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  Charles Christianson Interview, 1975

  Charles Christianson

  Charles Christianson was born in 1894 and was a long-time resident of Grant County.

  In this interview, he tells the story told to him by his uncle about the time the county records were moved from Herman to Elbow Lake

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  Robert B. Coy Interview, 1976

  Robert B. Coy

  Robert Coy was born in 1894 and came to Danvers Minnesota with his family in 1905. His father had purchased both a lumberyard and later a general store. His father subsequently sold the lumberyard and in a few years, his father died. The store was managed by a guardian who turned it over to the elder Coy's sons once the boys graduated from high school. Robert Coy lived in Danvers and managed the store until 1969.

  In this interview, Robert Coy discusses what Danvers was like in the early 1900s in terms of recreation, facilities, and employment. He mentions the changes the years have brought (for example: a large fire in 1931) and speaks briefly about his role as a businessman during the Depression and World Wars.

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  Agnes Cunningham Interview, 1973

  Agnes Cunningham

  In this interview, Agnes Cunningham discusses her family and personal history, her family in the early days of Big Stone County, school in Big Stone County, the effects of the Depression on teaching, differences in teaching from 1935 to 1955, World War II, and diseases and health problems, including polio.

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  Harold Eastlund Interview, 1978

  Harold Eastlund

  Harold Eastlund was born in Moorhead in November, 1901. After his two year Moorhead teaching degree was completed, he came to teach in the Pope County area in 1923 and became County Superintendent in 1926. He served in this capacity until 1936 when he was not re-elected and worked until his retirement as a school textbook distributor.

  In this interview, Harold Eastlund discusses the role and function of county superintendents, early rural schools, school consolidation, and other related materials.

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  Ellen A. Eberlin Interview, 1978

  Ellen A. Eberlin

  Ellen Eberlin was born in 1882 in Howard Lake, Minnesota and graduated from Glenwood High School. She married Dr. E.A. Eberlin in 1907 and lived in Glenwood in the same house since then. Her husband practiced in the Glenwood area until his death in the late 1960s.

  In this interview, she comments upon early medical practices, running a private hospital, billing, and the outstate doctor's life. The tape begins by discussing her family's background.

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  Ethel Ellingson Hanson Interview, 1973

  Ethel Ellingson Hanson

  In this interview, Ethel Ellingson Hanson discusses her grandparents moving to Minnesota, Grant and Douglas Counties, early transportation, the diphtheria epidemic in 1888, early burial practices, Dr. Griswold from Hoffman, the Barrett Ice Factory and flour mills, farming practices, and early Hoffman businessmen.

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  Tena Fjoslien Interview, 1972

  Tena Fjoslien

  Tena Fjoslien was born on Feb. 4, 1872 in a dugout in Ofstad Township in Otter Tail County. Her father was Andrew Meyergrin, a Norwegian immigrant. Tena married Knute Fjoslien and had 10 children.

  In this interview, Tena Fjoslien talks about her early neighbors, the school she went to, a diphtheria epidemic, and other aspects of life in Grant County, Minnesota.

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  Astrid Forde Interview, 1976

  Astrid Forde

  In this interview, Astrid Forde discusses the process of changing church services conducted in Norwegian to church services conducted in English in the Lutheran churches in Pope County.

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  Fred Foslien Interview, 1978

  Fred Foslien

  Fred Foslien was born July 25, 1895 outside of Alexandria. He completed an 8th grade education. While farming with his father, he was instrumental in organizing the Production Credit Association of Alexandria. He managed PCA for 39 years, beginning in 1933. He bought land east of Alexandria and was responsible in setting up the Victoria Heights Community. As a State Senator for three years in the 1930s he did much to pass vital highway legislation among other things.

  In the interview, Foslien discusses the Production Credit Association (PCA), Victoria Heights development, the state highway legislation of the 1930s, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), and the Non-Partisan League, in which he was very active.

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  Elmer Goodyear Interview, 1976

  Elmer Goodyear

  Elmer Goodyear was born in Sioux City, Iowa and was 81 years old at the time of the interview.

  In this interview, Elmer Goodyear discusses the Depression and his early schooling. He also discusses a wagon train move from South Dakota to Iowa during the 1930s.

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  Donovan Grover Interview, 1978

  Donovan Grover

  In this interview, Donovan Grover discusses his great-grandparents of English descent who settled at Pomme de Terre Fort and their journey from St. Paul,. His great-grandfather was one of the first settlers in Grant County. His maternal grandmother was the first school teacher in St. Olaf township and taught Norwegian speakers. He discusses the Nonpartisan League and opposition in the town of Ashby by merchants and bankers. As a child, Donovan Grover worked for his grandfather on his farm. He worked as village treasurer and assessor in Ashby, worked for the County Welfare Department in Elbow Lake from 1936-1940 and was postmaster and a rural mail carrier in Ashby for many years (1940-1966). He was also on the school board for many community organizations and discusses all of these.

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  George Grussing Interview, 1973

  George Grussing

  George Grussing, a lifetime resident of Clara City, Minnesota, served seven terms as state representative from 1955 through 1967. In Clara City, Grussing had a stone and carpentry business.

  In this interview, George Grussing discusses how his political career started, some bills sponsored by Grussing, and working for the area watershed program. He discusses the place of a rural background in the State Legislature, the growth of Clara City, area farming, the Great Depression, and Clara City businesses. He discusses his time as a legislator, the relationship between Grussing and his constituents, and the role of lobbyists in the Legislature.

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  Mrs. Tosten Hagen Interview, 1972

  Mrs. Tosten Hagen and Mrs. Herbert Blistning

  Mrs. Tosten Hagen (first name never given) was born in a dugout in 1837 near the village of Pomme de Terre. Her daughter, Mrs. Herbert Blistning (first name never given) assisted her during the interview.

  In this interview, Mrs. Tosten Hagen discusses her parents being some of the earliest settlers of Pomme de Terre in the 1860s and how they arrived in the area. She discusses how her father made a living fur trapping. She discusses the Native Americans her family interacted with during her childhood and life on the Pomme de Terre River. She discusses her first teachers, the sewing school in Fergus Falls, the stagecoach in Pomme de Terre, and the early businesses of the village of Pomme de Terre.

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  Ernie Hansen Interview, 1978

  Ernie Hansen

  Ernie Hansen was born in Ashby in the house in which he resided during the interview.

  In this interview, Ernie Hansen talks about the immigration of his parents from Denmark and his father's blacksmith occupation. His own occupation as a rural mail carrier for 46 years, the Depression in the Ashby area, and the Non-Partisan League are also briefly discussed.

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  Nels P. Hanson Interview, 1976

  Nels P. Hanson

  Nels P. Hanson was born in 1899 in Westbrook, Minnesota. He attended the School of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota College of Agriculture, graduating in 1933. He came to Pope County in May of 1934.

  In this interview, Nels Hanson discusses the Non-Partisan League, the effects of the Great Depression on farmers in the Pope County area, and the politics of Pope County during the 1930s.

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  Earl Hauge Interview, 1979

  Earl Hauge

  Earl Hauge was born on October 18, 1940 and resided in Glenwood, Minnesota. He was a farmer and former parish pastor, and was active in the Powerline protest in the late 1970s. Hauge was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party and served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 15A from 1981-1982.

  In this interview, Earl Hauge discusses the reasons for his defeat in the 1978 election for legislator in District 15A, running against Delbert Anderson. Earl Hauge also discussed issues related to his bid for office, such as education and the Powerline controversy. He also mentions some basic strategy he planned to use in the election of 1980 that was different from his strategies in 1978.

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  Reuben Heggen Interview, 1973

  Reuben Heggen

  Reuben Heggen's father, Thomas Heggen, was involved in the moving of the Traverse County seat from Brown's Valley to Wheaton. Reuben Heggen was a long-time resident of Wheaton.

  In this interview, Heggen discusses the moving of the county seat from Browns Valley to Wheaton. He discusses why Wheaton wanted the seat, the raiding of the Browns Valley Courthouse, and animosity between Browns Valley and Wheaton.

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  Drucella Hodgson Nelson Interview, 1972

  Drucella Hodgson Nelson

  Drucella Hodgson Nelson was born in 1886 in Delaware Township. Her parents were Thomas C. Hodgson and Eliza Clegg Hodgson, who were both born on the Isle of Mann in the Irish Sea.

  In this interview, Drucella Hodgson Nelson talks about Bill Moses and his farm and how he started the county fair. She discusses the Moses "Big Farm" and its running water. She talks about General Barrett and how he discussed politics with her father. She discusses her father, Thomas C. Hodgson, and his university education at Hamline University and how he fought in the Civil War in the New Ulm raid. She also discusses her education, going to Elbow Lake High School and going to the University of Minnesota.

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  Harry Holzer Interview, 1975

  Harry Holzer

  Harry Holzer was born in November of 1900 in Montevideo, Minnesota. He graduated from Montevideo High School and Carleton College. For 47 years he was a journalist with the Montevideo paper. He served in World War II and at the time of the interview was working at the print shop in Montevideo. During his years in Montevideo, he was very active in civic affairs, serving on the school board for 12 years, working with the Chamber of Commerce, aiding in founding Fiesta Days and numerous activities.

  In this interview, Harry Holzer discusses a variety of topics including remembrances of college, prohibition, World War II activities, and the development of Montevideo.

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  Tegner Hustad Interview, 1973

  Tegner Hustad

  Tegner Hustad was born and raised on a farm north of Starbuck which both his father and his grandfather had farmed. Tegner farmed that land for a few years, then went on to be the first park ranger at Glacier Lake State Park for 7 years. He was employed at the time of the interview as a field supervisor for the Minnesota Valley Breeders' Association.

  In this interview, Tegner Hustad discusses the early settling of the Starbuck area and why people settled there. He discusses the founding of the Starbuck school and church, the effect of the railroad on the growth of the community, early health care, relations with local Native American tribes, and the founding of the Pope County Bank. He also discusses the conditions that caused Norwegians to immigrate to the United States, and the problems they encountered on arrival.

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  Tegner Hustad Interview, 1975

  Tegner Hustad

  Tegner Hustad was born in 1911 and lived in the area all of his life. He worked for eight years as a state park ranger at Glacial Lakes State Park. Bird watching and ecology were life-long hobbies.

  In this interview, Tegner Hustad discusses the preservation of prairie lands, management of the land, and the changes he has observed in plan and animal life on the prairie.

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  Carl M. Iverson Interview, 1973

  Carl M. Iverson

  Carl Iverson was born in 1894 in Ashby, Minnesota. He was a long-serving representative in the Minnesota Legislature (1919-1966). He served in the House (1919-30 and from 1939-1966) and the Senate (1931-1934). He was first elected as part of the Minnesota Nonpartisan League.

  In this interview, Carl Iverson discusses farming operations in 1868, the Pomme de Terre fort and station schooling, the Non-Partisan League, the organization of the Cooperative, the Farmer-Labor Party, the Depression, farm mortgages, dust storms, the State Legislature, state income tax, the University of Minnesota Morris, Medicare, no-fault insurance, probate court, the planned experimental city near Ashby, and farmer's holiday.

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  Carl M. Iverson Interview, 1978

  Carl M. Iverson

  Carl Iverson was born in 1894 in Ashby, Minnesota. He was a long-serving representative in the Minnesota Legislature (1919-1966). He served in the House (1919-30 and from 1939-1966) and the Senate (1931-1934). He was first elected as part of the Minnesota Nonpartisan League.

  In this interview, Carl Iverson discusses the Farmers Equity Exchange, the Grain Cooperative, Shipping Associations, Farmers Cooperative on a broader basis, and the Non-Partisan League

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  Peter Jensen Interview, ca. 1972

  Peter Jensen

  In this interview, Peter Jensen discusses Lake Traverse boat traffic, grain elevators, commerce on Lake Traverse, and experiences of a boat captain.

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  Wilmer Johnson Interview, 1975

  Wilmer Johnson

  Wilmer Johnson was born on June 19, 1907 in Moonshine Township, Big Stone County. He farmed in that area until 1952 at which time he moved to Morris to work with Eames Distributing until his retirement.

  In this interview, Wilmer Johnson started by reviewing his life in near decade by decade terms dealing mainly with 1920-1950. He mostly discusses farming and youth. He then spoke of his family's background from Sweden and the new life in western Minnesota near Graceville. Finally, he gave some views on the changing of life for farmers and further recollections of past experiences.