Alice Polikawsky was born in 1904 in Moland township. In 1951, she joined the Moorhead Daily News Staff as their first full-time alumni director. From 1957-58, she was instructor of Home Economics at Concordia and became chairman of that department until her retirement in Nov. 1974. Mrs. Polikowsky discusses her education and teaching experiences in home economics.
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 an oral history, Arvid Anderson describes his family settling near Garrison, Minnesota, his work as a heavy equipment operator for the Minnesota Highway Department, and his experiences as one of the first pilots in Crow Wing County.
Beulah Olson was born August 12, 1912 in Ortley, South Dakota. Her family came to Hoffman, MN in 1921. Mrs. Olson relates her childhood, early education, and life as a homemaker. She discusses the changing roles of women as student, teacher, housewife, mother, and finally as grandmother.
Dr. Clarence Glasrud discusses his involvement with the Moorhead Rotary Club over the past several decaded. He provides background into the history and functions of the Moorhead Rotary Club. He taught at MSU from 1952 to 1977 when he retired and was considered an excellent teacher. This is interview 1 of 2.
Daniel Preston was born in Bangor, Wisconsin and spent his childhood there. Preston gives some brief information on the early activities of the American Legion in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Donna Mathisen Dosland was raised in northeastern Minnesota. She moved to Moorhead when she married Mr. Dosland. She has been associated with the Clay County Public Health Nursing Service since its formation in March 1969 and tells of the purposes and functions of the Foundation. Donna Dosland describes the history, organization, and the obstacles that needed to be overcome.
Elsie Lee was born on a farm near Big Lake, MN on September 2, 1916. Mrs. Lee tells of her many years of experience as a homemaker and describes her life and activities in Moorhead. Elsie tells of her experience as one of the first homemakers to work fulltime while raising a family of 3 children.
Florence Jenkins (Mrs. John) was born in Juanita, ND in 1914. Mrs. Jenkins began volunteer work and fund raising for the Red Cross during World War II. After the war she became an office secretary of Clay County Red Cross. She describes her work as a Red Cross volunteer and how it has affected her life. She discusses the goals and work of the Clay County Red Cross Chapter.
Gladys Westrum was born March 27, 1907 in Moorhead. Mrs. Westrum describes a typical homemaker' day in the age before modern conveniences and how the homemaker's tasks have changed as a result of technology. She discusses the Depression and WWII rationing. She also describes the changes in the attitudes of people toward women working outside of the home.
In this oral history interview, Gus Frey discusses his childhood and the businesses he remembers from his childhood. Note: parts of this interview are not clearly audible.
Hanny Wright was born on the island Tjoeme on the west side of the Oslo Fjord on October 27, 1899. She came to the United States as an infant. Mrs. Wright describes her association with St. Ansgar Hospital Auxilliary, of which she was a president for many years. She has also helped organize the Moorhead Camp Fire Girls.
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 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.
Jacob "Jake" Kiefer is a native of Moorhead and returned to the community after military service in World War I. He managed Kiefer Chevrolet. His oral history concentrates on his memories of Moorhead at the turn of the twentieth century. He discusses his involvement in community's service organizations such as the Legion club, the Rotary, and the Moorhead Chamber of Commerce.
Laura Scherfenberg discusses her many years of activities with the Moorhead branch of Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). She describes the organization's goals, finances, projects, and its role in the community.
Leveta Bryson was born in Illinois about 1913. In 1920 her parents lived on farm near Sabin, MN. Leveta graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College and began her teaching career. In 1938, she had to quit teaching because she married. Mrs. Scott describes her life as a homemaker on a farm in Borup, Minnesota from 1938 to the 1960s.
Margaret (Fobes) Tabbut was born in Glyndon, Minnesota in 1918. She describes her early life on a farm. She taught in the Fargo Adult Education Program and did a television program on WDAY until 1958 at which time she joined the faculty at Concordia College. She retired in 1983. She discusses the changes in homemaking that are the result of technological development, working outside the home, and social and economic changes.
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.
Margaret Reed was born in Chicago in March 1916. Mrs. Reed speaks of her education and experience in social service administration. She also discusses her work for the establishment of a grant for a volunteer community service in Moorhead.
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.
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.
Millie MacLeod grew up near Larimore, ND. Mrs. MacLeod has been Vice-President and President of the National Board of Directors within the Camp Fire Girls organization. She discusses its history, goals, and activities.
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.
Mrs. Ruth Munn describes nursing in the 1920s and early 1930s. Her discussion covers training at St. John's Hospital in Fargo, costs, living and working conditions, and early salaries.
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'.
Sara Nordlie McCormick was born in Minneapolis, MN on November 2, 1918. A member of the Moorhead Altrusa organization since 1962, McCormick describes the activities of Altrusa, including social service, fund raising and special projects. She was employed as a social worker by Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, Cass County Children�s Center of Fargo, Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota and Independent School District #152 of Moorhead. She retired in 1981.
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 an oral history, Wayne Curtis tells about the livlihoods of his family and himself, and a story about the peculiar owner of a hotel where his family was forced to live for a period of time.
Dr. Werner Brand, a long time professor and administrator at Moorhead State University, discusses the Kiwanis service organization, and the history, development and leadership of the original Moorhead Kiwanis Club. He describes some of the purposes and projects of the club, its role in forming Golden Key and Circle K clubs at Moorhead High School and MSU.
Wilbur Mortenson is a Moorhead native and a veteran of WW II. He has worked in the Moorhead Post Office and has been a member of the American Legion since 1946 and served in a variety of offices including Commander and Adjutant. Mr. Mortenson tells of the very beginnings of the Legion formed in 1919. He describes how the Legion clubs are organized into local posts, state departments, and on a national level. The goals and purposes of the Legion are also discussed.
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.
John "Cap" Molter, Myrtle Molter, Dorothy Molter, William "Uncle Bill" Molter, and R.E. "Bob' Pyle waiting at Moose Lake for a tow up to the Isle of Pines Resort on Knife Lake.
John "Cap" Molter with his hat on and smoking a pipe outside the Summer Tent. Written on the reverse of the image: "With the compliments of "Cap" to Al Hendrickson." Stamped Feb. 12, 1955
Johnny Johnson, Petra (Halvorsdatter) Johnson, and family members at their home near Plum Creek. Johnny Johnson was mentioned in Laura Ingalls Wilder's novel about her time near Walnut Grove, "On the Banks of Plum Creek."
Reference Librarians, Kathy Enger and Pauline Helgeland. The East Central Regional Library Reference Department handles requests from all the libraries for materials on a wide variety of subjects. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Logan Post Office located in Johnsonville Township, Redwood Count. Fred Radtke, Senior family home, store, and Post Office. This building was in section 7 of Johnsonville Township. The building was still standing in 1985. Shown are Louise, Little Elsie, Augusta, Emma, Grandma Minnie Burmiester, Emil, Henry, Mrs Fred (Minnie) Radtke Sr., and William, Fred Ratdke Sr., Herman, and Fred Jr. William is in the doorway, Fred Ratdke Sr., Herman and Fred Jr. are in the horse drawn buggy.
