Chippewa Region Historical Society; Beltrami County Historical Society
Date Created:
1952-11-11
Description:
The recording is a joint meeting of the Chippewa Region Historical Society and BCHS on Oct 11, 1952, at the Catholic High School; Dr. Charles Vandersluis provides the initial voiceover; a woman talks about two Ojibwe women she knew who were students at a boarding school; a man speaks about the Ojibwe men who studied under Bishop Whipple; another man speaks about Joseph Renville; John G. Morrison, Jr., speaks about the Battle at Sugar Point. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
The recording is a 90th birthday celebration for John G. Morrison, Jr., probably featuring members of the Beltrami County Historical Society. Morrison's birthday was October 30, 1963; he died less than three months later. The recording may have been made by Dr. Charles Vandersluis. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
The recording is presentation before the BCHS about the history of the Red Lake fisheries with John G. Morrison, Jr., and an unnamed fishery employee. Morrison explains how the Ojibwe kept fish for winter use; and how he helped write a bill regulating the fishing industry on Red Lake. Morrison discusses consulting with state officials to get the fisheries set up. The unnamed fishery employee discusses a lawsuit in 1927 accusing the state of participating in a competitive enterprise; the first board of directors; total fish produced; condition of fish; fishing nets; types of fish in the lake; the current number of participating fishermen and employees; how Native Americans get paid; decreasing demand for whole fish; how fish are shipped; how much ice they harvest; the threat of the lamprey eel; and a cash journal in his possession from the fisheries in 1919. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
This is the recording of a presentation on the history of music in Minnesota presented by an anonymous person. The presenter speaks about music history, sings a song arranged by Frances Densmore in some way representing Ojibwe music, sings a French Canadian voyageur song, and sings a song dating to territorial Minnesota arranged by Bessie Stanchfield called "The Beauty of the West" with the audience joining in. The final part of the recording seems to be Dr. Charles Vandersluis showing the recording device to his family or a private group. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Pat Gallagher and Bob Meyer describe early Melrose and "Gallagher Days", honoring James Gallagher who led the first non-stop flight in circum-navigating the earth.
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.
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.
The multi-part recording is John G. Morrison, Jr., showing a small group his collections, which were the basis for the original BCHS collections. On the tour, he describes a violin that belonged to his father; his collection of pipes; Navajo rugs; his grandfather's snuffbox and wallet; an assortment of drums and their purposes; bowls; a shopping bag; a battle flag; baby boards; snowshoes; a model tipi; a gambling game; tools and utensils; buckskin bags to carry food; a flint-lock musket; lacrosse sticks; war clubs; powder horns; a quiver; the knuckle game; sashes; headdresses; a stick detailing the training of a warrior; necklaces; and tobacco pouches.He discusses headdresses; water drums; grand medicine; beading; what the Ojibwe used before beads; a doll; dancing regalia; a bead sack; the differences between Sioux and Ojibwe beading designs; how different tribes recognized one another; a battle between the Sioux and Ojibwe; how Red Lake got its name; how the Ojibwe tanned leather; a tobacco sack; a shopping bag; a medicine rattle; a deer tail headdress; and the knuckle game. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
A talk given by Lyle Klein, music instructor. He spoke on the origins of bands in Ely beginning with the first band of about 12 people known as the "Ely Cornet Band," or the Brass Band or the City Band, and sometimes all three names were used in the same newspaper article. Bands began in 1888-1889. Klein lists the various band directors through to 1967. Most school students were members of bands and Ely had an excellent instrumental music program. The school music directors followed closely the list of city band directors. Klein speaks of the Sampo Band under the direction of Charles Klemola a trumpet player and composer.The talk touches on the various ethnic bands as well.
Lee Gresser was the first director and employee of Hennepin Technical College. He, the District 287 Board (made up of 15 individual suburban school districts), and Richard Emery were instrumental in lobbying for a suburban vocational-technical school, buying land, deciding which programs to offer, and who to hire to teach the programs. Lee was interviewed by Joyce Randall Senechal. Also present in the room were Carole Carlson and Marty Patterson.
Yung Lyun Ko arrived in the United States from Korea in 1972. As a young assistant professor at Kun Kook University in Seoul, he had decided to further his career through graduate study in educational statistics at Illinois State University in Bloomington, Illinois. After his family arrived in 1973, however, he could no longer afford to continue his study, and he went to work as an aspiration therapist in a hospital in Chicago. In 1974 Ko and his family moved to Minneapolis after Korean friends persuaded him to do so by saying that the Twin Cities provided a better environment to work and raise a family. Although Ko was a professional in Korea, his training was not transferable to American society, and he had to take a blue-collar job working at Crown Meat Company in Minneapolis. Frustrated by this situation, Ko threw himself into working for the Korean community through the Korean Association of Minnesota. In 1974 he was instrumental in establishing the Korean Institute, a Saturday school for Korean children of immigrants and adoptive parents, where classes in Korean language and culture, as well as social activities, were provided on a weekly basis. In 1979 Ko began a two-year term as president of the Korean Association. He and his family are also active in the Korean United Methodist Church in Oakdale. Shuk Ko arrived with the children in Bloomington, Illinois, in 1973 to join her husband. After they moved to Minnesota she also became active in Korean community organizations in addition to full-time work outside their home. As the wife of the president of the Korean Association she was expected to organize and persuade the women to do much of the work for special events in the Korean community, such as cooking meals for large numbers of people, and arranging children's activities. Shuk and the children are also active in the Korean United Methodist Church. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The Kos discuss the dynamics of the Korean community in the Twin Cities, and the cultural and religious organizations in the community. They also discuss the problems of childrearing in the immigrant situation and their concern that the children will develop a Korean or Korean-American identity. Yung Lyun discusses special events, such as Korean Day, that are organized annually by the Korean Association, and Shuk describes the changing family structure and extensive work of the women in community activities. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Because he is president of the Korean Association, Yung Lyun Ko is in a position to know a great deal about the Korean community and to provide information on all the community organizations. Shuk Ko is also in a position to know about the contributions of the women to community events and programs.
You Vang Yang is the mother of May Hang and is the daughter of Nhia Vang. Her maiden clan name is Vang and she married into the Yang clan. She is sixty years old and has nine children. She is widowed. She immigrated to the U.S. twenty-four years ago. She was born in Xuv Npuv, Laos. She is a White Hmong by birth, Blue Hmong by marriage. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Biographical information and religious affiliation. Childhood-school attendance, duties at home, community service, skills taught, social activities as a child, aspirations as a child. Hmong women's roles-decision making inside and outside of home and clan, women in leadership roles and how they are seen in the community, what women do to support their families, family planning, when women feel respected or disrespected. The war and living in refugee camps-memories of fleeing Laos, of refugee camps, difference in treatment of men and women in the camps. Adjustments since coming to the U.S.-skills needed to adjust, learning English, skills from Laos and Thailand that are adaptable or useable in the U.S., citizenship, leadership roles for women in the U.S. versus Laos, public contributions by Hmong women. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: All interviews were recorded in Hmong. Transcripts in both English and Hmong are available for each interview.
Yer Moua is the mother of Mai Neng Moua and is the daughter of Ong Vang. Her maiden clan name is Yer. Her clan is the Vue clan and she married into the Moua clan. She is sixty-five years old, and she has four children, all living. She attended school in the U.S. She has been widowed many years. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1981. She was born in Thab Tam, Xeev Khuam, Laos. She is a White Hmong. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Biographical information and religious affiliation. Childhood-school attendance, duties at home, community service, skills taught, social activities as a child, aspirations as a child. Hmong women's roles-decision making inside and outside of home and clan, women in leadership roles and how they are seen in the community, what women do to support their families, family planning, when women feel respected or disrespected. The war and living in refugee camps-memories of fleeing Laos, of refugee camps, difference in treatment of men and women in the camps. Adjustments since coming to the U.S.-skills needed to adjust, learning English, skills from Laos and Thailand that are adaptable or useable in the U.S., citizenship, leadership roles for women in the U.S. versus Laos, public contributions by Hmong women. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: The interview was conducted predominantly in Hmong. The Hmong transcript and an English translation are bound together for this interview.
Yang Cha Ying immigrated to the United States on October 7, 1980. Prior to his immigration he was an assistant to the mayor of Por Far, Laos. Yang Cha Ying also served as a soldier from 1950-1953. Currently, he is retired, though he acts as an advisor for the police when making domestic calls. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Yang Cha Ying describes his life in Laos, particularly the time he spent fighting in the wars, in detail. He talks about his adjustment to life in the United States and his role as an advisor for the police in domestic situations, explaining cultural differences. Yang Cha Ying hopes that the youth of his culture will learn to respect the elderly. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Interview translated by May Herr.
Tenzin Dolkar was born in Dingri, Tibet. She moved to Nepal when she was young with her family. Dolkar moved to Minnesota in 1993 as part of the United States Tibetan Resettlement Project. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Parents, family, leaving Tibet, living in a Tibetan settlement in Nepal, United States Tibetan Resettlement Project, Tibetan Green Book, deciding to come to the U.S., family separation, coming to the US, challenges, including gangs and violence, community, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, finding work in Minnesota, immigration challenges, caring for ill husband, death of son, Buddhism, opportunities in the U.S., Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), singing. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: This interview was conducted in Tibetan and transcribed in English.
Xeng Sue Yang is a Hmong man, 44 years old. He was a soldier for the CIA (1960-1975) and farmer in Laos. Since arriving in the United States in 1979, he has lived in Minneapolis. Presently he is a story teller and a musician. He is married to Khou Xiong Yang. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Xeng Sue Yang talks of his life as a CIA soldier in the Vietnam War and his feelings of patriotism. Tales of adjustment to life in the United States are related as well as observations regarding the differences in the legal systems of the two countries. Xeng Sue Yang concludes the interview with a statement of hope to keep his culture alive. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Interview translated by May Herr.
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on May 3, 1982, Winston Borden described his family background. Born in 1943, Borden grew up Center Township near Brainerd, Minnesota. Borden's grandparents migrated to Center Township, north of Brainerd, Minnesota, in the 1880s. Borden had two brothers and one sister. He discussed his reasons to attend St. Cloud State University, as well as the encouragement from his teachers and family that led him to be the first member of his family to attend college. Borden graduated from Brainerd High School in 1961, and attended St. Cloud State University on a speech scholarship that fall. While at St. Cloud State, Borden was heavily involved in the "Young Democrats" as well as student government. He chronicled in great detail about the effectiveness of some of his professors, like Dr. Jim Davis, who made subjects come alive and opened him up to new experiences. He also talked about the influence o
Wing Young Huie was born May 3, 1955, in Duluth, Minnesota. He is the youngest son of Duluth restaurateur Joe Huie, who emigrated from China to Duluth in 1909 at age 17 and operated the widely known Joe Huie Cafe from 1951 to 1973. Because of restrictive United States immigration laws, Joe Huie's family remained in China until after World War II. Wing Young Huie, born after their arrival in Duluth in the early 1950s, is the only American-born member of the family. Wing Young Huie spent his childhood in Duluth, where he attended public elementary and secondary schools. After graduation from high school he enrolled at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and received a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1978. Since then he has been engaged in freelance writing and photography. He has had articles with his own photos published in Lake Superior Port Cities and Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine. One of his photos appears in a 1981 book published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press, They Chose Minnesota: A Survey of the State's Ethnic Groups. He also contributed photographs for an exhibit on Asians in Minnesota that opened at the Minnesota Historical Society in May of 1982. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: He discusses the experience of growing up in a Chinese immigrant family, his sense of loss in knowing little about his own heritage, and his searching for roots by enrolling in Chinese history and language courses at the University of Minnesota. He also discusses the isolation of his mother, Lee Ngook Kum Huie, who does not speak English, and the cultural barrier between Chinese students and Chinese-American students at the university. He points out that although racial discrimination was relatively mild in Duluth, his father had a difficult time getting a haircut in the early years, and he himself encountered problems in interracial dating in high school. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Wing Young Huie is an articulate member of the second generation who grew up in the Chinese community in Duluth, and his interview is particularly valuable for the insights into this experience. Part of the tape is marred by poor audio quality, but most of it can be understood.
Will Swanson (1947-) grew up in Minnesota and studied ceramics, art and design at the University of Minnesota. After working at Fairview Hospital for fifteen years, Swanson married Janel Jacobson and began making pottery full-time at their home studio in Sunrise Township, Minnesota. He also helped co-found the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. Janel Jacobson (1950-) grew up in various parts of Minnesota and studied ceramics at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa before establishing her own studio in the St. Croix Valley. After graduating, she studied studio pottery techniques with renowned Bauhaus artist Marguerite Wildenhain, but soon adopted her own style of carving small sculptures in clay. In 1995, Janel stopped carving in stoneware and porcelain and began using wood. In this interview, Swanson and Jacobson discuss their respective childhoods; ceramics education; connections to the local and national pottery communities; and thoughts on the past, present and future of the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. This interview was conducted by local oral historian and PhD Candidate from the University of Minnesota Anduin Wilhide. ""A Measure of the Earth: An Oral History of the Potters of the St. Croix River Valley"" explores the anomalous community of potters in Eastern Minnesota who host an annual cooperative tour for participating ceramic artists from around the world. This annual three-day event attracts art enthusiasts from across the country. Together the project's ten oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within the local pottery community, tell the story of how, from the 1950s to today, Minnesota�s St. Croix River Valley has developed into a major center for pottery, and a destination for thousands nationally.
Willis Kingsbury, 47 years old, was born and reared in Minneapolis. He graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in architecture. Mr. Kingsbury has served as community development director of the city of Moorhead and director of the Red River Valley Interpretive Center. He describes his experiences as a city employee and outlines the changes in Moorhead resulting from urban renewal and economic development programs.
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on May 29, 1982, William Whitaker described his family history and educational background. He was born on September 26, 1910, in Rockville, Minnesota. His father worked for the granite industry in Wisconsin, St. Paul, and then Rockville. Whitaker graduated from St. Cloud Technical (Tech) High School in 1927. He knew he wanted to be a teacher, with a long-term goal of becoming a college professor, so he immediately began taking classes at St. Cloud State. Before he graduated, he took a year off to teach in Wabun, Minnesota, before returning to the university to finish his education. Whitaker talked about his time off from his undergraduate work to tour with a Chautauqua group, and later to teach in Wabun, Minnesota, near Detroit Lakes. Whitaker described his time at St. Cloud State. He claimed that the majority of students at the time he attended were from small towns and farming families. He mentioned George Selke's great oratorical ability and the success it had at bringing many young people from the Iron Range to the university. Whitaker said he had to work to put himself through school, even holding three jobs at one time. He also discussed his impression of the relationship between the city of St. Cloud and the college. Whitaker also remembers some of the professors he worked with, including St. Cloud State president George Selke and Evelyn Pribble. Whitaker talked more about his work and education experiences after graduating from St. Cloud State in 1932. He discussed that the Depression made it very difficult to find work, and was the reason why he went to Brooklyn for a few years before finding a teaching job back in Minnesota. Whitaker also discussed his time in the Navy, which led him to serve in both World War II and the Korean War. Whitaker described some of his travels, including time spent in Singapore, as well some of the duties he had as an officer in the Navy.
William A. Smaby was born at Peterson, Fillmore County, Minnesota, in 1904. He reflects on his experiences as the Concordia College business office manager since 1952. Mr. Smaby discusses the importance of rural students attending college, interest of parents and teachers, and salary negotiations. He also describes the problems and successes of the greatest �growth period� in the history of the College.
In an oral history conducted by David H. Overy on April 9, 1991, William H. "Bill" Nunn discussed his experiences as a personnel administrator in the Army stationed in India during World War II. Born and raised in Texas, Nunn enlisted in the Army Reserve Corps and was called to active duty in 1943. In this interview, Nunn described his experiences as a military administrator in India and his interactions with the Indian population during his tour. He discussed often using his free time to travel to different cities and looked to explore India's culture. Lastly, Nunn discussed segregation in the Army, and how it had begun to integrate by the end of World War II. After his service in World War II, Nunn returned to college and received his master's degree in Political Science in 1948. He taught high school in Galveston, Texas, before accepting a position at St. Cloud State College in 1954. Nunn was born on January 15, 1922 and passed away on April 17, 2016.
In an oral history conducted by Robert Nelson on May 5, 1989, William Nunn described his educational background, with some focus on his family background, too. Nunn was born in 1922 in Paris, Texas. Nunn graduated from Bonham High School in 1940, then attended Northern Texas State University in Denton, Texas. He said his father was a very successful attorney in Texas, which initially inspired him to pursue law in college. However, he chronicled how his experiences in the Army during World War II led him to change his path to instead pursue teaching. Nunn talked about how he decided to pursue his master's degree in Political Science, which led him to gain experience teaching in different lab schools around the country. Nunn started at St. Cloud State in 1954. His job was to supervise student teachers. He described the state that the program was in when he arrived and how several other professors who were involved with it, including Bill Cotton and John Talbot. Nunn claimed he had success in opening districts in Milaca, Paynesville, and other areas to student teachers from St. Cloud. Nunn described his experience in the History department, as well as his time as head of the legislative committee and as Faculty Association president from 1965 to 1967. Nunn believed that the increased departmentalization at the college, which accompanied its rapid growth, has hurt the institution in many ways. Nunn expressed his view of how St. Cloud State changed since 1954 when Nunn arrived. He discussed some major events that impacted the school, such as the unrest that occurred during the Vietnam War. He claimed that St. Cloud State always had an image problem that it was not a good school and its label as a party school was misleading. Nunn claimed that St. Cloud State never really been able to get a good feel of the community, that the two never really got to know each other. Finally, Nunn described his efforts at establishing the tri-college East Asian Studies Program and his several trips to Japan.
William Jones' career was as an educator. He first taught in Thief River Falls. He conducted the band there. He had various jobs in other towns until they came to Moorhead in 1972. He is presently the Academic Vice-President of Moorhead State University and his wife is director of External Studies also at MSU. They both are planning to retire at the end of the 1984-1985 school year.
William Mayberg was born in Russia in 1887. He married in 1911, came to the United States in 1913, and had two sons. He was self-educated but was a teacher most of his life. He also operated small grocery stores in Minneapolis and St. Paul. He died in 1978. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Jewish children's education in Russia and the United States - poverty of immigrant life - history of the Zionist movement - a Zionist farm and school in Champlin, Minnesota - and religion.
William Kenney was born in Park River, North Dakota in 1911. He went into business in Moorhead in 1938. He went into the Navy in 1942 until 1945. Mr. Kenney tells of his experience in business and of his ownership of a cage and hotel in Moorhead from 1945 to 1974.
Interview with William H. Lieske, Concordia College class of 1937, from Matairie, Louisiana, in 1981. Pastor Lieske talks about, among other things, his classmates and what they did upon graduation, Concordia's first two presidents ' Theodore Buenger and Martin Graebner ' as teachers, pranks played on professors, the gradual diminishment of hazing and the gradual rise of coeducation, free time activities, the geography of the campus and its old tunnel system, the deaths of three students during his time there, and participation in musical groups and athletic teams. This interview was conducted by librarian Margaret Horn (at Concordia from 1956-1987) during a summer sabbatical, and was made possible in part by a grant from Aid Association for Lutherans (now 'Thrivent').
In this oral history inerview, William Hansen discusses his childhood, church attendance, confirmation, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and an incident in which he pours a plate of lutefisk down a woman's back. He also recounts houses he lived in and singing in the choir. Note: parts of this interview are not clearly audible.
In an oral interview conducted by David Overy on October 1990, William "Bill" Faber discussed his twenty years of military service in the National Guard, Navy, Air Force, and Army from 1937 to 1962. Faber was born on January 15, 1921, in Anoka, Minnesota, where he was raised. Faber enlisted in the National Guard in January 1937 as a member of the 125th Field Artillery, then joined the Navy in 1940, and later the Air Force as a sergeant first class. He would then transfer to the Army as second lieutenant. Faber"s military career spans multiple wars, he describes his role in the Battle of Midway in June 1942 during World War II and later his time as a member of the Korean Military Advisory Group after the Korean War. Throughout his various military roles Faber detailed daily life, food, foreign civilian interactions, and fond memories of his time in the service. In 1962, Faber retired from the Army as a major. He returned to Anoka and worked from the Telect Company as a quality control director. On January 18, 2008, Faber died in Little Falls, Minnesota.
William Dosland discusses his years as a lawyer, including his involvement with the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association and his work for them during the acquisition of the American Crystal Sugar Company. His involvement as a Minnesota state senator, with the city of Moorhead and on the Board of Regents for the University of Moorhead. Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1927, William Dosland moved to Moorhead after World War II.
In an oral history conducted by David Overy on December 17, 1990, William "Bill" Chirhart discussed his experiences as an infantryman in Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II. In 1939, Chirhart joined the Minnesota National Guard and called into active duty by the United States Army in 1941. In this interview, Chirhart discussed his training in anti-aircraft defense, searchlight, and automatic tracking. Once deployed to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, he spent time on and near the islands of the Philippines, New Guinea, Bougainville, and Cebu. Chirhart's division often spent time on ships, doing patrols while on sea duty. He detailed difficulties of living in a tropical climate, the water restrictions, food shortages, body rashes, and interactions with scorpions and beetles. In 1949, he married his wife, Alice Pierkskalla, the couple had four children. Shortly after returning from World War II, Chirhart was deployed as a reconnaissance platoon sergeant during the Korean Conflict. Chirhart concluded that his military experience as a positive one, it gave him discipline that made him the man he needed to be, and allowed him an easy transition into police work in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Chirhart died on September 11, 2008 at the age of 85.
William Cheeseman was born in Little Falls, Minnesota, on April 22, 1918. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in 1938 and was called to active duty in 1941. Mr. Cheeseman was part of a transportation company that was attached to the 34th Infantry Division when it was deployed to Ireland for training. Sent to North Africa in 1943, he participated in the North African campaign including the retreat at Kasserine Pass. Cheeseman was given a field promotion and was the supply officer with the headquarters battalion when it moved to Italy in mid-1943. There he experienced frequent artillery bombardments and served on the court martial board. Cheeseman made several comments about the various nationalities he came into contact with including international allies, German and Italian opposition, and civilian population in Ireland, Italy, and Africa. He also made observations about the quality and efforts of the Nisei Regiment and the African American 92nd division. As a junior member of the court martial board, Mr. Cheeseman speculated about the motivations of the many offenders that were tried, the severity and effectiveness of their punishment, and shared some notable cases. He observed the action at Monte Cassino before being shipped home in 1944. He remained with the National Guard and eventually rose to the rank of general. Mr. Cheeseman married and raised a family in St. Paul before retiring to Little Falls. He died in Little Falls, Minnesota, on February 4, 2014.
Bill Weaver discusses his career as a local radio and television personality with WDAY in Fargo from 1953 to 1964. He describes the early days of television, and his activities as a sportscaster and talk show host. Mr. Weaver also discusses his political and business careers and his military service in the US Air Force during World War II.
William (Bill) DeJohn received his Masters in Library Science in 1967 from the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences. He was the Director of Minitex, which serves academic, public, state agency, and other special libraries in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, from 1984-2012. DeJohn was actively involved in efforts to further library resource sharing throughout the Minitex region and beyond. In the interview he answers questions submitted to him by library staff in the Minitex region. Bill discusses: his first library job at Daniel Boone Regional Library, Columbia, Missouri; early interlibrary loan work at the Missouri State Library; former University of Minnesota Librarian Edward Stanford and the beginning of Minitex; additional funding for technological developments in the 1990's that led to ELM, MLAC, and the MnLINK Gateway; influential people for library services during Bill's tenure; the future of Minitex; his secret reading addiction; and words of wisdom for library staff today.This interview also includes the following: An audio recording, recording table of contents, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
Biographical Information: Anderson was manager for Agralite Cooperative in Benson, Swift County. Subjects discussed: Role as manager for Agralite Cooperative; function and structure of Agralite as a cooperative; how cooperatives have planned for future power needs. Cooperative Power Association, United Power Association and the Cooperative-United project-involvement with Mid-Continent Area Power Pool; planning of plant; determining need for plant; communication problems between planners and farmers; controversy over Cooperative-United transmission line. CPA-board vs. representatives of cooperatives; public relations. Feasibility of building underground plant. Health and safety issues. Obtaining easements. Future impact of the powerline controversy.
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.
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.
Interview with Wesley Kuhn, Concordia College class of 1940, from Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1981. Pastor Kuhn talks about, among other things, the prevalence of and secrecy surrounding hazing ('shagging'), what outstanding professors did, working as student body president with the school president Martin Graebner, working to earn extra money, what the students had to pay for (not tuition), the effect of the depression on the school and students, physical education requirements and intramural sports, and attitudes towards Germans, Germany and Hitler. This interview was conducted by librarian Margaret Horn (at Concordia from 1956-1987) during a summer sabbatical, and was made possible in part by a grant from Aid Association for Lutherans (now 'Thrivent').
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.
Wendy Pradt Lougee was the University Librarian and Dean of Libraries at the University of Minnesota from 2002-2020. Prior to that role, over a period of 20 years, she held several positions at the University of Michigan, including Director of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library and Associate Director of the University Library for Digital Library Services. In this interview, Lougee traces her career path in Academic Libraries up to her latest role as University Librarian at the University of Minnesota. While at the University of Michigan Lougee put together the team that birthed JSTOR in the mid-1990s, a digital platform for accessing academic journals, which led to launching several other new digital projects and publishing projects. Lougee discusses the national organizations and boards she served on over the course of her career such as the Research Libraries Group, the Council on Library and Information Resources, the Digital Library Federation, Council on Library and Information Resources, the Association of Research Libraries, HathiTrust, and the Big Ten Academic Alliance. Other topics discussed include: working with Minitex; colleagues that made an impact on Lougee's work such as Dick Dougherty, Dan Atkins, Paul Courant, and Governor Elmer Andersen; the awarding of the National Medal for Libraries and Museums to the University of Minnesota Libraries; and a few future library environment forecasts. This interview also includes an audio recording, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
Biographical Information: Bradley was a professor of physics at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. He was involved in Coalition of Rural Environmental Groups. Subjects discussed: Background; involvement with Coalition of Rural Environmental Groups; 400+ line controversy; state agency involvement; need hearing; utilities and energy needs; Bradley's energy needs predictions; governor and state agency response to needs predictions report; health and safety factors; effect of controversy on people opposing the line; the role of the media.
Wellington G. Schroeder discusses his building on Third Street; other buildings that were standing when he built it; his recollection of Guy Remore; the area called Moose; selling out to his brother and starting his own store; early livery barns; some immoral business going on in town, possibly prostitution; how strong he was; a dispute with a man over a bridge; his homestead on Lake Hattie; when he began farming; making a profit in the corn market and flour; building the Winter Block; his idea to introduce hydroelectric power; buying up land along the river; the first electric light plant; going into business with the Warfields; constructing the dam; local brick-making; and being injured in a train wreck.
Biographical Information: Schumacher was a farmer in Glenwood, Minnesota. He served as State Representative from District 15a during the 1975-1976 session and served on the Health and Welfare, Higher Education, and Transportation committees. Subjects discussed: Situation upon entering office as state representative in 1974. Handling of hearings. Need for increase in energy. Role as representative. Lack of response to concerns of farmers by utilities and the legislature. Health and safety factors. Impact of issues on area. Reasons for confrontation by opposition. Solution to the powerline issue via court decision. Possible changes in powerline future. Uniqueness of controversy.
Biographical Information: Olhoft was a state Senator from Herman, Minnesota. Subjects discussed: Background. The Power Plant Siting Act-reason for creating; problems with act; amendments. Environmental Quality Board-effectiveness of; role of; responsiveness to public; hearings. Effectiveness of citizen's committees. Eminent domain and land use. Energy situation and alternatives to deal with future. Legislative role in supporting energy alternatives. Effect of controversy on job as Senator. Role of Governors Anderson and Perpich.
Wayne Ingersoll was born in 1945 in Texas. Mr. Ingersoll was elected mayor of Moorhead in 1978. He discusses his political background, duties as mayor, and issues with which he was confronted. Mr. Ingersoll has taught 7th, 8th, and 9th grade levels for eighteen years.
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.
Husband and wife for 50 years the year of this interview, Wayne and Kathy Nordsted tell the story together of the past and present that will cause you to nod along, thinking it is your own aunt and uncle telling you the story.
Warren R. Peterson [1909-1991] discusses his family's businesses in Lake City, Minnesota including Peterson Grocery, Peterson-Sheehan Funeral Home, and the Lake City Opera House. He also discusses entertainment in Lake City, Prohibition, Zero King Coat Factory, B. W. Harris, and Munsingwear.
In this interview, Warren MacKenzie (1924-) discusses his childhood and early experience with art; being drafted in 1943; his early ceramic education and studies at the Chicago Art Institute; his first wife, the late Alix MacKenzie, who was also a ceramist; studying in England under renowned potter Bernard Leach; Korean and Japanese influences; setting up his studio near Stillwater, Minnesota; teaching at the University of Minnesota; meeting his second wife, the late fiber artist Nancy MacKenzie; and his involvement with the Minnesota Craft Council and the St. Croix Pottery Tour. This interview was conducted by local oral historian and PhD Candidate from the University of Minnesota Anduin Wilhide. ""A Measure of the Earth: An Oral History of the Potters of the St. Croix River Valley"" explores the anomalous community of potters in Eastern Minnesota who host an annual cooperative tour for participating ceramic artists from around the world. This annual three-day event attracts art enthusiasts from across the country. Together the project's ten oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within the local pottery community, tell the story of how, from the 1950s to today, Minnesota�s St. Croix River Valley has developed into a major center for pottery, and a destination for thousands nationally.
Wangyal T. Ritzekura was born in Dzonga, Tibet. At a young age he moved with his parents to India. Ritzekura was teacher in India from 1976 until leaving for Minnesota in 1992 as part of the United States Tibetan Resettlement Project. Since arriving in Minnesota, Ritzekura has been a teacher, translator, and education liaison for the Tibetan community. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Parents, family, traveling from Tibet, attending school in India, being a teacher in India, deciding to come to the United States, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Tibetan Government in Exile, Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), activism, serving the Tibetan community in India and Minnesota, U.S. Tibetan Resettlement Project, Tibetan Green Book, coming to Minnesota, expectations of the US, first jobs in Minnesota, family separation, differences and similarities in teaching in India and the U.S., Tibetan Homeschool Liaison, community, challenges, Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM), education, Tibetan Cultural Center, Tibetan Culture School, preserving culture, preserving language, differences and similarities between Tibetan and American culture, youth, adjusting to Minnesota education system, parenting, future of community, Buddhism, stereotypes, Tibetan responsibilities, Tibetan Association of Minnesota (TAM), citizenship, educating Westerners about Tibet, U.S. politics, China, Tibetan holidays.
Interview with Walter Volz, Concordia College class of 1956, from Plantation, Florida, in 1981. Pastor Volz talks about, among other things, how he and his brothers would ride their bicycles to Concordia even in winter - after doing their paper routes, the young professors who came on at this time, their excellent forensics/debate team led by professor E.J. Otto, the literary societies on campus and their role in the all-male dramas (Shakespeare and such) performed on campus, participation in the campus printing and yearbook activities, interesting memories of professors, the respect students had for professors who disciplined them (like Professor Edgar Streufert), President William A. Poehler waking up the younger students in the morning, sneaking out to study while being a chapel acolyte, exploring the tunnel system of the old Reformatory school (seeing ball and chains, solitary confinement cells), giving President Poehler's daughters a hard time, his happy recollections of Concordia, and his very busy ministry in south Florida. This interview was conducted by librarian Margaret Horn (at Concordia from 1956-1987) during a summer sabbatical, and was made possible in part by a grant from Aid Association for Lutherans (now Thrivent).
In this interview, Walter Schwarz gives an account of his life as a Jewish World War II veteran. He was born in Romania, 1921. Schwarz gives family background in Europe, explaining that his father had ties to Czechoslovakia in the textile industry. He describes his childhood in Europe and teenage years at high school in Czechoslovakia, where Nazi violence and intimidation found him after Germany invaded the country. Schwarz and his family ultimately leave to the United States through Italy destined for New York. Wishing to fight Germany, he attempts to enlist and is later drafted. Schwarz discusses his training in the United States, which involved learning how to interrogate prisoners. He discusses his activity overseas was mainly in France and Germany at the end of the War. Schwarz was able to visit relatives who survived Auschwitz, and concludes with explaining his post war life and connection to Minnesota. This interview was conducted by Linda Schloff as a part of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest World War II Veterans Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Interview with Walter Leuthner. Walter was born on November 30l, 1894. His parents were Joseph and Versa Leuthner. His father had a bakery business. Walter started working as a fishing guide and began a fishing guide business in 1927, working out of Maryland Hotel. He discusses guiding on Douglas County Lakes and the tourists he guided.
Conversation between Gordon Hobart and Walter Leuthner. Gordon Hobart raised turkeys. He also started and ran Interlachen. His father owned a meat market. Reminder that no frozen meat was available at that time; but every resort and farm had an icehouse. The iceman delivered to residential iceboxes. Refrigerators were not locally available until the end of the 1920s. Meat was only available from local farmers; but vegetables would come in on refrigerated railroad cars and were dropped off in each town. They discuss business local practices. The grocery store would pay they bakery at end of season since most local people bartered products at grocery store. They provide reminiscences about: Terry Weatherman, England Grocery, cigar factory, sawmills, ice cream man, fishing and "fish" stories, Minnissouri Club, fishing guides, school boy capers, duck hunting, and how the annual wheat crop determined Alexandria's prosperity.
Interview with Walter Haag, Concordia College class of 1934, from Marianna, Florida, in 1981. Pastor Haag talks about, among other things, why he went to Concordia, homesickness and some details of hazing ('shagging') incidents, memorable school work, various professors and pranks played on them, the close bond the students shared, the untimely death of a roommate, the effects of the depression and working at school for extra money, transportation, nicknames of students and profs, and the school's expectations about dating. This interview was conducted by librarian Margaret Horn (at Concordia from 1956-1987) during a summer sabbatical, and was made possible in part by a grant from Aid Association for Lutherans (now 'Thrivent').
In an oral history conducted by David Overy on July 1, 1991, Walter J. Gerzin discussed his experiences as a bomber pilot and flight instructor during World War II. Gerzin was born on September 4, 1916, and raised Chisholm, Minnesota. In 1939, he graduated from St. Cloud State Teacher's College and enlisted into the flying cadet program of the United States Air Force. After his training, Gerzin flew anti-submarine patrols off the East Coast, until he was assigned to Project X. He described the bombing missions in North Africa, the Middle East, and India. Gerzin was a member of the 513th Bomb Squadron, which was detailed by Captain Rowan T. Thomas in "Born in Battle: Round the World Adventures of the 513th Bombardment Squadron." In 1943, Gerzin became a squadron commander and trained squadrons in Walla Walla, Washington and Avon Park, Florida. Gerzin flew twenty-five bombing missions, earning himself an Air Medal and a Silver Star along the way. Lastly, he discussed the positive outcomes of his military service. It allowed him to travel and live all around the world and gain self-discipline and respect for others. He served in the United States Air Force for twenty-one years before leaving to become a teacher. On September 30, 2013, Gerzin died at the age of 97.
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on November 14, 1978, Walter MacGregor discussed how his family came to Minnesota from Scotland and Ireland. He was born on October 8, 1890, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He described his elementary and high school education, both of which took place in St. Cloud. MacGregor stated his decision to attend St. Cloud Normal School was easy, since it was very close and allowed him to live at home while pursuing his studies. Arriving in 1911, MacGregor chronicled his time at the St. Cloud State, mentioning his practice teaching in Sauk Rapids, where he taught manual training. He discussed how he obtained a job in Spokane, Washington, and the health problems that forced him to leave that job behind. MacGregor also explained how he was drawn to architecture, and why he decided to pursue that as a career. MacGregor recalled some of the teachers he remembers from St. Cloud State, including Clara Stiles, Elsa Dopp, and George Lynch. He told an interesting anecdote about how George Lynch convinced him to play basketball and then kicked him out. MacGregor also discussed the backgrounds of the students who attended the university when he did. He claimed that many of them came from farming families, and many of them did not come from families with large amounts of money. MacGregor touched on his reasons for joining the Army during World War I, where he spent the duration in Sussex, England, but did not see combat.
In this second interview of Wally Newstom with his granddaughter he talks about the changes his "Greatest Generation" has seen. His interview highlight below brings to light what diversity in the 1930s looked like in West Central Minnesota.
Interview with Wally Newstrom. Wally relates his experiences growing up in West Central Minnesota. Note: Wally, in addition to several others in the New London Oral History Project, use the term "gypsy." The term was historically used to identify people of Eastern Europe or Romanian decent. Today the term Roma is more widely accepted.
Biographical Information: Hayenga was the staff assistant at the Blue Earth-Nicollet-Faribault Cooperative Electric Association in Mankato, Blue Earth County. Subjects discussed: His background. Background of BENCO. Structure of CPA and UPA. Mid-Continent Area Power Pool. How a project is implemented. Reasons for rate of growth for electricity. Conservation of energy. Structure of Cooperative-United line. Determining need for electricity. Concerns over opposition of line. Health and safety concerns. Siting process-routing of line; public hearings. Alternative sources of power-coal; underground line. Eminent domain laws. Government regulations on utilities-impact of; reason for increased interference. Reason for controversy. Impact of controversy on future powerlines and plants. Research for different technologies. Role of electricity in Minnesota.
Vy Pham was born in 1932 in a small town called Sept Pagodes, near Hanoi, North Vietnam. His father was an elected mayor of the town, named for its seven pagodas. He attended elementary school in Sept Pagodes but went to Bac Ninh, a larger city, for high school. He joined the anti-French resistance in the post-World War II period, but after the country was divided in 1954 he fled to South Vietnam with thousands of other Catholics in fear of religious and political persecution. He arrived in South Vietnam with his wife and child in 1955 and began to work on the French-owned rubber plantations. He became one of the early labor union organizers on the plantations and later was nationally and internationally known in labor circles. For five years he served as Vietnamese delegate to the International Labor Organization's annual conferences in Geneva, Switzerland, and visited the United States several times to meet with AFL-CIO leaders. He also served as economic and social adviser to the South Vietnamese government under both Diem and Thieu. When the South Vietnamese government collapsed in April of 1975, Vy and his family escaped the country with other labor leaders aboard a barge carrying about one thousand people. They were picked up by the United States Seventh Fleet and take to Guam, where they were visited by AFL-CIO leaders from the United States. Later they were sent to a refugee camp at Fort Chafee, Arkansas, to await resettlement. Vy and his family chose to settle in Minnesota, where he had a friend, and arrived in the state in October of 1975. Since then he has worked as an interpreter for Indochinese refugees at the Hennepin County Community Services Department and has also been called up to mediate strikes involving Indochinese refugees in California and Louisiana. Vy and his wife have nine children ranging in age from six to twenty-four years. Three are students at the University of Minnesota, one is at Augsburg College, three are in high school, and two are in elementary school. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Vy discusses the long struggle of the Vietnamese for independence - the organization of the labor movement - the differences between the Vietnamese and American labor movements - Vietnamese family life - and his impressions of Minnesota. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: Vy Pham provides valuable information on the labor movement in Vietnam and its ties to the international labor movement. He also provides insights into the refugee experience.
Vu Khac Khoan was born in Hanoi, Vietnam, on February 19, 1917. His father was a literary scholar and his mother a devout Buddhist. Khoan was the fifth of seven children, most of whom are still living in North Vietnam. As a child he studied Chinese classics with his father, and later he was educated in French in elementary and secondary schools. In 1940 he enrolled in Hanoi University, first in medical school and later in the school of forestry, where he earned a bachelor of science degree. Next he enrolled in law school, but he quit to concentrate on writing, acting, and producing plays with a group of students around the university. In 1946 he joined the anti-French resistance movement along with many other students. After the division of Vietnam in 1954, he fled to South Vietnam with his wife and two children. There he was employed as an editor in the Information Ministry for a time, but he quit when he realized that President Diem was a dictator. In about 1955 he formed a group of writers and published a magazine, the title of which may be translated as Point of View. It was banned by the South Vietnamese government after a few months of publication. The group continued to publish many books, however, and another magazine, Propaganda. Khoan was also associated with the Third Force, a peace group which favored seeking an alternative governing force that was neither communist nor capitalist. After 1963 this group included many Buddhists. Khoan was professor of drama in several Vietnamese universities and professor of drama and literature at Dalat University in the highlands. His play The Last Three Days of Genghis Khan" was produced by students at the latter university and quickly became well-known
Interview with Vivian Tumoikoski. This interview discusses homesteading near One Pine Lake in early 1900. Topics include, dairy farm, chores, milking, bottling, selling, haymaking, and hired help. Vivian also discusses making ice and harvesting ice as well as recreation and family travels.
Shah's parents came from India to the United States where he attended high school and college in Minnesota. He works as an institutional investment consultant. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family life - importance of education to family - cooperation within the Indian community in the Twin Cities - learning Indian languages - growing up in Minnesota - frequent trips to India - an appreciation for one's roots - memories of elementary school - value of hard work and intolerance of violence - family relationships - Jainism - involvement in the School of India for Languages and Culture - high school memories - outdoor activities - traveling abroad - high school and college experiences - tracing Gandhi's footsteps - race relations on campus and in the United States in general - realities in dealing with both American and Indian culture in the second generation.
