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.
