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Browse Items (3004 total)
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Ditlef G. Ristad papers, 1880-1938
Papers of a Norwegian-born poet, educator, lecturer, and Lutheran clergyman: correspondence; manuscripts of articles, lectures, poems, and sermons by Ristad; clippings of articles by and about him and subjects in which he was interested; and records of organizations he supported.
The papers are largely from the period 1920 to 1938. Most of the letters by Ristad deal with church activity. The papers deal with such subjects as church union; Grundtvigianism; church school problems; organization and finances of the church; the Norwegian Museum at Decorah, Iowa; the collecting, research, publication, and financial program of NAHA; the Norwegian-American exhibit at the Century of Progress, Chicago; restoration of the Trondheim Cathedral; and the preservation of Norwegian culture in America.
Ristad was a minister at Edgerton and Manitowoc, Wisconsin; president of three church schools; editor of "Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter"; first president of NAHA; president of the Trønderlag; and president of the Eastern District of his church (1936-1937). Correspondents include J. A. Aasgaard, Waldemar Ager, T. C. Blegen, L. W. Boe, Arne Fjellbu, L. M. Gimmestad, Knut Gjerset, Carl G. O. Hansen, Einar Haugen, Jacob Hodnefield, Hjalmer R. Holand, M. A. Holvik, U. V. Koren, Laur. Larsen, R. Malmin, O. M. Norlie, Jon Norstog, Torkel Oftelie, Julius E. Olson, Birger Osland, E. J. Oyen, Kristian Prestgard, C. K. Preus, Ove J. H. Preus, Carlton C. Qualey, O. E. Rølvaag, A. N. Rygg, Peder Tangjerd, I. B. Torrison, and Johs. B. Wist. -
Red Wing Seminary papers, 1887-1933
Biography/History:
Red Wing Seminary started as the educational center for the Hauge Synod, and was in operation from 1879 to 1932. By 1917, with the merger of the Hauge Synod into the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, a new seminary was formed called Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. After that merger, the school continued on as an academy and junior college of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. However, in 1932 those programs were merged into St. Olaf College.With the creation of the Hauges Synod in 1876, there was a calling to provide better education for training men for the ministry. The first attempt for a school was in 1854 in Lisbon, Illinois. A second attempt in 1865 at Koshkonong, but not until land was purchased in Red Wing, Minnesota in 1867 was there a start to solidifying a center for education. However, the synod abandoned the project in 1877 – nearly a decade later.
H.M. Sande, Rev. Østen Hanson, and A. Ellingson purchased an abandoned school property in Red Wing. The deal was later approved by the Synod and the land previously bought was traded in on this property. The next challenge, after purchasing the property, was to find teachers for the seminary. At a Synod meeting in 1879, they extended a call to Rev. A. Weenaas of Norway to become the new president and theological professor. However, he declined.
Their luck changed when they decided to extend a call to Rev. I. Eistensen to be temporary resident and theological professor. He accepted and opened the seminary on September 17, 1879. The seminary also had Prof. G.O. Brohough to teach preparatory classes. However, when Rev. Eistensens year as temporary president was up, he declined to renew his position. The Synod sent a delegation to Norway to secure a professor and pastor for the school.
Professor Weenas was selected, but he could not come for a year. J. Kyllingstad, who just returned from mission work in Africa, was the temporary president and instructor in religion. Professor Weenas arrived in the summer of 1882, with the school opening up that fall. The first students of the theological department included Iver Hatlestad, T.J. Skjei, G.C. Gjerstad, C.C. Holter, L.L. Nervig, J.B.A. Dahle, A. Wold, O.O. Bergh. M.G. Hanson, and P.C. Rømo.
Scope and Content:
Correspondence, records, catalogs, photographs, and histories of a Lutheran Seminary founded in 1879, as both an academy and a divinity school. The correspondence deals with the problems of the post-merger period, recruitment of students, employment and salaries of teachers, and the organization of new departments. -
Gerhard Rasmussen papers, 1876-1946
Articles, autograph books, clippings, correspondence, diaries, notebooks, reports, and sermons of a Lutheran clergyman. Among his papers are materials on the Lutheran Deaconess Home and Hospital in Chicago, Augsburg Seminary, St. Olaf College, the use of the English language in the church (1893), Lisbon, Illinois, cultural conditions, the merger movement among Norwegian Lutherans, and sketches of his father, P. A. Rasmussen. Among his correspondents are Nils C. Brun, Markus O. Bøckman, Theodor H. Dahl, Peder Dreyer, Thore Eggen, Peder J. Eikeland, Nils J. Ellestad, Severin Gunderson, Bjørn Holland (his mother's brother), Hans C. Holm, Even J. Homme, Mikel C. Holseth, John N. Kildahl, Laur. Larsen, Gerhard Lenske, Lars Lund, W. A. Passavant, L. H. Schuh, Hans G. Stub, Peder Tangjerd, Martin E. Waldeland, and Carl M. Weswig. Most of the letters by Rasmussen are to his parents and to Gjermund Hoyme.
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Peter A. Rasmussen papers, 1830-1941
Correspondence, reports, articles, pamphlets, and clippings of a Norwegian-born Lutheran clergyman, author, and editor. Rasmussen immigrated in 1850; was a parochial school teacher (1850-1852); minister, Lisbon, Illinois (1854-1897); president, Eielsen Seminary, Lisbon (1854- 1855); organizer of Lisbon Society for Publication of Textbooks and Devotional Books (1856); editor of "Kirkelig Tidende" (1856-1861) and of "Opbyggelseblad" (1877-1887); and author of books and articles treating theological subjects.
Some of the topics discussed are education, foreign and home missions, theological doctrine, union of synods, lay activity in the church, recruitment of pastors from Norway, St. Olaf College, Augsburg Seminary, and life in the Lisbon settlement. Among the correspondents are Ludvig M. Biorn, August Cramer, Nils J. Ellestad, E. S. Holland (his brother-in-law), Gjermund Hoyme, Gisle Johnson, John N. Kildahl, J. Landsverk, N. J. Laache, Olaus Nielsen, and Friedrich A. Schmidt. Many of the letters are from Rasmussen. -
Olaf E. Ray papers, 1898-1944
Papers of a Norwegian-born attorney and etymologist: correspondence, clippings, journals, pamphlets, and notes for his book "Vore navne" (1944). Ray wrote frequently for the local press on civic matters. His chief interests were the Leif Erikson discovery of America and the etymology of Norwegian names. He represented Sons of Norway at the Millenary of the Duchy of Normandy festival in June, 1911.
Includes:- Correspondence, 1906-1948
- Clippings, Biographical, Civic and Political, Norwegian-American Societies, Norway, Rollo the Walker, Leif Ericson (Erikson)
- Photo scrapbook of the Norroena Society of America Vinland Saga. Produced by Charles E. Pressley, assisted by Robert V. Phelan. Score by Harold Van Der Voort. Costumes by L.C. Smith and Aniken Soholt. Held at the Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara, California (1937)
- K.H.J. Orm Notes and letters
- Etymology, Scandinavian Names
- Articles, etymology (n.d.)
- "Vore Navne" (1944) notes
- Anderson Controversy
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Kristian Prestgard papers, 1884-1945
Digital Collections:- Portrait of a young man, presumably Jørgen Bukdahl, sent from Bukdahl to Kristian Prestgard, circa 1920
- Photograph, outdoors, perhaps of a congregation, with about 100 men, women, and children, circa 1891
- Kristian Prestgard, Herman Roe, circa 1935
- Portrait of a young Kristian Prestgard, circa 1900
- Rev. Kristian Prestgard & Anne Margaret Haugen i red. Lunds park utenfor deres hjem i Decorah 5te august 1937
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Pacific Lutheran University papers, 1908-1956
Brochures, bulletins, catalogues, minutes, programs, and history of a Parkland, Washington, college founded in 1894. "Investment in an Heritage" and notes on the Mortvedt Library "Scandinavian Immigrant Experience Special Collection."
Includes:- Brochures, Programs, Reports, 1908-1959
- "Investment in an Heritage," Scandinavian Studies at Pacific Lutheran University. Prepared by the University Scandinavian Studies Committee (April 15, 1978), typescript, 8 pgs.
- History & Maps. History prepared by N.J. Hong (1917). Letter from Dr. Helmer P.K. Agersborg, Sr. to Kenneth Bjork regarding family history and association with Pacific Lutheran (1958)
- Minutes and Reports, 1901-1917
- Minutes and Reports, 1934-1943
- Brochure, 1918
- Educating for Service; Pacific Lutheran University, 1890-1990 (1990). Nordquist, Philip A.: Pacific Lutheran University Press, Takoma, Washington.
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Birger Osland papers, circa 1910-circa 1950
Biography/History:
Ole Birger Osland (1870-1963) was an official in various enterprises of Charles H. Wacker (1893-1911); founder and president of Birger Osland and Company, investment bankers (1911-1940); general western manager of the Norwegian America Steamship Line (1911-1923) and for many years a member of its board of representatives; secretary-treasurer of Lake Otis Groves, Inc.; director of the Scandinavian Trust Company of New York until its merger with New York Trust Company; and vice president of Chicago Security Dealers Association. From 1917 to 1919 Osland was an attaché with rank of major in the Military Intelligence Division of the U.S. Army, stationed in Christiania (now Oslo), and also a member of the U.S. Food Administration, Copenhagen.
Osland was a trustee of the Century of Progress Exposition; member of the Norwegian-American World's Fair Auxiliary Committee; treasurer of NAHA for 25 years; director and also president of the Norwegian-American Hospital; and national treasurer of Norwegian Relief, Inc., during World War II. The correspondence, about half of which is letters by Osland, deals with business enterprises, civic interests, philanthropy, and family. Topics discussed include city, state, and federal politics; banking and investments; Osland's work as organizer of American financial participation in the Norwegian America Line in 1911-1912; and the participation of Norway and Norwegian Americans in the Century of Progress Exposition.
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Olaf Olsen papers, 1857-1939
History/Biography:
Ole Olsen was born March 12, 1871 to Marie Gulbrandsdatter (1841-) and Edvart Olsen (1838-) in Oslo, Norway. He had five siblings: Josephine Bertha (1869-), Marie (1873-), Gulbrand (1875-), Helga (1877-), and Harald (1880-). Olaf and his sister, Bertha, arrived in Castle Garden, New York City, on May 26, 1890 before arriving at their final destination. They traveled through Pittsburg, Columbus, Little Rock, Texarkana, Austin, San Antonio, and Pena. Olaf married Emma Noble on June 14, 1905, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Together they had a daughter, Ena/Ina Frances Olsen, born in 1906.Olsen was a shop machinist in Laredo (Texas), Wilmington (Delaware), and Philadelphia (Pennsylvania). He was also machinist on English ships and served in the U.S. Revenue Cutter Services during the Spanish-American War (1898). After 1900, he worked as an engineer with coastal trade steamship lines. He was also a member of the Socialist Party of America.
Scope and Content:
Correspondence, articles, reports, drawings, diaries, log-books, notebooks, clippings, and pamphlets of a Norwegian-born machinist and engineer. The correspondence deals with such topics as problems in engineering, sea disasters, strikes and labor problems, drought, farm crops, recreation, and religion.In a letter dated September 29, 1890, Olsen describes his journey from Oslo to Laredo, Texas, via ship and rail. Most of the letters by Olsen are to his wife. The articles include biographies of members of Olsen's family and also treat Yukon gold rush experiences. One diary concerns his immigration journey to America.
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Niels H.F. Olsen papers, 1848-1959
Albums, clippings, genealogies, letters, and legal papers of a Norwegian-born engineer, Dearborn, Michigan. Olsen was owner of Hexagon Tool and Engineering Corporation, Dearborn, Michigan.
Includes:- Clippings, Genealogies, Legal Papers. Includes photostatic copy of section of newspaper telling about his brother, Captain Olsen's ship being torpedoed (1915)
- Army Album--Navy "E" Awards given during World War II. Award given July 26, 1944 for high achievement in the production of materials for war; "Norwegian hydro-electric society" photo booklet (n.d.); and photo album of the Nazi Invasion of Norway (April 9 - May 16, 1940).