In this oral history conducted on 1979 - 07-06 Rudy Bagge describes life on the farm in Askov, Minnesota in 1920 - 1940. His father started the Danish colony. He recounts how rutabagas became a cash crop in the area. He recalls the road monkey,the sawmill, moonshine during Prohibition, and selling blueberries.
In this oral history conducted on 1978-04-20 Medora Peterson recalls her early life and education in Askov, Minnesota. She paid for college by purchasing war bonds. She met her husband, Hjalmer Peterson, when he was a state representative in 1930. Hjalmar was involved in building the new bridge, established the Askov American, and started the Askov band. He was Railroad and Warehouse Commisioner and went on to become Governor of Minnesota.
In this oral history conducted in 1979, Ruth Stovring recounts her father coming to the United States to avoid becoming a German soldier. He came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ruth came to Askov, Minnesota after marrying her husband, Sigrid, because land was cheap and there was a Danish settlement. She recalls Peterson's store, Johnson's store, Bethlehem Lutheran church, Rev. Deyval, Hjalmar Peterser, and when the name was changed from Partridge to Askov. Her husband wrote for the Danish newspaper 'Danoverka'.
In this oral history Margaret Meier describes life in Denmark. Her grandfather was a bricklayer, her grandmother carded, spun and wove wool. Her father was manager of a large farm with 11 hired milk girls - her mother was one of them. She descibes conditions on the boat when they came to the United States and the conditions at Ellis Island. They originally came to Iowa, then came to Askov. They kept the Danish traditions after she was married. She recalls the Depression when they had to destroy cattle due to no feed. Margaret bacame a mid-wife and delivered 35 babies. She also workied in the bakery for 10 years and was secretary of the meat ring.
In this interview conducted on 1979-06-15, Harold Fisher describes his early years in Askov, Minnesota and his school years at Carlson schoolhouse. He recalls the depression and picking rutabagas. Harold was mayor of Askov when water was brought in. He drove school bus for 44 years.
In this oral history conducted in 1981 Valborg Sandahl, 92, describes emmigrating to the U.S from Denmark at age 17. She recounts her life growing up in Waterloo, Iowa, where she met her husband.
In this oral history conducted about 1970 Hilda Hedin recounts life with her husband on their farm in Askov, Minnesota during the depression. They spoke Swedish at home and observed mostly religious holidays in the Swedish way.
In this oral history Wilfew Olesen tells the history of the Askov Fire Department, which includes building the first Viking pump. He recalls some of the earliest fires. Volunteers received $1.00 per fire. Clarence Morgensen donated the truck chassis for the first fire truck.
In this interview conducted 1979-06-26, Arild Fredrickson recalls his father having the first barbershop in Askov, Minnesota. Arild was a line type operator for the Askov American. He remember picnics at Low Landing and Rock Dam. There were programs in the park on June 5 and July 4. He described delivering cream to the creamery, which only churned butter for Land o' Lakes. He described meat rings.
In this oral history Marie Milterson describes coming from Denmark through Ellis Island to Nebraska. She moved to Askov, Minnesota after she was married. They farmed and were the only Mormons in the area.
Alfred (Irv) Nelson discusses his work with Company 708 of the Civilian Conservation Corps located at Rabideau Lake, South of Blackduck in Beltrami County, Minnesota. He describes the camp and camp life, and the various work projects including road building, tree planting, firefighting and fire prevention.
Clarence Johnson talks about his work in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He describes the camp at Big Lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota and the various work assignments including fire prevention, firefighting, road building, tree planting, roadside cleanup and forest conservation.
Betty Nelson colorfully describes being a child growing up visiting Sibley State Park. She includes tales of biking to Sibley, what her parents thought of the "hippie" youth pastor, and an annual Father's Day picnic at Cedar Hill.
Lerman Family history; Lerman's work in the US Post Office and the railroads; getting into law school at the University of Minnesota and his many years of legal practice as a labor lawyer. Lerman was also involved with the St. Paul Workman's Circle, and discusses labor-related activities in the St. Paul Jewish community, including Labor-Zionism. A PDF version of the transcript available at http://reflections.mndigital.org/cdm4/pdf-assets/jhs-lerman.pdf
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Interview with Harry Bedman. Bedman gives a history of the fishing resort his family owned from about 1880 into the 20th century. He talks about the trains bringing in tourists, shipping fish packed in ice by train. His father was named Charles Bedman and was the founder of the Alexandria Boat Works.
Interview with Borghild Skrove and her husband Tony. She shares memories of her childhood and family. Her grandparents immigrated from Norway. Her father (Hammergren?) had an ice house and dray.
Interview with Nellie (Jerry) Hoffman. She relates the history of her family at Indian Mounds, including the University of Minnesota excavation of second largest Indian Mound Minnesota and the history of woodlands Indians in the area.
Interview with James K. LeRoy, son of H.A. and Alice LeRoy. H.A. owned hardware, lumber and implement business on the corner of 7th and Broadway Streets. He was also a charter member of First National Bank which now stands on the site of hardware store. He also recounts stories of Alice Kellogg LeRoy and her home on Lake Winona.
Interview with Everett Johnson. Topics discussed include: Olle Floding, maternal Grandfather from Dalarna, Sweden, 1867. Stories of School District 77 are also told. Johnson worked for Schuman & Company and built the Nelson School. He also talks about potato farming on Jundt Farm near Carlos Corners.
Interview with Ethel Cecil Lewis born in 1900 in Carlos Township. Her parents immigrated from Sweden. She recounts life on the homestead at Grygla in Marshall County until 1910, when the family returned to Douglas County. Ethel became a teacher for rural elementary schools in 1920.
Interview with Emery Ljung, born June 24, 1894. He was the son of John and Mary Ljung. His mother was born in Belle River Township. His father was born in Halsinglund, Sweden. He was raised by Grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Severons (who came from Denmark). He recounts daily life on various farms in Douglas County. His last farm was northeast of Lake Geneva.
Interview wtih Myrtle Blade (Mrs. Carl Blade). She came to Holmes City in 1926 and operated the Blade Store in Holmes City until 1969. The Blade Store was a hardware and grocery store. Myrtle discusses making stove pipes and putting screens in milk strainers as a large part of the hardware business. Her husband Carl was born in Sweden in 1891. They met at the Fergus Falls State Hospital where both of them were working.
Interview with Dr. Kai Hunt. Dr. Hunt was born in Shanghai, was raised in Hong Kong, and received medical education in China. Dr. Hunt immigrated to the U.S. in 1960s and then moved to Canada to join friends. He met his wife there. They moved to Alexandria, Minnesota in 1971. There were only 12 doctors in the entire community. Dr. Hunt has a family practice that also inlcudes acupuncture and psychiartry.
Interview with Al and Inga Larson. They grew up in Urness, Moe Township, Minnesota. Al became a blacksmith with a shop in Brandon, Minnesota. He learned by watching 'Old Man Schultz'. Al also did horse shoeing work for Hammergren, dray man.
Interview with Luella Fjoslien. Luella was born in 1900 in Fargo, North Dakota, and May Engen. May recounts memories of life on farm in LaGrande Township. Luella Fjoslien recounts the life of rural school teacher.
Interview with Lillie Looker. Lillie was born on July 30, 1889. Her parents came to Douglas County from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1870 and settled in Spruce Hill Township, Section 4, Prettyman Post Office. In the interview she discusses wagon trains from Philadelphia to Fort Buford, SD. Her father was born in 1848 and he worked an Indian Scout from age 16 and onward on westward migration wagon trains. She mentions Minnesota towns that no longer exist: Joy and First Center. She also discusses life on the farm and visits by Native Americans to the farm.
Interview with Ann Johnson (Mrs. Harold F Johnson). Interview part 2 of 2. Ann was born August 30,1896 in Nelson, Minnesota. She recounts life in Nelson including working on a farm without electricity or running water. Ann also worked at the Dickinson Inn. She married Harold F. Johnosn on December 5, 1920.
Interview with Charlie Johanson, Alice Lindemeyer (his sister), Irene Larson (his niece). They lived in Evansville, Minnesota. His parents emigrated from Tuddal, Norway. His father was Hans Johanson and he was an implement dealer. They also discuss the history of Evansville from 1881 and onwards, the role of the train, and the schools they attended. Charlie attended the Fergus College.
Interview with Harland Steintl. Harland was born in Osakis, Minnesota on September 10, 1903. His parents were Vincent and Augusta (Kamp) Steintl. His father came from Austria and his mother came from Malmo, Sweden. His maternal grandfather was a Guard of Honor for King Gustavus Adolphus and his grandmother was a Swedish princess. His parents settled near Scriven and Spruce Hill. He recalls the boat, ""Tunxis,"" on Lake Osakis. This boat was used to transport wood from north end of lake to the train. This boat was later used for lake excursions. Harland goes on to discuss life on Lake Osakis and businesses in Osakis.
Interview with Ann Johnson (Mrs. Harold F Johnson). Interview part 1 of 2. Ann was born August 30, 1896 in Nelson, Minnesota. Her maiden name was Annie Josephine Dorothea Olson. Her maternal Grandparents were Johanna and Johannes Anderson, who immigrated from Sweden in 1869 and settled near Nelson.
Interview with Esther Jensen. Esther was born in Geneva, Minnesota on March 8, 1894. Her father was Jens Christianson and he was from Denmark. Esther attended the Osakis school, District 111. Esther husband was John Jensen, (died February 9, 1968). John Jensen immigrated from Jutland, Viklum, to join relatives, including John Severson. Both John and Art Severson attended school in Austin. She married John on March 20, 1912. John was a surveyor. He dug drainage ditches and farmed near Osakis, Minnesota. Esterh recalls the Osakis band that played at the Douglas County Fair and local town band concerts.
Interview with Andrew A. Urness, born in 1885. He was a son of the pioneers Andrew J. and Antoinette Jacobson Urness, early settlers of Douglas County, Minnesota. Andrew J. and Ole Urness were brothers and gave their name to Urness Township in Douglas County. Urness was the place they were from in Bergen, Norway. Memories of growing up working on farm. Recounts 1937 trip to Europ. Mr. Urness took home movies of Adolf Hiltler on parade in Germany.
Interview with Art Johnson. Art was a banker in Almora at the Miltona State Bank during the Great Depression in 1932. He recalls his memories of bank activities, including a discussion of Rural Credit and 'barnyard' loans. Art bought a farm with milk cows and delivered dairy product to Tip Top Cove, Evergreen, Whitmore's along Lake Miltona. Art discusses the New Deal and the WPA. He was a member of the American Lutheran Church, which was organized in 1921. The church was built in 1923. Art's father immigrated from Sturup, Sweden in 1890. He mentions Knute Nelson of Garfield, Minnesota who made the first potato chips in his kitchen, which he then sold and delivered.
Interview with Bertha Black. She was "101 and counting" at the time of the interview. She was intervieweed for the Heritage column. She was born on June 9, 1882 in Iowa; and she settled in Hudson Township on a farm. Bertha became a teacher in Spruce Hill; and worked as cook at Shellfish restaurant.
Interview with Bertha Black. Bertha was born June 9, 1882 in Iowa. Her parents were Julia and Fredrick Hofer. They came to Minnesota in 1885 from Iowa. Her maternal Grandfather was Nicholas Michaels and he accompanied the family to Minnesota. They attended the First Methodist Church. Bertha attended school in District 16. Bertha also discusses her siblings.
Interview with Lou Hendricks. Lou recalls his memories of obtaining electricity first from the mill and batteries, then REA (Rural Electric Association). He also recalls using iceboxes and obtaining ice from Lake Osakis.
Interview with Minnie Brakken (Mrs. Anton Brakken). Minnie was born in Carlos Township in 1901. Her parents were Ira Wheeler and Lena Engkvist Wheeler. She discusses life on a farm with 11 children, gardening, canning, and playing ball with her father. She also discusses the first Carlos, Minnesota Post Office of 1928 which was also the Brakken's family home.
Interview with Mr. Covel. His parents were Sydney and Florence Steele Covel. His father worked in the Hudson Cheese Factory and his mother worked as a housekeeper for the owners of the Cheese Factory. His paternal grandparents homesteaded on Union Lake.
Interview with Minnie Osterholt. She was interviewed by Minnesota Public Radio in 1997. She discusses electricity in Douglas County, the Douglas County Light and Power and REA (Runestone Electric Association). She also provides more recollections her involvement with the Douglas County Historical Society.
Banker Art Johnson discussing Miltona area resort business. Missouri Club, Chicago Club, Ideal Beach, Tip Top Cove. Tip Top Cove was started by L.M. Picha, from Omaha, MO. Also discusses first buildings/stores in Alexandria, Minnesota.
Interview with Alpha Navratil. Alpha was the grandmother of Ola Peterson and lived on farm by East Moe Church, near Garfield, Minnesota. Her parents farmed near Red Lake, Minnesota. At the age of 16, she went to Crookston, Minnesota to work. She operated a boarding house (rooming house) at 213 Kenwood Avenue in Alexandria, Minnesota.
Interview wtih Luella Fjoslien. Luella was born on January 27, 1899 in Lund Township (northeast of Evansville, Minnesota). Her husband was Olaf Fjoslien. Her parents were John C. and Anna Johnson. Anna was a midwife. Her father John C. Johnson served on the Township and School Boards and was the key instigator of getting Garfield Telephone Company organized, and was a charter member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. She recalls the Normal School at Moorhead, her teaching career, and her travel to Europe. She also discusses the World's Fair in both Seattle and Toronto.
Interview with Minnie Osterholt. Minnie was born in 1912. She discusses her jobs during the Great Depression. Minnie worked as a nanny in California. She also worked at Old Denmark, a delicatessen in New York where she met her husband, Frank, who was a chef from Denmark. She returned to Minnesota and became a cook at Nelson School. Minnie is a charter member of the Douglas County Historical Society (DCHS). She recounts her memories and the early years of the DCHS, including the acquisition of the Knute Nelson home as the new site for DCHS.
Interview with John Klukken. John was born in 1887 in Norway. His family immigrated in 1900 to Osakis, Minnesota. His wife was Helga Vangsted, Klukken. John served as pastor in Enderlin, North Dakota in 1916-1918. He discusses his reasons for leaving Norway, how he become a citizen, his church activities, politics, and Norwegian customs.
"Reminiscing in West Central Minnesota" a Saturday KRMS News Feature. Harold Brundin, started running concessions at Lakeside Pavlion, Glenwood, MN, in 1933. Partnered with Tuddy Kaldahl in 1939. Had live radio broadcasts on WCCO. Nationally known bands who played at Lakeside Pavlion include: Louis Armstrong, Lawrence Welk, Sammy Kaye, Stan Kenton, Guy Lombardo, and Wayne King.
Interview with Teddy Kaldahl and Harold Brundin. Tuddy Kaldahl, went to Banff and Quebec to teach skiing. He returned to rent the Ballroom (located in Glenwood, Minnesota) in 1923. The Lakeside Pavilion was built in in 1908 along withthe ski jump. Dances were hled on Wednesday and Friday (featuring modern dance). Old-Time dances were held on Fridays. Alabamians was one of the bands they discussed. The drummer was Cab Callaway. Together they also discusses bands, dances, and costs.
Interview with Charles Norman Hicks. Charles was born in 1906. His wife was Dorothy May Haines. He was the grandson of William Everett Hicks and Theresa Thomas Hicks, early founders of Alexandria, Minnesota. The Hicks family donated the land for the courthouse, as well as the land for the Methodist and Congregational Churches. He recounts his early childhood in Alexandria, Minnesota. He also discusses his later life events in California, including his education at UCLA, USC and his later teaching career.
