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Browse Items (3004 total)
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Sons of Norway and Daughters of Norway papers, 1907-2014
History/Biography:
Sons of Norway/Sønner av Norge was founded by 18 members on January 16, 1895, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to promote and preserve the heritage and culture of Norway and to provide life insurance to its members. Membership was originally open to males of Norwegian descent between the ages of 20 and 50 who were capable of giving proof of being morally upright, in good health, and capable of supporting a family. A second lodge was established in South Minneapolis in 1899 and a third was founded in the northeastern section of the city in 1900. The Minneapolis model quickly spread. By the end of 1900, lodges had been established in cities and towns with substantial Norwegian-American populations across the United States.
The organization published a monthly magazine, Sønner av Norge (Sons of Norway), which kept members updated on activities of the group.
In December 1938, the Sons of Norway absorbed the American auxiliary of The Knights of the White Cross Order (Riddere av Det Hvite Kors) which had been founded in Chicago in 1863. Women were admitted to local groups as early as 1916, in areas where the female auxiliary was unorganized. Daughters of Norway lodges in the Midwest were merged with the Sons of Norway in 1950 and a system of junior lodges was created in 1956. The Grand Lodge of the Daughters of Norway, which dates to 1908, continues as a separate association.
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Jacob Stefferud papers, 1916-1964
Articles, brochures, clippings, correspondence, reports, and scrapbooks of a Norwegian-born Minneapolis resident. Stefferud was chief clerk for the Norwegian America Line in their New York and Minneapolis offices, acting consul for Norway, and a commissioner for Nordmanns-Forbundet. -
John Storseth papers, 1929-1944
Manuscripts of a Norwegian-born farmer, lumberman, and self-taught student of literature and religion: "Old Homes and New" and its Norwegian counterpart, "Fra gammel og ny tid i Norge og Amerika," is an autobiography, depicting the problems of adjustments between Norwegian and American cultures; "The Ancients" and "The Mysteries of Space," are sketches on science and astrology; "Djævelskab" is an assortment of sketches. Excerpts from the autobiography were published in "Studies and Records," volume 13, 1943. NB: See Storseth's "Stemninger og minner" in Trønderlagets aarbok 1940-41," pp. 7-20. -
Temperance Movement papers, 1841-1962
Articles, reports, songs, stories, and pamphlets concerning the temperance movement among Norwegian Americans. There are reports from organizations in Alberta, Canada, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, and articles by Waldemar Ager, Adolf Bredesen, Carl E. Carlson, Theodor H. Dahl, Knut Gjerset, Paul M. Glasoe, and Gjermund Hoyme.
View select digitized material online here. -
J. Jørgen Thompson papers, 1896-1963
Articles, clippings, correspondence, pamphlets, and records of a Wisconsin-born St. Olaf College administrator and teacher. The papers concern campus life, public relations, counseling, courses of study, student and teacher recruitment, funds solicitation, band and choir tours, and Norwegian-American culture. Manuscripts include: "Rølvaag som lærer," "Min konfirmations dag" (1938), and minutes of the Board of the Norwegian Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Thompson was president of Spokane College (1917-1920); dean of men at St. Olaf college (1923-1942); secretary of NAHA (1931-1958); president of the National Association of Deans and Advisers of Men (1940-1941). -
Oscar A. Tingelstad papers, 1899-1953
Correspondence, records, articles, reports, and account books of a Lutheran clergyman, educator, and author. Dr. Tingelstad was professor of psychology and education and registrar (1909-1928) and professor of philosophy and Bible (1944-1953) at Luther College, and president of Pacific Lutheran College (1928-1943).
Personal as well as professional correspondence runs throughout the collection and provides information on family affairs and on educational and professional careers of friends and colleagues. He defended the classical course of study in the colleges he served and in the main took a conservative stance on religious doctrine. Topics discussed are theory of evolution, liberal theology, rationalism in the church, curriculum development, church mergers, student recruitment, building programs and problems related to financing private colleges. In brief, his correspondence treats issues and problems prominent in college and church affairs during the first half of the twentieth century.
Manuscripts by Tingelstad: "The Historic Position of Lutheranism" (1927), "Registration Procedure and Preparation of Class Lists" (1927), "Academic Freedom and Tenure" (1939), "Brought up a Lutheran-But" (ca. 1945), "Thy Word is Truth" (1948), and "How Do Our Colleges Measure up to Present Day Educational Standards?" (1948). Meticulously kept, the account books contain detailed records of all correspondence and all personal financial transactions for the years indicated. See also correspondence with Mrs. Tingelstad, 1953-1955 in Archives contributions correspondence, NAHA Secretarial Records.
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Tracts newsletters, undated
A continuing file for tracts in English and in Norwegian published by various religious groups, including the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. -
Andrew A. Veblen papers, 1902-1964
The papers consist mostly of manuscript material (data, research notes, genealogical information) for Veblen's "The Valdris Book" (1920), and of World War I military service records of natives of Valdres, Norway. Among the papers are Simle and Ruste genealogies; a family sketch written in the Valdres dialect by Sam Thompson; a description of the journey from Valdres to Whalen, Minnesota, by E. A. Hjelde; letters from Nils Brandt, Juul Dieserud, Nils Flaten, J. C. M. Hanson, and Ole Juul; and a memorial statement by Dr. Laur. Larsen about G. O. Rustad, supervisor of construction operations of the first Luther College building. Veblen was a professor of physics, first president of the Valdres "bygdelag" and first editor of its magazine, and first president of the Common Council of the "bygdelags." NB: See Minnesota Historical Society, Veblen papers, 1876-1933 (5 boxes, including 44 vols. & 20 additional vols. -
Martin E. Waldeland papers, 1931-1933
Short stories, articles, poems, and correspondence of a Lutheran clergyman. Waldeland served in Iowa parishes, was the chairman of his synod's publicity and transportation bureaus, and the author of short stories.
Includes: Articles, stort stories, poems, correspondence, Luther League Address given at St. Olaf College, May 30, 1915, Publicity Bureau, NLCA, minutes, and transcription of Hans Nielsen Hauge books. -
Waldemar Ager papers, 1874-1943
History/Biography:
Waldemar Theodor Ager was born in Fredrikstad, Østfold, Norway to Martinius Mathiesen Ager and Marie Fredrikke Mathea Johnsdatter Stillaugsen. Martinius first emigrated to the United States by himself, starting a tailoring business. Eventually, Ager and the rest of the family joined Martinus in Chicago. In Chicago, Ager worked for the Norwegian-language newspaper, Norden. His newspaper career flourished when he moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and was offered a job at a Norwegian temperance newspaper called Reform. Ager became editor from 1903-1941. Ager was a leader in the prohibition movement. He helped organize total abstinence societies and Good Templar lodges across the Upper Midwest. Ager remained a teetotaler his entire life.In addition to his newspaper career, Ager also wrote six novels and collections of short stories. Among his best known books are "Paa drikkeondets Konto" (1894), "Kristus for Pilatus" (1910), "Oberst Heg og hans gutter" (1916), "Paa veien til smeltepotten" (1917), "Gamlelandets sønner" (1926), and "Hundeøine" (1929).
See also "The Problem of Cultural Identity in the Works of Waldemar Ager, Simon Johnson, and Johannes B. Wist," a PhD dissertation by James P. Nelson, University of Washington, 1990.
Scope and Content:
The papers of a Norwegian-born journalist, author, and lecturer include clippings, articles, correspondence, manuscripts of books, poems, programs, records, sketches, and stories dealing with subjects such as Norwegian culture and heritage, Americanism, memorials to Norwegians in America, and temperance.Among the correspondents are Carl F. Berg, Arne K. Berger, L. W. Boe, H. A. Eckers, John O. Evjen, Ruth Fjeldsaa, Sigurd Folkestad, Einar Haugen, John Heitmann, H. R. Holand, Simon Johnson, Arne Kildal, Lars Lillehei, E. L. Mengshoel, Jon Norstog, Torkel Oftelie, K. Prestgard, D. G. Ristad, Mrs. O. E. Rølvaag, Johan Selnes, T. A. Siqueland, Edvard Skille, Charles C. W. Storck, J. L. Urheim, and Alexander Wiley.