Elmer Benson Interview, 1973

Title

Elmer Benson Interview, 1973

Authors

Elmer A. Benson

Files

Download Elmer Benson Interview Transcript (2.9 MB)

Document Type

Book

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Interviewer

Jo Antonson

Interviewee

Elmer A. Benson

Date Recorded

6-21-1973

Date Digital

7-7-2020

Location Recorded

Benson Residence, Appleton, Minnesota

County

Swift County

Keywords

Minnesota Nonpartisan League; Farmer-Labor Party; Swift County (Minn.)--Politics and government; Minnesota--Politics and government--1858-1950; Townley, A. C. (Arthur Charles), 1880-1959; Legislators--Minnesota; Governors--Minnesota; Minnesota Farm Holiday Association; Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party; Petersen, Hjalmar; Olson, Floyd Björnstjerne, 1891-1936; Conservatism--Minnesota; AFL-CIO; Vietnam War, 1961-1975

Description

Elmer Benson was the son of Norwegian immigrants and had lived all his life in Appleton, Minnesota, where he was born. After attending law school, Benson served in World War I and then worked in an Appleton bank. He was appointed Securities Commissioner, later Bank Commissioner, and then U.S. Senator by Floyd B. Olson. Elmer Benson, a Farmer-Laborite, was then elected governor in 1936. He was also active in the Non-Partisan League.

In this interview, Elmer Benson discusses the Non-Partisan League in Minnesota and Swift County, the establishment of the Farmer-Labor Party in Minnesota, and Benson's participation. He discusses the Farmer-Labor Association, A.C. Townley, and the Farmer-Labor Party in West Central Minnesota. He discusses New Deal principles and West Central Minnesota Farmer's Holiday Movement, as well as the Democratic Party-Farmer-Labor Party merger. He discusses Hjalmar Petersen, Floyd B. Olson, and representative Rev. Kvale, He also discusses the split in the Farmer-Labor Party, Benson's present activities, and his opinion of his administration and the Farmer-Labor Party. Finally, he talks about his concern over the present conservatism in the DFL and the nation, the AFL-CIO, and his anti-war sentiments about the Vietnam War.

Run Time

00:55:49

Language

English

Original Format

Reel-to-Reel

Digital Identifier

SWCBenson01

Repository

West Central Minnesota Historical Research Center (WCMHRC)

Local Identifier

280

Primo Type

Audio

Elmer Benson Interview, 1973

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