This collection contains oral histories pertaining to life and events in the West Central region of Minnesota. The oral histories range greatly in topic and time period.
The digitization of these oral histories was made possible in part by the people of Minnesota through a grant funded by an appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Any views, findings, opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society, or the Minnesota Historic Resources Advisory Committee.
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Gail Whitmer Interview, 1981
Gail Whitmer
Gail Whitmer bought the Morris Taxi Service in late 1959. He was familiar with the taxi company because he was in a unique position of being the former night driver for Mr. Luckens "Morris Taxi" company. He worked out of the Merchant's Hotel and had two taxis.
In this interview, Gail Whitmer talks about different people he transported, costs of operation, and city involvement. He decided to sell the business in 1968 because of an arthritic hip. However, he never was able to sell the business as he could find no buyer.
Stevens County
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Obed Wiger Interview, ca. 1977
Obed Wiger
Obed Wiger was 86 years old and was born in Jackson, Minnesota. His parents immigrated from Norway and homesteaded in Jackson County. His father was a tailor, but became a farmer in Jackson. He farmed at his father's homestead until he was 20, then he homesteaded in Canada for four years. He then settled in Pope County, Minnesota.
In this interview, Obed talk about growing up on the farm. He talks about the grasshopper problems with the farm. He mentions going to a country school. He discusses his own homestead in Canada and farming experiences in Pope County, Minnesota. He talks about the mechanization of farming with tractors and the implementation of fertilizers and pesticides. Finally, he discusses his marriage and how he met his wife.
Pope County
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Mary Willie Interview, ca. 1979
Mary Willie
Mary Willie was born in Iowa and was 85 years old. Her family moved to Minnesota because of cheaper land available.
In this interview, she discusses the moving process and traveling by covered wagon. She also mentions barn dances and the threshing experience.
Stevens County
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Dr. Sanford Wilson Interview, 1976
Sanford Wilson
Dr. Wilson served as chairman of the board of citizens who fought to build a new hospital in Starbuck, Minnesota.
In this interview, he discusses the problems involved, including the decision to switch from a community operated hospital to a district operated one. Other specifics discussed include Glenwood's unwillingness to help with the project and the difficulty in finding an adequate plot of ground on which to build.
Pope County
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LeRoy Woolridge Interview, 1975
LeRoy Woolridge
In this interview, Mr. Woolridge discusses how he acquired the first airplane in Stevens County. He discusses his barnstorming activities across the Midwest and general views of early aviation.
Stevens County
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Roy Woolridge Interview, ca. 1975
LeRoy Woolridge
Roy Woolridge was 76 years old and was born in Iowa. He operated the pool hall in the Morris Hotel and also the Chevrolet and Buick dealership in the 1920s. He talks of his experiences as an early aviator, barnstormer, and stunt flyer. He flew with the likes of Lindberg and Amelia Earhart.
Stevens County
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Roy Woolridge Interview, ca. 1978
LeRoy Woolridge
Roy Woolridge was 70 years old, from Morris, and this was his second appearance on Reminiscing in West Central Minnesota. The first part of the interview consists of excerpts from his earlier interview.
In the second part of the interview, Roy discusses his activities with the Senior Citizens Center.
Stevens County
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Gordon A. Yock Interview, 1977
Gordon A. Yock
In this interview, Gordon Yock talks about the Clara City Telephone Company, its good services and low rates, problems of other communities with phone service, and the Continental Telephone Company of Minnesota and Appleton, Minnesota. He also discusses the Variety Supply Company and some of its problems, his years as Republican State Chairman, the Boy Scouts in Clara City, and the churches and the German ethnic community in Clara City.
Chippewa County
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Gordon A. Yock Interview, 1977
Gordon A. Yock
In this interview, Gordon Yock describes the beginning of the Variety Supply Company of Clara City, Minnesota (a warehouse and distributing enterprise which functioned like a cooperative. He discusses the difficulties in obtaining merchandise during World War II, the difficulties of convincing rural merchants to join with the VSC, and attempts of large jobbers to keep VSC out of the distributing field. He discusses the early days in Clara City and Emil Yock's General Store in Clara City. Emil Yock was Gordon's father and a pioneer settler of Clara City.
Chippewa County
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James M. Youngdale Interview, 1973
James M. Youngdale
James Youngdale was raised on a farm in Swift County and was active in politics in the area for many years. After graduating from Carleton College in 1940, Youngdale served on a government internships and then the Navy. Youngdale, the author of a book in Minnesota politics, ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Congress several times between 1940 and 1966.
In this interview, James Youngdale discusses his personal and family background. He gives a brief history of early Swift County and the Depression in Swift County. He discusses his party affiliation, Minnesota politics in the 1930s and 1940s, Elmer Benson, and the election of 1948. He discusses the Democrat tradition vs. the Farmer-Labor tradition, the DFL convention of 1948, and Swift County as a politically active county. He also discusses the influence of ethnic groups in Swift County, Youngdale's historical research and writing, the Independent Voters of Minnesota, Youngdale's election attempts, and the National Farmers Organization (NFO).
Swift County
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James Youngdale Interview, 1984
James M. Youngdale
Born in central Iowa, James Youngdale eventually migrated to Benson, Minnesota. After majoring in Economics in Carleton College and serving a brief sting in the U.S. Navy, Youngdale became a candidate for Congress in the seventh district. However, he was unsuccessful in all three attempts.
In this interview, James Youngdale discusses his relationship with the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) and party policies in West Central Minnesota.
Swift County
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August "Pat" Zimmerman Interview, ca. 1979
August Zimmerman
August "Pat" Zimmerman was a lifetime resident of Chokio and was 80 years old. He was a farmer for most of his life.
Pat discusses the town of Chokio and what it was like when he was growing up. He talks about his German background, the local church, the family farm, his best years in farming, and changes in the types of equipment used.
Stevens County
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Dorothy Zinda Interview, 1978
Dorothy Zinda
Mrs. Zinda is active in the Morris Senior Citizens Center.
In this interview, Mrs. Zinda discusses the Morris Senior Citizens Center, particularly the Nutrition Center and activity programs.
Stevens County