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.
