By Hayley Jackson
Collection Overview
Title: The Papers of Alfred O. Halvorson, 1904-2013
ID: LCA/RG15/Halvorson, A
Creator: Halvorson, Alfred O. (1886-1936)
Extent: 2.4 Linear Feet. More info below.
Scope and Contents of the Materials
This collection documents the life of Alfred O. Halvorson, a 1910 Luther College Preparatory graduate and World War I veteran. The majority of the collection documents Halvorson's military service, including his military records and honors, correspondence sent home to his family from Europe, and photographs. Other records include: an appellant's brief written during his time as a lawyer; the annual from the high school where he taught; educational records; genealogical research done by his descendants; a play written after his completed his military service; photographs; and his stamp collection.
Biographical Note
Alfred Olai Halvorson was born in Ridgeway, Iowa in 1886. He was the youngest child of Norwegian immigrants Helge (Henry) Halvorson and Torbjorg Jonsdatter Tistel Halvorson. After graduating from Luther College in 1910, Halvorson taught high school and served as principal n Bagley, MN from 1910-1912. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1915 with a law degree, and began practicing law in Crookston, MN until 1917, when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Halvorson was honorably discharged in 1919 and moved to New York upon returning to the United States and studied to be a playwright. He passed away in 1936.
Administrative Information
Alternate Extent Statement:
2 boxes
Use Restrictions:
Though we may hold the property rights, Luther College Archives does not hold the copyrights for all materials. Individuals may use materials for non-commercial, private use, but commercial users must secure permissions from the copyright holders and/or Luther College Archives to reproduce, publish, or quote protected materials and photographs. For more information about the Luther College copyright and fair use policy, please visit https://www.luther.edu/copyright/
Preferred Citation:
Cite unpublished materials: Alfred O. Halvorson Papers, RG15 Manuscripts, Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa
Finding Aid Revision History:
11/18/19: EC updated the preferred citation.
Box and Folder Listing
- Box 1: Papers of Alfred O. Halvorson, 1904-2013, n.d.
- Folder 1: Appellants Brief, 1916
- Folder 2: Bagley High School Annual, 1912
- Folder 3: Biography by Karen Fretheim, undated
- Folder 4: Certification from Luther College Preparatory, 1904
- Folder 5: Correspondence, 1917-1934
- Folder 6: Correspondence Transcriptions, undated
- Folder 7: French Citation - Croix de Guerre, 1918
- Folder 8: Genealogical Research, 2012
- Folder 9: Genealogical Research, 2012
- Folder 10: Genealogical Research, 2012-2013
- Folder 11: Genealogical Research - Halvorson Family Treee, undated
- Folder 12: Military Records, 1918-1919
- Folder 13: Notebook Containing Play by Halvorson, 1929
- Folder 14: Photographs, 1904-1919, undated
- Folder 15: "The Rhineland" Guide Book, undated
- Folder 16: Stamp Collection, undated
- Item 1: Book, The Story of the United States Marines 1740-1919, undated
- Box 2: Military Honors, 1918-1936
- Item 1: United States Flag, 1936
- Flag draped on casket of Halvorson at his funeral.
- Item 2: American Expeditionary Forces Second Division Citation, 1918
- Item 3: War Service Certificate, United States Marine Corps, 1919
- Item 4: United States Army Citation, 1919
- Item 5: Citation a L'Ordre de L'Armée, 1918
- Citation from the French army, signed by General Pétain. Halvorson was awarded the Croix de Guerre (War Cross) and can be seen wearing it in photographs. A translation of his citation can be found in the first box.