Interview with Harlan and Bertha Krause. Note: This tape is very fuzzy and hard to understand. He talks about his parents moving from somewhere in South Dakota to Browns Valley, Minnesota in order to farm. His family came to Ely from Browns Valley in 1923 because they were sick of farming. His father was hired at the Pioneer Mine as a timberman to start with. Later he was a janitor in the shop buildings. He died in 1939. Harlan began working at the Pioneer Mine in 1926. He retired 41 years later when the Pioneer closed its doors. A religious man, he preached salvation wherever he could. When he was given the choice between joining the union or losing his job, he refused to join the union and he also kept his job. The same was true when he was offered group insurance through the mine. He refused the insurance even though it meant that the quota of insured men was too low for good rates. He felt his sustenance came from God, not the Oliver Mining Company.
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.
In this interview, Harold Arenson gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and World War II veteran. He was born in 1922 in St. Paul. Arenson explains the while attending the University of Minnesota he joined the Service as a combat engineer and eventually fought in France, Belgium and Germany. He suffered an injury but continued to serve after rehabilitation. Arenson tells stories abundantly about the war. He recounts his post-war experience partnering with his father on St. Paul's East Side, and raises the issue of Jews fighting war in general. This interview was conducted by Susan Hoffman 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
"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 Harold Nelson. Harold volunteered for the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) during the Great Depression. He was stationed in Isabella and decided to stay there after his tour was done. The CCC men were paid $30 a month but $25 was sent to their families. When the CCC camps shut down he was left with out work but managed to get some work with the AAWPS and then worked for the Evergreen Mine for three years. When it closed he worked for the Zenith Mine and then the Sibley Mine where he stayed until World War II ended. Eventually he was hired at the Pioneer Mine where he worked for 20 years until he retired.
In this interview, Harold Specktor gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan and World War II veteran. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1923. Specktor explains that he joined in the Army as infantry and received training to be a combat engineer. He describes his training and subsequent combat along the Siegfried Line in Europe, giving specific information about combat and casualties in his unit, along with a description of his life during the occupation of Germany. Specktor concludes with a description of his post-war life in St. Paul as a carpenter building homes in the Highland Park area of St. Paul. This interview was conducted by Fay Kaye 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
There are at least four men in the group being interviewed, including Harry Carson and Earl Geil, and a man named Warner, probably Carl Warner. Quote attributed to "unkown" may refer to more than one man. One of the unidentified men could be a brother of Geil's, possibly Harry Geil. The group discusses the names of Chief Bemidji's children; the relationship between the Carsons and Chief Bemidji; a man named Hinch sketching Chief Bemidji for a statue; coming to Bemidji before the mill started; whether early Bemidji was safe for women; when the Geil family came to Bemidji; the Geils freighting for the Carsons; the Geils building a house; Geil and McTaggart purchasing the Remore Hotel; about Guy Remore; running the Remore Hotel; fleas, lice and bedbugs; the Markham Hotel; settlers who were in Bemidji before the Geils; hauling in a boiler from Park Rapids; working at the Steidl mills; the Swedback mill; about Warner's travels from North Dakota by covered wagon; Earl Geil stopping Willis Brannon's runaway team; their memories of the local panic about the Leech Lake uprising; when a group of Ojibwe raided a liquor delivery; the mission between Lake Andrusia and Cass Lake; the city opera house; early doctors, hospitals, and smallpox; the origin of the Bemidji fire department; and the fire on Whiskey Row. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
This interview investigates the life and activity of Harry Rosenthal (1897 - ), leader in the St. Paul, Minnesota Jewish community over a period of several decades. Rosenthal discusses his immigration story from Eastern Europe to New York City and then St. Paul, military activity in World War I, marriage to Rose Calmenson, his business and interest in Zionism. The focus of the interview moves to Young Judea and then the Jewish Education movement in the 1920s and 30s. Rosenthal discusses the establishment and improvement of Jewish schools in St. Paul along with some information about the history of other Jewish community establishments. He recounts his activity with the American Jewish Conference in New York City, the establishment of the state of Israel, and its impact upon the St. Paul Jewish Zionists. The interview concludes with Rosenthal describing the formation of the St. Paul Jewish Community Center and his second marriage. This interview was conducted by Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest volunteer Morris Lapidos for the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In this interview, Harry Rosenthal (1897 - ), leader in the St. Paul, Minnesota Jewish community gives an account of his community involvement over a near sixty year period. Rosenthal recounts his early interest in Zionism and the beginnings of his involvement in Jewish communal affairs after World War I. He describes encounters with numerous internationally notable Zionists, pre -history of the United Jewish Fund, work with Hebrew schools, camps and numerous other Jewish organizations. The conversation moves to how Jewish traditions and values have changed over recent decades, transmission of values to younger generations, contemporary and historical Jewish life on a global scale, and the future of Judaism. This interview was conducted by Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest volunteer Morris Lapidos for the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Helen Stub was the secretary-treasurer of the Twin City Library Club (TCLC) when the organization dissolved around 1959. Founded in 1906, the Twin City Library Club was an organization intended to help librarians in St. Paul and Minneapolis become acquainted with each other and the library collections of the Twin Cities. Helen reflects in the interview:
"This group of people were active participants in the intellectual, aesthetic, educational, political life of that period between 1906-1959. And, that period included two World Wars, a depression, the recovery, the New Deal, droughts, and, of course, the invention of the automobile."
Helen Stub discusses the founding of the organization by Clara Baldwin (Director, Public Library Commission, 1889-1936), John King (Director, Minnesota State Library), Gratia Countryman (Director, Minneapolis Public Library), W.W. Folwell (President, University of Minnesota, 1869-1884) and relays tales from the Secretary-Treasurer's books that chronicle the events of the library profession in the Twin Cities. These include summaries of lectures, reports on library successes, and descriptions of a 1908 list of periodicals of the libraries in Minneapolis and St. Paul, early interlibrary loan, site visits to libraries, announcement of the first bookmobile, parties at the H.W. Wilson company, boat trips on the Mississippi, road tours by car, and elegant dinners.
Helen began her library career in Fairfax, MN, in 1948, moving to St. Paul Park in 1952, and, then, as a librarian in the Minneapolis School District from 1955-1980. She served as President of Minnesota Educational Media Organization from 1977-1978. This interview also includes an audio recording, recording table of contents, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
In an oral history, Henry Mattson tells about his father coming from Sweden to homestead near Brainerd about 1896. He also talks about things he remembers from his childhood up to World War I like life on the farm, his schooling, and cutting wood to sell. He also speaks of things concerning the 1920s and 1930s and how he help to build the telephone lines in the area.
In an oral history, Herb Anderson describes his family coming to Crow Wing County from Sweden experiences he had as a youngster, encounters his famly had with Indians, his parents starting a resort, and general information about the area in the early part of the 20th century.
In an oral history, Herbert Frank Thiesse tells about how life was growing up on a dairy farm during the Depression years and what the family did to survive.
Holly Young is a Dakota beadwork artist who shares about her journey discovering the stories of her ancestors through learning traditional beadwork. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
In this interview, Irving Nathanson gives an account of his life as a Jewish Minnesotan. He explains how he was born around the turn of the 20th century to Morris and Jenny Nathanson, who left Chicago for Eveleth, Minnesota to be merchants. Nathanson continues, telling the story of how the family moved to St. Paul in the 1920s so that Irving could go to the University of Minnesota. He and his father than successfully started and operated an importing business which survived the Depression. Life in the 1920s is discussed at length, including home life, cars, neighborhoods in St. Paul (Crocus Hill, Grand Avenue, and possibly Rondo), Jewish businesses, temple, and family. This interview was conducted by Andy Gellman as a part of the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project focusing on the West Side Flats/Lower West Side Jewish community in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In this interview, Irving Stern (1928 - ) gives his perspective as mayor of Saint Louis Park and Minnesota state senator on local politics, commercial and residential development, and Jewish issues during his years in public service. The beginning of the interview consists of Stern's journey to politics and family background, including historical information related to the Jewish community of Saint Louis Park. Particular topics discussed were the Planning Commission, campaigning, anti-Semitism and Minnesota state politics. The interview concludes with a discussion of the Jewish migration from the North Side to Saint Louis Park, local synagogues, Saint Louis Park schools and the Iron Range. This interview was conducted by Jeff Norman, oral historian from California. "Urban Exodus: The Saint Louis Park Oral History Project" explores the post-World War II migration of Minneapolis's Jewish community from the city's North Side to the western suburb of Saint Louis Park. The 35 oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within and beyond the Jewish community, tell the complex story of how, from 1945 to 1970, Saint Louis Park became a major center of Jewish life in Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
In this interview, Irwine Gordon, president of the St. Paul Jewish Community Center in the 1940s, chair of the National Jewish Fund, and board member of the United Jewish fund, gives an account of some of the Jewish community initiatives in the Twin Cities. Additional topics covered in this interview include the Rosenthal family, funding initiatives devoted to Jewish education through a Social Planning Committee, the idea of building a Talmud Torah adjacent to the not yet built Temple of Aaron, the Kaplan Fund, and Jewish Community Cemetery administration. This interview was conducted by Phyllis Saltzman as a part of the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project focusing on the West Side Flats/Lower West Side Jewish community in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Note: This tape does not begin at the beginning but jumps into the subject mid-sentence. Isabel speaks of being on the school board and the problems faced when the Superintendent was a Catholic and many on the board were Lutherans. She said that a man she had admired and thought most upright and decent remarked when a majority of the board were Lutherans that now they could "get" the superintendent. Women, for the most part, did not run for public office. Their husbands would not like having their wives in the public like that. In thinking it over she was proud that she had run for school board and served her term but wouldn't do it again. Talking about Ely's future (in the 1980s), she saw Ely as stuck with tourism now that the mines were closed. However more restrictions were being placed on tourism as well making it difficult to make a living as a resort-owner, too. In the mid-1950s, drilling companies were busy drilling along Highway 1 for precious metals, gold in particular. Now even those explorations were gone as the government put more restrictions on land usage. She speaks of declining populations citing how whole neighborhoods that once teemed with children now house old, single women. One thing, she said, is that as you get old you don't lie awake thinking of the things you shouldn't have done, but instead you think of the things you should have done. The children suffer, she said, when women try to have it all and their marriages pay the price as well.
Schroeder Area Historical Society, Schroeder, Minnesota
Date Created:
2000-03-31
Description:
The oral history of James Tveekrem describes his Norwegian grandparents settling in the Thomasville section of Schroeder, Minnesota, living in the saloon of a lumber camp, death of father and uncle on Lake Superior, Schroeder, Minnesota,daily life of a kid, Rural Electrification Association, trapping, school on the North Shore of Lake Superior, Cook County, Minnesota, Minnesota college in Duluth, Minnesota, and bird banding in Schroeder, Minnesota.
Morton Galetto, Jane; Morton, Charles; Galetto, Peter
Date Created:
2018-07-14
Description:
Jane Morton Galetto and her uncle, Charles Morton, and husband Peter Galetto, share family stories about Minnesota conservation icon Richard J. Dorer. Charles is a nephew of Richard J. Dorer and Jane is a great niece. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Jeanie Hill is a farmer near Elba. She shares about her letter she werote in college to Richard J. Dorer and the friendshp that began with him. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Jeanne DeMars was a graduate assistant at St. Cloud State University when they began the great conversion of their card catalog to the MARC format via the OCLC union catalog (early 1970s). Shortly thereafter, after getting her master's degree from St. Cloud, Jeanne became the library director at Willmar Community College, began the process of converting from cards to MARC in preparation for their move to the PALS (Project for Automated Library Systems) system, and trained library staff to help with the project. From there Jeanne worked at PALS (program of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities initiated at Mankato State University in 1978) for a number of years before arriving at Traverse des Sioux Library System in Mankato, MN, where she currently works as Assistant Director for Technology Services.
Jeanne DeMars's interview questions focused on the topic of library automation. In the early 1970s, the MARC standard was relatively new, the OCLC union catalog was new (now known as OCLC WorldCat), and projects to convert library card catalogs to machine readable MARC records were just beginning. In her interview, Jeanne also describes searching the OCLC union catalog when it first became available, when PALS (shared union catalog of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities) was first rolled out to students and faculty, and other stories about automating library card catalogs. This interview also includes an audio recording, recording table of contents, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
Jeff is a professional geologist and amateur historian who lives near the park. He shared memories the unique characteristics of the Driftless area and some of the hidden history of the region.
Jerry Baldwin's first library job was as a student at the St. Paul Campus Library (now Magrath Library). From there, he went to library school at the University of Minnesota, and, then, on to the Minnesota Department of Highways (now the Minnesota Department of Transportation) Library as Director from 1972-2007. In his interview, he talks about staff from the Minitex Union List of Serials (MULS) visiting the MnDOT library to record their serial holdings, the development of the Transportation Libraries Catalog (TransCat) as one of the first OCLC Group catalogs, creation of the National Transportation Library (1998) and the Transportation Knowledge Networks, and reauthorization of the National Transportation Library. This interview also includes an audio recording, recording table of contents, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
