McLain, Alice (1913 - 2004); McCourt, Mabel (1907 - 1993)
Date Created:
1977-03-11
Description:
Oral history of Mabel McCourt and Alice McLain, interviewed by Tom Imes. Alice and Mabel, sisters who grew up in and near Williams, Minnesota in the early 20th century, homesteading with their family, diseases and medicine, and life particularly in the 1920s and 1930s.
Oral history of Elnora "Nora" McGuire, interviewed by Tom Imes. Nora's interview focuses on growing up and living at Long Point and Zippel Bay and commercial fishing.
Lawrence Arnesen interviews Henry Asmus on commercial fishing in the first half of the 20th century on Lake of the Woods with a focus on Long Point and Rocky Point. Later they discuss steamboats which traveled on Lake of the Woods and Rainy River.
Henry Grettum, a farmer near Detroit Lakes, recalls his early years of coming to Ulen, MN from Goodhue County in Minnesota. Mr. Grettum tells of his farm life at Ulen and Detroit Lakes and as farm manager north of Moorhead. He tells of his community activities. Mr. Grettum was 93 years old at the time of the interview. His ancestors are Norwegian.
Mary Malloy Wilder interviews John Gillie about his life in Williams, Minnesota during the 20th century, his career as a mechanic, his business with his brother, businesses in Williams, and recreation.
Oral history of John O'Neil interviewed by Tom Imes. John talks about living in Spooner and Baudette, Minnesota in the first half of the 20th century. His interview focuses on the 1910 and 1931 fires and various jobs John held.
Margaret Brasgalla is interviewed by Florence Ferrier about her life in Wabanica, Minnesota. She discusses her experience of the 1910 Fire as a child, her family life, and various jobs she held throughout her life.
There are two interviews on this tape. The first is of Ingvald Jensen and his wife and the second is of Percy Williams, both interviewed by Tom Imes. The Jensen's interview focuses on their lives in Wabanica, Minnesota and across the river in Rainy River, Canada. Percy's interview focuses on his life in the early years of Baudette, Minnesota.
Oral history of Ole Olson interviewed by Florence Ferrier. Ole's wife Alice is also part of the interview but the majority of the interview focuses on Ole's life. Ole talks about his life being born in Sweden and moving to Lake of the Woods County with a focus on the areas of Peppermint Creek and Carp. Ole discusses farming, various jobs he held around the county, and his family.
Reynold "Ray" Steffenhagen (1920-2008) of Lake City, Minnesota discusses working in the family business of Sugar Loaf Dairy, Guernsey cows, pasteurizing and bottling milk, working for the Lake City Post Office, and being drafted into the army during World War II.
Roy Axtell is interviewed by Tom Imes and Alice McLain about his life in the forest area of Lake of the Woods, specifically Bankton. He describes when his father homesteaded, the Resettlement Administration, and logging.