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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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 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 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 Gordon Hobart and Walter Leuthner. They discuss the various businesses in town at the turn of the 20th century. They also discuss how people paid store bills. Businesses mentioned include Carlson Grocery, N.P. Ward, Gregerson, Culbertson. Walter Leuthner's father came up from St. Paul to buy a bakery. His children delivered bake goods to homes, restaurants, and hotels on their bicycles. They also discuss when the National Guard was called in to apprehend a murder suspect who was holed up in a local house. One of the National Guard soldiers was killed in the exchange of bullets. Walter Leuthner tells the story of gunshot wound to his arm when a firearm accidentally went off. They also discuss the loss of the bird population with the advent of DDT. Also discussed are the local Armistice Day celebrations.
Interview with Guy and Carrie Preston, the former owners of Camp Preston on Lake Darling. Camp Preston was started by Samuel and Susie A Preston sometime after 1911. Customers came on the train to Alexandria, Minnesota. Many early customers came from Kansas City, Missouri Discusses life running a fishing resort, including fishing, bookkeeping, and cleaning cabins
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.
"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 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 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 Lee H. Johnson. Lee was born January 23, 1894 in a sod house in Windom, Minnesota. He describes his life in the Army during World War I in 1918. He went to work for Coca-Cola in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1924. His first car had the Coca-Cola trademark painted on it. He later opened a Coca-Cola bottling operation in 1936 in Alexandria, Minnesota. In 1952, he opened Sun-Rise Corporation bottling company. He discusses the funding of the Runestone Museum in 1958. He was also involved in the establishment of the television station in 1958. Lee also served as the president of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce in 1955.
