from 1955-1967 discusses

his career, the benefits of being a rural legislator, and the area watershed program. Grussing’s

papers include: drainage and soil conservation, education, outdoor recreations and resources

commission and correspondence, plus various governmental agency pamphlets, bound volumes

of legislative bills, and several years of House and Senate journals.

Hagen, Earl – member of the Minnesota House and Senate between 1931-1949, and resident of

Milan Township, Chippewa County, MN. Collection consists of transcripts, manuals, and other

legislative materials, plus commendation, correspondence, lobbying requests and other items.

Hanson, Herbert M./ Hanson, Linda/ Neil Harcum– discusses along with wife, Linda, and friend,

Neil Harcum, the early Republican party and the Non-Partisan League.

Hauge, Earl – discusses reasons for his defeat in the 1978 election for district 15A legislator.

Henningson, Berton E. “Randy” (1968-1987) – collection of papers related to his work for

Congressman Rick Nolan and Mark Dayton campaign materials. Also his M.A. and Ph.D

dissertations.

Johnson, Alfred I. (“A.I.”) – Papers, 1933-1973 – state representative from Swift County, MN,

includes correspondence with constituents, newspaper clippings concerning his career and

legislative issues. Records from his service on the Board of Regents included.

Updated June 2017

Kaufman, DorothyBelle – her papers include an interview with former Minnesota governor

Elmer Benson.

Kerwin, Dorothy – Papers, 1956-1970; Morris, MN newspaper clippings focusing on local

political issues and various campaigns, DFL literature, and a copy of autographs collected by

Kerwin.

Lofvegren, Clifford – Papers, 1950-1965; photographs and campaign material of Lofvegren, a

MN state senator from 1949 to 1967 representing the 25

district.

Minnesota Politics of the Left – Papers, 1968-1974; papers concerning the activities of the

Democratic Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota. Collection also includes anti-war materials,

mostly on the national level, papers from 1967-1971.

Olhoft, Wayne – Papers, 1973-1980 – correspondence and some legislative materials. Some

restrictions on access.

Pope County DFL – records from 1944-1976.

Richardson, Hervey M. – discusses 1930’s and 1940’s DFL politics, Farmer’s Co-ops, and 1948

election in Morris, MN and Stevens County, collection of papers from 1935-1965 of political

correspondence, campaign materials, and business records from Morris Cooperative Elevator,

Federated Telephone Cooperative, Agralite Cooperative, and the Farmers Union. Powerline

Controversy interview. Discusses role with Federated Telephone Cooperative – Chokio.

Sand, Arthur – discusses the Non-partisan League and the Farmer-Labor Party in the 1930’s, how

the Depression affected them, and their relation to the Democratic Party.

Schmidt, Sylvia Sand – papers, 1964-1998 – collection contains DFL political correspondence,

party papers, and materials from various state and national political campaigns, most from years

1972 and 1996. Collection, 1968-1984 – contains DFL party information, including MN campaign

materials, notes and biographies on Hubert H. Humphrey, and fund raising correspondence.

Some items related to the 1972 McCarthy Presidential campaign.

Schumaker, Wayne – correspondence with constituents, 1975-1976, when Schumaker was a

state representative for District 15A in Pope County, MN. Restricted

Smith, Gene – collection, 1968-1976, newspaper clippings, correspondence, press releases

legislative reports, and a computer printout of bills sponsored by Smith in the Minnesota State

Senate.

Stevens County Republican Party – records, 1955-1978

Strand, Roger E. – papers, 1976-1980 – state senator from District 15 near Cyrus, MN.

Restricted

Traverse County Republican Party – records, 1956-1977

Updated June 2017

Uehling, Anne Stewart – discusses the League of Women Voters in Morris, MN from its start in

1970 to 1981, the major projects the League has involved itself in, and the men’s role in the

League.

Wenstrom, Gene – papers, 1974-1978, collection contain materials gathered while Wenstrom

served as a state representative.

Youngdale, James M., Dr. – discusses family background, brief history of early Swift County, MN,

the Depression, his political affiliation, Minnesota politics during the 1930’s and 1940’s, Elmer

Benson, the influence of ethnic groups in Swift County, his election attempts, and the NFO.

Power Line Controversy (1974-1979)

Anderson, Charles – a grain farmer from Litchfield, MN, on Meeker County Cooperative and

Cooperative Power Association Boards, discusses cost of the power line project and causes and

issues concerning opposition to the line.

Anderson, Willard – the structure of the cooperative system and Agralite Cooperative in Benson,

MN (restricted)

Banks, Robert S. – chief author of the Minnesota Department of Health’s report on the 400+/-

FVDC power line. Restricted

Barsness, Nancy – discusses her involvement with the controversy while reporter for local news

organizations.

Berg, Charles “Charlie” – a State Senator discusses his views on why the controversy occurred,

his attempts to deal with the opposition, and why he felt the power line needed to be built.

Bradley, Wendell, Dr. – a physics and environmental studies professor discusses his involvement

and role in power plant, power line disputes, and opposition groups, also talks about the

organization of the Coalition of Rural Environmental Groups (CO-REG).

Brooks, Ronnie – former aid to Governor Rudy Perpich and representative to the Minnesota

Environmental Quality Board discusses her views on the power line controversy.

Claeson, John – a county judge near Glenwood, MN discusses his role and the problems he faced

during the power line controversy.

Emmons, Ira – Pope County, MN sheriff discusses the surveying for the power line and his

office’s dealings with confrontations, court orders, and the attitudes of the local people.

Fjoslien, Dave – a state representative from western Minnesota discusses his role and interest.

He talks about eminent domain, energy use and legislation, health and safety, role of legislators,

and effects on the people in the area. He discusses alternatives to coal.

Updated June 2017

Fuchs, Virgil – discusses how the power line affected his farm in Stearns County, MN and his

court case against the state of Minnesota, his views on the citizen’s advisory committee, the

governor’s role, legislative actions, and the People’s Power Project. Certain Access Restrictions

Gelbman, Jim – discusses the structure of MPIRG (Minnesota Public Interest Research Group),

the types of issues they became involved in, and their interest in the power line issue.

Hagen, Harold – a farmer and president of CURE (Counties United for Rural Environment)

discusses the atmosphere at CURE meetings, the organization of CURE, his role in the

confrontations, media coverage, and meetings with Governors Anderson and Perpich.

Hanson, Richard “Dick” – discusses the early stages of the power line controversy, his

opposition, and the impact of the controversy on politics in Pope County, MN. Collection

includes materials from political activist groups.

Hartman, Lawrence B. – project manager responsible for siting the 400+/- line built by United

Power Association and Cooperative Power Association.

Hayenga, Wallace – discusses the structure of the Blue Earth Nicollet Cooperative, the rationale

for undertaking the CU project, and the need for the +/- 400 power line.

Hedner, Gordon/ Hedner, Helen – discuss how the power line will affect their farm and the

possible effects on humans, livestock, and crops.

Hirsch, Merle N. Dr. – UMM physics professor discusses his involvement with the power line

controversy.

Jacobson, Donald G. – public relations representative for the United Power Association discusses

the role of public relations in planning for the powerline project. Restricted.

Jenks, Scott – Scott and his wife Lorraine, leaders in the opposition movement, discuss many

issues in the powerline dispute.

Jost, Paul – discusses the role of local cooperatives in forecasting the need for the powerline and

other information concerning the powerline.

KCMT Television Program – Powerline Opponents – a recording of a half hour program

broadcast on KCMT television Channel 7 in Alexandria, MN. Powerline opponents discuss their

views on the project and their perceptions of the issues involved.

Koudela, Carolyn – the president of Save Our Countryside discusses the issues relating to the

powerline.

Martin, Philip – Martin, the general manager of the United Power Association, discusses the

powerline controversy and other information related to the project.

Milhone, John – director of the Minnesota Energy Agency discusses the powerline project.

Updated June 2017

Nelson, C. David – Pope County attorney discusses the site selection and explains why they

wanted the National Guard called in to handle the confrontations.

Nelson, Jim – information flow, events, and meetings.

Olhoft, Wayne – state senator from Herman, MN discusses the 1973 power line citing act.

Interview is restricted.

Olson, Don – discusses the history of the Urban Supporters Group, the People’s Power Project,

the structure of cooperatives, and the role of the media.

Pick, Deborah – discusses her reasons for involvement in power line opposition groups, and her

perspective on questions of land use, energy, health and safety issues, effects on people in the

area, and this opposition effort compared to others around the country. Interview is restricted.

Powerline Convocation – a Powerline Controversy (1974-1979) series interview. Discusses how

CURE (Counties United for Rural Environment) was established, the necessity for the new power

line, and the role of conservation of energy.

Powerline Project - collection from 1967-1978, various materials that deal with the power line

constructed by United Power Association and Cooperative Power Association from near

Underwood, ND to near the Twin Cities in Minnesota.

Richardson, Hervey M. – discusses 1930’s and 1940’s DFL politics, Farmer’s Co-ops, and 1948

election in Morris, MN and Stevens County, collection of papers from 1935-1965 of political

correspondence, campaign materials, and business records from Morris Cooperative Elevator,

Federated Telephone Cooperative, Agralite Cooperative, and the Farmers Union. Powerline

Controversy interview. Discusses role with Federated Telephone Cooperative – Chokio.

Rutledge, Dennis – discusses how the power line impacted his life, how it affected people in the

area, and the state’s responsibility in the situation.

Schrom, Ed – Senator Schrom discusses the citing process for the power line, the easement

schedules, the importance of Eminent Domain for Public Works Projects, and the need for

electrical energy.

Schumaker, Wayne – discusses the power line situation and his role as a legislator. Restricted

Sheldon, Robert – public relations manager for Cooperative Power Association, discusses the

status of the power line.

Sieling, Louis A. – director of the Lake Region Co-op discusses the 8-10 year plan leading to the

building of the new power line and the input of the co-ops into the decision making process.

Stone, John R. – editor of the Pope County Tribune discusses the role of a community

newspaper in the controversy and the role of the media in general.

Strand, Roger E. – state senator from district 15 near Cyrus, MN discusses his involvement with

legislation relating to the power line. Restricted

Updated June 2017

Tollefson, Paul – discusses a petition signed by farmers in Steele and Waseca counties in support

of the power line.

Torborg, Elmer, Rev. – discusses the Catholic Church’s role in the rural community and in the

power line confrontation. Restricted

Tripp, Alice – discusses the issues of health and safety, experiences with state officials and utility

personnel, the court systems and its decision, and the organization within the opposition

groups. Restricted

VanderPoel, Peter – discusses the structure of the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, the

power line citing and routing process and changes made, the public hearings, the role of the

state and of citizens, and the decision making process for routing the lines. Restricted.

Wald, Kenneth – the DNR employee responsible for preparing the environmental impact

statement for the power line. Restricted

Woida, Gloria and Matt – discuss the impact of the line crossing their farmland, issues of health

and safety, tower placement, and administration of the power line project.

Railroads

Kampmeyer, George P. – discusses the history of railroads in Murray County and his experiences

with the railroad, 1938-1968.

Nelson, Ed – discusses his work (1910-1960) for the Great Northern Railroad.

Hilfers, Henry – discusses his experiences with and reminiscences of the railroads in the areas of

Wilson, Currie, Chandler, and Pipestone, MN, 1880s to 1963.

Northern Pacific Railroad – 1879-1914 – pamphlets, by-laws, contracts and agreements,

legislation, mortgages, reports, and speeches.

St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company – Trustees’ Deed from the First Division of the St. Paul and

Pacific Railroad Company written to Halvor Olson Haskin of Pope County, MN.

Schools and Education

Anderson, Helen R. – Sept. 1977 rural schools in west central Minnesota in the 1930s and

1940s in Douglas County

Anderson, Rosalie M. (Schmidt) – attending school near Morris, MN in the 1920s and 1930s

Andres, Iva – life as a rural schoolteacher (1920s)

Benson, Helmer – discusses along with Dick Martin the 1970s efforts to consolidate the

Murdock, MN and the Kerkhoven, MN public school systems.

Updated June 2017

Big Stone County Rural School Records – petition to the State of Minnesota from Artichoke

Township and Otrey Township in Big Stone County, MN asking for permission to form a school

district. Petion was presented and granted in March 1882.

Bigelow, L.C. –Traverse County School District Number 22 records, varying degrees of

completeness and condition.

Carbet, Fred, Mrs. (Adeline) – school teacher in District 8 near Morris, MN from 1928 through

the 1930 school year. She also talks about her years as a member of the District 8 school board.

Carlton College ALGOL Yearbooks – collection includes 1923, 1924, 1941, 1942

Charles, Ruby – discusses the general organization of rural schools and the life of a teacher in

rural Minnesota in the 1920s and 1930s.

Childs, H.G. (1909) – instructor in Wheaton, MN from the late 1890s to 1902. File includes an

application for a superintendent’s job in Rochester, MN, letters of recommendation, and photo.

Chippewa County Schools (1939-1952) – The financial papers of Chippewa County School District

#2 near Milan, MN.

Clara City Schools (1899-1972) – The Chippewa County School Districts 62 and 126 minutes,

financial statements, election materials, referendums, and Board dealings with faculty and staff.

Clontarf Indian School (1884-1899) – papers include correspondence, attendance records,

descriptions of children, articles of agreement, and a bibliography for a research paper on the

subject of the school.

Cunningham, Agnes – discusses school in Big Stone County, MN, the effects of the Depression

on teaching and WWII’s effect on teaching, diseases, and health problems in schools.

Dieter, George – discusses the need for the merger between the Chokio, MN and Alberta, MN

school systems, and the benefits gained after the merger in the early 1970s.

Eastlund, Harold – (1926-1936) discusses his years as county superintendent of schools in Pope

County, covers the role and function of the superintendent, early rural schools, and school

consolidation.

Ernst, William H. –discusses the consolidation (the first in the state) of Districts 25 and 19 to

form the Alberta, Stevens County School in 1912, the effect on the town, its effect on the

education system, and the model of the school at the 1915 World’s Fair. He had been a student,

bus driver, and school board member.

Grant County Schools (1890-1965) – collection consists of school records (treasurer’s and clerk’s

records), most dating from 1900-1940 for 50 rural school districts in Grant County, MN. Other

records include information on the hot lunch program, consolidation materials, school censuses,

Minnesota pupil records, and teachers’ reports to superintendents.

Updated June 2017

Lac Qui Parle School District #840 – Montevideo, MN – Records, 1958-1959; contains a check

book, a bank statement, and letters to the school board from county officers.

Martin, Richard (“Dick”) - discusses along with Helmer Benson the 1970s efforts to consolidate

the Murdock, MN and the Kerkhoven, MN public school systems.

Maughn, William E. – discusses his years in the Morris, MN schools during the 1900-19112

period.

Modern Scandinavian History, tapes, 1981 – Michael Metcalf narrates information on the

modern political and economic history of Scandinavia.

Morris Indian School – 1887-1909 – collection consists of photocopies of material in the National

Archives, Record Group No. 75. The Sisters of Mercy founded the Morris Indian School in 1887

with support from the U.S. Office of Indian Affairs.

Nelson, Agnes – discusses her early teaching career in Big Stone County, MN during the 1920’s

and 1930’s and her work as a rural school superintendent from 1934 to 1958.

Norgaard, Ed – discusses family history, rural schools, city schools, the Minnesota High School

League, school consolidation, teacher-administrator-community relations in the Glenwood, MN

area from the 1920’s to the 1960’s.

Nypen, Burton – discusses the consolidation of the Chokio, MN and Alberta, MN school systems.

Olson, Myrtle – discusses schools and teaching near Glenwood, MN from 1916-1960.

Palm, James – discusses the early consolidation of the rural schools in the Kerkhoven, MN area

and the consolidation of the Kerkhoven, Murdock, and Sunburg schools in 1976-1977.

Schaeffer, Elaine C. – discusses the history of Pomme de Terre village (MN) during the late

1800’s, family history, her early life experiences, and her experiences in the field of education as

a teacher and administrator around the United States.

Schmidt, Charles, Mrs. – discusses her years (1942-1954) as a member of the school board in

school district 8, near Morris, MN which was consolidated in 1954.

Schmidt, Henry and Mary – discuss their years (1940’s and 1950’s) living in school district 8, near

Morris, MN when their ten children were attending school there.

Schumaker, Mary – discusses family history, teaching in Ortonville, MN during the early 20

century, social and intellectual activities, Ortonville, MN and the railroad, WWI, and German

citizen repression, storms and the Depression.

Soberg, Elvira – discusses her work as Grant County, MN country school teacher in the 1920’s

and 1930’s and various aspects of the Senior Federation organization in Minnesota.

Stahler, Bonnie – discusses high school sports in Morris, MN before and during the Depression.

Updated June 2017

State Department of Education – miscellaneous reports to the MN State Legislature.

Stevens County Public Schools – records, 1887-1970 – mostly reports from clerks, teachers, and

annual reports to the superintendent, also includes pupil scholastic records, pupil census data,

teacher qualification and state board examination records. Some restrictions

Sunquist, Kathryn M. – Sunquist, and her sister Rosalie Anderson, discuss their years of

attending district 8 school near Morris, MN during the 1920’s and 1930’s, concentrating on

academics and social activities.

Swanke, Ann – discusses her education and early teaching experiences at the beginning of the

century.

Swift County Schools – records, 1880-1877, 35 volumes – superintendent records, much

information on schools in Benson, MN during the 1920’s through the 1940’s, complete censuses

of schools in Swift County from 1947-1965, and a fairly complete set of school censuses and

records of District 77 (2239) Westbank township, and District 28 (2197) Cashel township.

Todd County Schools – records, 1907-1917, School District 101

West Central Education Development Association – records, 1967-1976

Social and Environmental Issues of the Area

Allen, Gordon (Rock) – alcoholism in Stevens County in the 1970s.

Bigelow, L.C. – Browns Valley Women’s Christian Temperance Union minutes from 1898 to

1905.

Grant County Welfare Department (1879-1946) – volumes containing information on the old age

assistance program, office accounts, register of relief orders issued, and certificate of tax

judgments.

Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Morris, MN – collection consists primarily of

government publications concerned with the difficulty faced by low-income persons trying to

obtain housing.

Hustad, Tegner – Glacial Lakes State Park ranger during the 1960’s discusses the preservation of

prairie lands, management of the land and changes in prairie plant and animal life in the

previous 60 years.

Koser, Rodney – discusses the prairie as private property and as part of the DNR Wetlands. He

also discusses the management of the land and the changes in the plant and animal life in the

area.

Martinson, Ed – Papers, 1931-1955; political and constituent correspondence dealing with topics

of conservation, recreation, water and flood control, New Deal, and post-war issues, and other

legislative concerns. Also includes a variety of pamphlets and reports.

Updated June 2017

Political Theory and Utopia – video recorded copy of lectures by Mulford Q. Sibley of the

University of Minnesota, discusses aspects of utopias.

Scharf, John – discusses the acquisition of the Helsene Prairie land by the DNR in 1960 and the

history of the Wildlife Management Areas statewide and in Stevens county.

Smedley, Walter – discusses his ownership of a portion of what is now the Helsene Prairie Land,

and his use and management of the land.

Strandness, Elisabeth – discusses Strandness Prairie and The Nature Conservancy. Some

restrictions.

Wesmin Resource Conservation and Development Association – records, 1962-1980

West Central Experiment Station – weather summaries, 1919-1970

Stories and Papers – Personal and Community

Beaty, Burlingame, Green Genealogies – a scrapbook put together by David Green to tell the

story of his life in Clinton, MN. Also included is a genealogy of Andrew and Permilla Cox Warner

of Herkimer County in New York.

Bogie, Mary – discusses her childhood and younger years on a farm in Pope County, MN during

the 1920s and 1930s.

Burfiend, Helen – discusses her life in Wheaton, MN and her father, George Gray Allanson, and

his history, newspaper business, and politics.

Buntje, Ed – life in Morris from the 1930s to the 1970s as a truck driver and construction worker.

He also talks about old hotels in Morris.

Busch, Larry – life in Pepperton Township in 1920s through 1940s, also discusses his work in the

Civilian Conservation Corps, the WPA, the National Guard, and his hobbies.

Carson, Josephine – discusses a variety of topics about life near Kensington, MN in the time

period from 1880s to the 1930s.

Cartwright, Mabel – discusses her family history, childhood, and community life in Morris, MN

during the 1910s-1920s.

Casanova, Blanche – discusses her 1912-1926 childhood near Sisseton, South Dakota, high

school years on the Iron Range, the Depression, and Yugoslavians during WWII.

Cunningham, Agnes – discusses family history, school in Big Stone County, MN, the effects of the

Depression on teaching and WWII’s effect on teaching, diseases, and health problems in schools.

Danforth, Mary Dockstader Davidson (1866-1961) – handwritten letters describing her

childhood in Morris, MN and Hancock, MN during the late 1800s. The letters describe her

Updated June 2017

family, building methods, pioneer life, descriptions of grasshopper plagues and blizzards, also

her relationship to Ignatius Donnelly, and her career as a schoolteacher.

Doherty, Mary – describes growing up in Clontarf, MN, her Irish family, the church, and being a

rural schoolteacher in Swift and Stevens counties during the 1930s.

Doherty, Mary Kent – discusses her grandparents’ settlement in Clontarf, MN, the importance of

the Catholic Church in community life, characteristics of St. Malachy’s parish priests, and the

school consolidation between Benson and Clontarf during the 1920s.

Dosdall, Henry – recalls early farm life and early school days. He describes his first ride in a car

and his first car in 1923.

Eames, Camilla – 1920s-1970s, discusses general family history and the organizations to which

she belonged.

Eberlin, Ellen – discusses her family history.

Eide, Annette (Arneson) – talks about living at the Stewart House(1891), a Queen Anne mansion,

in Morris, MN bought in 1936.

Ellingson, Ethel(Mrs. Oliver Hanson) – contains comments about grandparents’ move to

Minnesota, Grant and Douglas counties, school, church, early transportation, Diphtheria

epidemic in 1888, burial practices, Dr. Griswold from Hoffman, Barrett businesses, and farming.

Falk, Albert S. – scrapbook concerning his pension-dividend plan proposed after the Depression,

photograph of Falk.

Fennel, Robert – discusses living in the Clontarf, MN community from the 1880s to the 1970s.

Goodyear, Elmer – discusses early prairie schools, the Depression, and a wagon train move from

South Dakota to Iowa during 1934-35.

Grant County Reminiscences (1972-1975) – interviews covering many aspects of life in Grant

County, MN. People interviewed include: Sigrud Bartness, Ted Berg, Hugh Block, Emma

Brenvold, Olive Briggs, Fred Burns, Charles Christianson, Tena Fjoslien, Mrs. Tosten Hagen, Bill

Larson, Orrin Larson, Mrs. Hodgson Nelson, Henry Olson, Alfred Schaeffer, Victor Setterland,

George Shervey, Olin Thompson, and Henry Thornberg.

Hansen, Ernie – discusses his father’s blacksmith operation, his career as a rural mail carrier

(1919-1965), the Depression in Ashby, MN, and the Non-Partisan League.

Hanson, Herbert M./Hanson, Linda/ Neil Harcum – discusses the social and civic clubs in Browns

Valley, MN during the early 20

century, the corn and alfalfa exposition in Morris, MN in 1912,

the Farm Bureau, and operating a store in west central Minnesota.

Holzer, Harry “Cap” – discusses college days at Carleton College, prohibition, WWII activities,

and the development of Montevideo, MN.

Updated June 2017

Iverson, Carl – discusses 1868 farming, Fort Pomme de Terre, the non-Partisan League, the

Farmer-Labor Party, the Depression, farm mortgages, dust storms, the University of Minnesota,

Morris, the Planned Experimental City near Ashby, MN, and the Farmer’s Holiday Movement.

Kaufman, DorothyBelle – Papers, 1862-1980; several different items: memoir and newspaper

story of a young woman during the 1862 Sioux Uprising, Kaufman’s grandfather’s diary, a speech

by her father, H.L. Mills, an account of her other grandfather, George Wilson McCree’s WWI

recruiting experiences. It also includes Kaufman’s friend, Mary Anne Banken’s account of her

immigration to America from Holland in 1894, and a 1979 interview with Elmer Benson, a

former governor of Minnesota.

Kohn, Kathryn – discusses her memories of Grant County during 1920’s and 1930’s, comparing it

to life in Germany. She describes Theodore Roosevelt’s speech in Luverne, MN in 1912.

LaFave, Edward J., Jr. – Papers, 1959-1987; collection includes correspondence papers, personal

papers, awards, and membership papers, concerning the beginnings of the University

Minnesota, Morris, banking in Morris, MN, the University of Minnesota, and soil conservation.

The collection also includes deeds, title contracts, and papers of his father. Access requires the

permission of center director.

Larson, Marie – discusses family life, the lives of settlers in the late 1800’s in west central

Minnesota, home remedies, social activities in Stevens County, MN, education, and the

Depression.

Lennick, T.V. – discusses his work as an electrical engineer for Cooperative Power Association

and the Central Power Electric Association.

Lund, Bernice – discusses her family history, rural schools and teaching conditions in west

central Minnesota during the 1930’s, UMM, and the community of Morris.

Meyers, Mildred (Young) – discusses her family history, the Republican party, and activities in

the health field.

Mohr, Elsie – discusses her experiences in rural Stevens County, MN in early 20

century and

her life as a German-American during WWI and WWII.

Morrison, Ed – Papers, 1956-1971; material on the rebuilding of the Morris National Guard

Armory, the formation of the North Central Soil and Water Conservation Laboratory, and District

6 Republican papers from 1962-1971.

Nelson, L.M. – Papers, 1897-1909 – the sexton of Appleton, MN from 1884 to 1909 collected the

obituaries of the people he buried, also included are a set of Norwegian letters and verses and

copies of letters sent to various monument companies.

Nichols Family Papers – Letters, 1844-1862 – family correspondence while the family was living

in the Connecticut River Valley and the Minnesota Territory.

Oster, Anatole – Correspondences, 1866-1910.

Updated June 2017

Pederson, Dorothy C.A. – Papers, 1966-1978 – writings, manuscripts, and research materials of

Pederson, a writer an ethnic historian from Pope County, MN.