This series holds materials relating to the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War, as collected by Luther College Archives. Included are letters, photographs, memorial service programs, realia, and published materials. Not only do these boxes document the history of the United States, but also its affect at Luther College and within the Decorah-area community.

Biographical Note

Located in the small northeast Iowa town of Decorah, Luther College is an undergraduate liberal arts institution of about 2,500 students. The college is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Founded in 1861 by Norwegian immigrants, Luther offers more than 60 majors and preprofessional and certificate programs leading to the bachelor of arts degree. Its mission statement emphasizes faith, leadership, and community service. Luther College provides equal opportunity for all qualified persons in its educational programs and activities.

Subject/Index Terms

Luther College (Decorah, Iowa)
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - History
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Students
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Students - Organizations
United States - History
United States - History - Civil War, 1861-1865
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1914-1918 - Correspondence
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945 - Correspondence
World War, 1939-1945 - Memorials
World War, 1939-1945 - Personal Narratives
World War, 1939-1945 - Photographs - Europe
World War, 1939-1945 - Photographs - Pacific

Administrative Information

Repository: Luther College Archives

Alternate Extent Statement: 7 boxes

Access Restrictions: All materials are available for research.

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/.

Original/Copies Note: Many of the materials in this collection are photocopies or reproductions of published materials, such as newspaper clippings and letters. Originals may be held by the originating publisher or creator. Please note that Luther College may hold property rights to these materials, but may not hold the copyright.

Preferred Citation:

Cite unpublished materials: War Letters and Memorabilia, RG00 History Relating to Luther College, Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa

Cite published materials as required by your chosen citation style (Chicago, MLA, APA, etc.).

Finding Aid Revision History: 4/11/2019: Hayley Jackson updated link to copyright policy.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Sub-Series:

[Sub-Series 1: Civil War, 1861-1981],
[Sub-Series 2: World War I, 1916-1956],
[Sub-Series 3: World War II, 1944-1946],
[Sub-Series 4: Vietnam War, 1970-1973],
[All]

Sub-Series 1: Civil War, 1861-1981

Box 1: Letters and Memorabilia

Folder 1: Civil War Memorabilia

Item 1: Blue Ribbon with Gold Pin, undated
Item 2: Card for W. B. Britton, undated

Folder 2: Halsten, Paal (Letter)

Item 1: Letter to Henry Larson from Paal Halsten, 13 August 1861
Item 2: English Translation, 1 December 1976

Folder 3: Sanda, Jorgen Jorgensen (Letters), 1862 - 1864

Handwritten letters from Jorgen Jorgensen Sanda (also signed as George Georgeson) to his mother and to Maren Sanda. Letters to his mother are sent to Mary Ann Georgeson, Capron, Boone Co. Illinois. Letters document his involvement with many Tennessee campaigns, including Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga, TN, and mention "Long Prairie Boys" Andres Kleiva, John Torvold, Halvor Stoll, and Skaffer Joe.

Creator: Sanda, Jorgen Jorgensen

Item 1: Letter to mother, 23 May 1862: Creator: Sanda, Jorgen Jorgensen
Item 2: English Translation: 23 May 1862 letter translated into English.
Item 3: Letter to mother, 8 August 1862: Creator: Sanda, Jorgen Jorgensen
Item 4: English Translation: 8 August 1862 letter translated into English.; Translator: Brekke, Arne
Item 5: Letter to Maren Sanda, undated: Creator: Sanda, Jorgen Jorgensen
Item 6: English Translation: Letter to Maren Sanda translated into English.
Item 7: Letter to mother, 29 June 1863: Creator: Sanda, Jorgen Jorgensen
Item 8: English Translation: 29 June 1863 letter translated into English.
Item 9: Letter to mother, 16 July 1863: Creator: Sanda, Jorgen Jorgensen
Item 10: Letter to mother, 31 July 1863: Creator: Sanda, Jorgen Jorgensen; Physical Description: Letter is incomplete. Only one page exists.
Item 11: English Translation: 31 July 1863 letter translated into English
Item 12: Letter to mother, 15 November 1863: Creator: Sanda, Jorgen Jorgensen
Item 13: English Translation: 15 November 1863 letter translated into English
Item 14: Letter to mother, 27 November 1863: Creator: Sanda, Jorgen Jorgensen
Item 15: English Translation: 27 November 1863 letter translated into English
Item 16: Letter to mother, 27 June 1864: Creator: Sanda, Jorgen Jorgensen
Item 17: English Translation: 27 June 1864 letter translated into English.
Item 18: Letter to mother, 15 July 1864: Creator: Sanda, Jorgen Jorgensen
Item 19: English Translation: 15 July 1864 letter translated into English.
Item 20: Letter to mother, 6 August 1864: Creator: Sanda, Jorgen Jorgensen
Item 21: English Translation: 6 August 1864 letter translated into English

Folder 4

Item 1: Widvey, Thomas J (Letter), 8 September 1861: English translation of a letter from Leiutenant Thomas J Widvey.; Originals or Copies Note: This is a photocopy of the translation. The existence, location, and copyright status of the original is unknown.; Translator: Norstog, Inga B.

Folder 5

Item 1: Cadwell, Luman L. (Letters), 1864: This collection of letters were written by Luman L Caldwell from February 5, 1864 - June 20, 1864. Unknown who typed the letters or when they were compiled.

Folder 6: Kopseng, Torsten Torstenson (Letters), 1863

Two letters originally written by Torsten Torstenson Koping. Unknown who typed or compiled the letters and if they had been translated.

Arrangement: Arranged chronologically

Folder 7: Civil War Diary of George J Hovden

Biographical/Historical Note: Guttorm (George) Johnson Hovden, originally from Sigdal, Norway, emigrated just before the Civil War. He enlisted in Col. Heg's Norwegian speaking regiment at Beloit, Wisconsin, in 1861 at age 25.

Item 1: Diary: Handwritten diary in Norwegian, documenting many battles and skirmishes.; Creator: Hovden, George J
Item 2: Transcription and Translation of Diary - Bound, 1971: A side-by-side, printed, bound transcription in Norwegian and translation in English of George J Hovden's diary.; Editor: Hovde, Oivind M; Translator: Jordahl, Norma Johnson
Item 3: Transcription and Translation of Diary - Loose Leaf Paper, 1971: Loose leaf manuscript of side-by-side transcription in Norwegian and translation in English of George J Hovden's diary.
Item 4: "Unique Civil War History Translation Given to Luther", 25 November 1971: Newspaper article written about the Civil War Diary and its translation into English. Article appears in the Decorah Journal, Volume 107, Number 47, Section 2, Page 1.; Originals or Copies Note: This is a photocopy of a published newspaper article. The existence, location, and copyright status of original is unknown.

Folder 8

Item 1: Froiseth, B A M (Letter), 22 March 1964: Handwritten letter from B A M Froiseth to George Charles Steen in the US General Hospital. Discusses author's meeting of Grant, presidential politics, and adressee's brothers re-enlisting in the army.; Creator: Froiseth, B A M

Folder 9: Translated Letters of Gulik Oleson and family, 1865-1866

Typewritten English translated letters between Gulik Oleson and his family and friends, in particular his wife Karen Johannes daughter (also referred to as Carolina Oleson, Kari Johannesdaughter, and Karen Johannesdaughter Dybing) and brothers Tomas Oleson and Gunnas (Jonnas) Oleson, from Coon Prairie. Also mentioned several times is Nils Elias Nielsen. Children named are: Gabriel Christ, Ole, and Elizabeth. Letters discuss money, the farm, and military campaigns. All letters translated by Oivind M Hovde, date unknown.

Translator: Hovde, Oivind M

Item 1: English Translation, 1 May 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Karen Johannes daughter to husband Gulik Olson.
Item 2: English Translation, 3 May 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Gulik to wife and children.
Item 3: English Translation, 14 May 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Karen Johannes to husband Gulik.
Item 4: English Translation, 25 May 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Gulik to wife and children.
Item 5: English Translation, 6 June 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Gulik to wife.
Item 6: English Translation, 22 June 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Gulik to wife and children.
Item 7: English Translation, 3 July 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Gulik to wife and children.
Item 8: English Translation, 9 July 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Karen to husband.
Item 9: English Translation, 15 July 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Gulik to wife and children.
Item 10: English Translation, 17 July 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Karen to husband.
Item 11: English Translation, 25 July 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Karen to husband.
Item 12: English Translation, 7 August 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Gulik to wife and children.
Item 13: English Translation, 7-Aug: Typewritten English translation of a letter from brother Tomas Olsen to Gulik.
Item 14: English Translation, 9 August 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Karen to husband.
Item 15: English Translation, 22 August 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Gulik to wife and children.
Item 16: English Translation, 23 August 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Karen to husband.
Item 17: English Translation, 25 September 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Karen to husband.
Item 18: English Translation, 10 October 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from brother Gunnas Olson Dybing (also referred to as Jonnas) to Gulik.
Item 19: English Translation, 16 October 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Gulik to wife and children.
Item 20: English Translation, 23 October 1865: Typewritten English translation of letters to Gulik from wife, H. Johanneson, and T. Knudson Kleven.; Note: A translator's note appears at the bottom of this page: "The original was so hard to read, Mr. Hovde copied the letter in Norwegian as best he could decipher it before translating the letter. The above is his reading of the original letter."
Item 21: English Translation, 28 November 1865: Typewritten English translation of letters from wife, father O. Olson, and friend T. Knudson.
Item 22: English Translation, 11 December 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Gulik to wife and children.
Item 23: English Translation, 31 December 1865: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Gulik to friend T. Knudson.
Item 24: English Translation, 2 January 1866: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Karen to husband.
Item 25: English Translation, n.d.: Typewritten English translation of a letter from Karen to husband.
Item 26: English Translation, 18 February 1866: Typewritten English translation of letters from Niels E. Nielson and Johannes Rasmussen.

Folder 10: Oleson, Gulik (Letters - Norwegian), 1865-1866

Original handwritten letters between Gulik Oleson and his family and friends, in particular his wife Karen Johannes daughter (also referred to as Carolina Oleson, Kari Johannesdaughter, and Karen Johannesdaughter Dybing) and brothers Tomas Oleson and Gunnas (Jonnas) Oleson, from Coon Prairie. Also mentioned several times is Nils Elias Nielsen. Children named are: Gabriel Christ, Ole, and Elizabeth. Letters discuss money, the farm, and military campaigns.

Related Material: See Folder 9 for typewritten translations in English.

Item 1: Letter to Gulik Olson, 1 May 1865: Creator: Johannes, Karen
Item 2: Letter to wife and children, 3 May 1865: Creator: Oleson, Gulik
Item 3: Letter to Gulik, 14 May 1865: Creator: Johannes, Karen
Item 4: Letter to wife and children, 25 May 1865: Creator: Oleson, Gulik
Item 5: Letter to wife, 6 June 1865: Creator: Oleson, Gulik
Item 6: Letter to wife and children, 22 June 1865: Creator: Oleson, Gulik
Item 7: Letter to wife and children, 3 July 1865: Creator: Oleson, Gulik
Item 8: Letter to husband, 9 July 1865: Creator: Johannes, Karen
Item 9: Letter from Gulik to wife and children., 15 July 1865: Creator: Oleson, Gulik
Item 10: Letter to husband, 17 July 1865: Creator: Johannes, Karen
Item 11: Letter to husband, 25 July 1865: Creator: Johannes, Karen
Item 12: Letter to wife and children, 7 August 1865: Creator: Oleson, Gulik
Item 13: Letter to Gulik, 7 August: Creator: Oleson, Tomas
Item 14: Letter to Gulik, 9 August 1865: Creator: Johannes, Karen
Item 15: Letter to wife and children, 22 August 1865: Creator: Oleson, Gulik
Item 16: Letter to husband, 23 August 1865: Creator: Johannes, Karen
Item 17: Letter to husband, 25 September 1865: Creator: Johannes, Karen
Item 18: Letter to Gulik, 10 October 1865: Creator: Dybing, Gunnas Olson
Item 19: Letter to wife and children., 16 October 1865: Creator: Oleson, Gulik
Item 20: Letters to Gulik, 23 October 1865: Creator: Johannes, Karen; Creator: Johanneson, H; Creator: Kleven, T Knudson
Item 21: Letters to Gulik, 28 November 1865: Creator: Johannes, Karen; Creator: Kleven, T Knudson; Creator: Olson, O
Item 22: Letter to wife and children, 11 December 1865: Creator: Oleson, Gulik
Item 23: Letter to T. Knudson, 31 December 1865: Creator: Oleson, Gulik
Item 24: Letter to husband., 2 January 1866: Creator: Johannes, Karen
Item 25: Letter from Karen to husband., undated: Creator: Johannes, Karen
Item 26: Letters to Gulik, 18 February 1866: Creator: Nielson, Niels; Creator: Rasmussen, Johannes

Folder 11: Wettleson, William O (Letters), 1864-1865, undated

Letters from William "Wettle" Wettleson to his parents.

Biographical/Historical Note: Wettleson also had a wife and child, but letters to them are not included. Wettleson was part of the 12th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and often mentions General Sherman.

Creator: Wettleson, William O

Note: Also goes by name "Wettle," which was his real name, but had taken William as his American name.

Translator: Norstog, Inga B.

Item 1: Letter to parents, undated
Item 2: English Translation for letter to parents, undated
Item 3: Letter to parents, 12 October 1864
Item 4: English Translation for letter dated 12 October 1864
Item 5: Letter to father and sisters, 27 November 1864
Item 6: English Translation for letter dated 27 November 1864
Item 7: Attachment to letter, January 1865
Item 8: English translation for attachment to letter dated January 1865
Item 9: Letter to parents and sisters, 3 January 1865
Item 10: English translation for letter dated 3 January 1865
Item 11: Letter to parents and sisters, 1 February 1865
Item 12: English translation for letter dated 1 February 1865
Item 13: Letter to parents and sisters, 19 February 1865
Item 14: English translation for letter dated 19 February 1865
Item 15: Letter to parents and sisters, 28 February 1865
Item 16: English translation for letter dated 28 February 1865
Item 17: Letter to parents and sisters, 13 March 1865
Item 18: English translation for letter dated 13 March 1865
Item 19: Letter to father, 15 March 1865
Item 20: English translation for letter dated 15 March 1865
Item 21: Letter to father, 26 March 1865
Item 22: English translation for letter dated 26 March 1865
Item 23: Letter to parents and sisters, 4 April 1865
Item 24: English translation for letter dated 4 April 1865
Item 25: Letter to parents, 20 April 1865
Item 26: English translation for letter dated 20 April 1865
Item 27: Letter to parents, 6 May 1865
Item 28: English translation for letter dated 6 May 1865
Item 29: Letter to parents, 9 May 1865
Item 30: English translation for letter dated 9 May 1865
Item 31: Fragment of letter, undated
Item 32: English Translation for fragment of letter, undated
Item 33: Letter to parents, 16 May 1865
Item 34: English translation for letter dated 16 May 1865
Item 35: Letter to parents and sisters, 23 May 1865
Item 36: English translation for letter dated 23 May 1865
Item 37: Letter to parents, 2 June 1865
Item 38: English translation for letter dated 2 June 1865
Item 39: Letter to parents and sisters, 20 June 1865
Item 40: English translation for letter dated 20 June 1865
Item 41: Letter to parents, 25 June 1865
Item 42: English translation for letter dated 25 June 1865
Item 43: Letter to parents, 4 July 1865

Folder 12: Levang, Ola M (Letter)

Item 1: Letter to Prestgaard, 9 February 1921: Creator: Levang, Ola M

Folder 13: Oleson, Gulik (Correspondence regarding donation), 1980-1981

Item 1: Correspondence, 1980-1981: Letters regarding the donation of Gulik Oleson letters to Luther College Archives. Correspondence between Luther College archivist, donor, and translator.

Folder 14: Inventories

Item 1: Inventories for Civil War collection at Luther and WCHS: Various inventory lists

Box 2: Confederate Currency

Folder 1

Item 1: Letter Regarding Donation of Confederate Currency, 26 September 1912: Letter from Sherman Allen, Assistant Secretary, in the Treasure Department in Washington, D.C., regarding the assortment of Conferate currency that they donated to Luther College.; Creator: Allen, Sherman

Folder 2

Item 1: $5 Confederate Note, 2 September 1861: $5 note, featuring portrait of Secretary of the Treasury C.G. Memminger and at the right side, Minerva. Serial No. 17539.

Folder 3

Item 1: $5 Confederate Note, 2 September 1861: $5 note, featuring Ceres seated on a bale of cotton. Serial No. 176103.

Folder 4

Item 1: $5 Confederate Note, 2 September 1861: $5 note, featuring Ceres seated on a bale of cotton. Serial No. unknown.

Folder 5

Item 1: $5 Confederate Note, 2 September 1861: $5 note, featuring sailor sitting near bales of cotton. Serial No. 22536.

Folder 6

Item 1: $10 Confederate Note, 2 September 1861: $10 note, featuring a Revolutionary War scene of General Francis Marion offering a dinner of sweet potatoes to Sir Banistree Tarleton, Minerva at right side. Serial No. 80323.

Folder 7

Item 1: $10 Confederate Note, 2 September 1861: $10 note, featuring at left, Ceres holding an urn, with Commerce seated at left. Serial no. 53900.

Folder 8

Item 1: $20 Confederate Note, 2 September 1861: $20 note, featuring Industry seated between Cupid and beehive. Serial No. 160204; Originals or Copies Note: Original

Folder 9

Item 1: $20 Confederate Note, 2 September 1861: $20 note, featuring Industry seated between Cupid and beehive. Serial No. 160204

Folder 10

Item 1: $1 Confederate Note, 2 June 1862: $1 note featuring Miss Liberty on the left, a sailing steamship, and a picture of Lucy Pickens, wife of South Carolina's governor on the right side. Serial No. unknown.

Folder 11

Item 1: $2 Confederate Note, 2 June 1862: $2 note featuring an allegorical representation of the South striking down the Union. Upper left picture is that of Judah P. Benjamin, Confederate cabinet member. Serial No. unknown.

Folder 12

Item 1: $2 Confederate Scrip from Barnard's Drug Store, 27 January 1862: $2 Confederate scrip, or substitute currency, issued with Holcomb signature. Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Folder 13

Item 1: $10 Confederate Note, 2 December 1862: $10 note featuring the State Capitol at Columbia, South Carolina and a picture of R. M. T. Hunter, member of the Confederate cabinet. Serial No. 2602.

Folder 14

Item 1: $20 Confederate Note, 2 December 1862: $20 note featuring the State Capitol at Nashville, Tennessee and a picture of Alexander Stephens, Confederate Vice-President. Serial No. 59312.

Folder 15

Item 1: $100 Confederate Note, 7 March 1862: $100 note featuring slaves weeding cotton with a red overprint "HUNDRED," Portrait of J C Calhoun on left and Columbia at right. Serial No. 25516. Printed by Keatringe and Ball, Columbia, South Carolina.

Folder 16

Item 1: $100 Confederate Note, 18 September 1862: $100 note featuring a steam train in the center and a woman with a basket on her head at left. Serial No. unknown. Printed by J T Patterson & Co. in Columbua, South Carolina.

Folder 17

Item 1: $5 Confederate Note, 6 April 1863: $5 note, featuring the state capitol of Virginia in Richmond. Right side of note has been burned. Serial No. 6935.

Folder 18

Item 1: $10 Confederate Note, 6 April 1863: $10 note, featuring the South Carolina State Capitol building along with portrait R. M. T. Hunter, Confederate cabinet member. Serial No. 34807.

Folder 19

Item 1: $10 Confederate Note, 6 April 1863: $10 note, featuring the South Carolina State Capitol building along with portrait R. M. T. Hunter, Confederate cabinet member. Serial No. unknown.

Folder 20

Item 1: $20 Confederate Note, 6 April 1863: $20 note, featuring the State Capitol at Nashville, Tennessee and a picture of Alexander Stephens, Confederate Vice-President. Serial No. 1459 ?

Folder 21

Item 1: 50 Cent Confederate Note, 17 February 1864: 50 cent note, featuring a bust of the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis. Serial No. 43315.

Folder 22

Item 1: $1 Confederate Note, 17 February 1864: $1 note, featuring the Confederate congressman from Alabama, Clement C. Clay. Serial No. 55719.

Folder 23

Item 1: $2 Confederate Note, 17 February 1864: $2 note, featuring Judah P. Benjamin, a member of the Confederate cabinet. Serial No. 82037.

Folder 24

Item 1: $5 Confederate Note, 17 February 1864: $5 note, featuring state capitol center in Richmond, Virginia, with Secretary of the Confederate Treasury C.G. Memminger at right side. Serial No. 37736.
Item 2: $5 Confederate Note, 17 February 1864: $5 note, featuring state capitol center in Richmond, Virginia, with Secretary of the Confederate Treasury C.G. Memminger at right side. Serial No. 16275.

Folder 25

Item 1: $10 Confederate Note, 17 February 1864: $10 note, featuring horses pulling cannons in center and Confederate cabinet member R.M.T. Hunter at lower right. Serial No. 80842.

Folder 26

Item 1: $10 Confederate Note, 17 February 1864: $10 note, featuring horses pulling cannons in center and Confederate cabinet member R.M.T. Hunter at lower right. Serial No. 65382.
Item 2: $10 Confederate Note, 17 February 1864: $10 note, featuring horses pulling cannons in center and Confederate cabinet member R.M.T. Hunter at lower right. Serial No. 33992.

Folder 27

Item 1: $20 Confederate Note, 17 February 1864: $20 note, featuring the state capitol at Nashville, Tennessee, with portrait of A. H. Stephens at right. Serial No. 49284.; Originals or Copies Note: Original; Other Information: English

Folder 28

Item 1: $50 Confederate Note, 17 February 1864: $50 note, featuring Confederate President Jefferson Davis in center Serial No. 13485.

Folder 29

Item 1: $100 Confederate Note, 17 February 1864: $100 note, featuring Lucy Pickens, the wife of the governor of South Carolina during the war, two soldiers on left side, and Confederate cabinet member George W. Randolph on the bottom right. Serial No. 43697

Folder 30

Item 1: $500 Confederate Note, 17 February 1864: $500 note, featuring Stonewall Jackson on right side, Confederate Calvary and flag on left side. Serial No. 34566.

Folder 31

Item 1: $1 Confederate Note - Alabama, 1 January 1863: $1 note, issued by the State of Alabama. Serial No. 94752.

Folder 32

Item 1: $1 Confederate Note - Missouri, n.d.: $1 note, uncirculated with no date or serial number, issued by the State of Missouri.

Folder 33

Item 1: 5 cent Confederate Note - North Carolina, 1 January 1866: 5 cent note, issued bythe State of North Carolina. Serial No. 2078 ?

Folder 34

Item 1: 50 Cent Confederate Note - North Carolina, 1 January 1870: 50 cent note, issued by the State of North Carolina. Serial No. not listed.

Folder 35

Item 1: $1 Confederate Note - North Carolina, 1 January 1863: $1 note, issued by the State of North Carolina. Serial No. 151.

Folder 36

Item 1: 25 cent Confederate Note - South Carolina, 1 February 1863: 25 cent note, issued by the State of Soutth Carolina. Serial No. not listed.

Sub-Series 2: World War I, 1916-1956

Materials relating to World War I, including letters, personal accounts, notifications, etc.

Box 1

Folder 1: Ellickson, George (Letters), 1917

Original letters from George Ellickson to his family in Decorah, Iowa, in 1917 coming from Camp Cody (Deming, New Mexico), Camp Dodge (Des Moines, Iowa), and Camp Merrit (New Jersey).

Creators:: Ellickson, George

Item 1: Letter to family, 2 February 1917
Item 2: Letter to family, 9 February 1917
Item 3: Letter to family, 22 July 1917
Item 4: Letter to family, 31 July 1917
Item 5: Letter to family, 1 August 1917
Item 6: Letter to family, 2 August 1917
Item 7: Letter to family, 4 August 1917
Item 8: Postcard to family, 11 August 1917
Item 9: Letter to family, 17 August 1917
Item 10: Letter to Harold E Ellickson, 28 August 1917
Item 11: Letter to family, 30 August 1917
Item 12: Postcard to family, 5 September 1917
Item 13: Letter to family, 6 September 1917
Item 14: Letter to Eli Ellickson, 17 September 1917
Item 15: Postcard to family, 28 September 1917
Item 16: Postcard to family, 29 September 1917
Item 17: Postcard to family, 30 September 1917
Item 18: Postcard to mother, 1 October 1917
Item 19: Letter to family, 2 October 1917
Item 20: Postcard to Peter Ellickson, 4 October 1917
Item 21: Postcard to Harold Ellickson, 6 October 1917
Item 22: Letter to family, 6 October 1917
Item 23: Letter to family, 11 October 1917
Item 24: Postcard to family, 12 October 1917
Item 25: Postcard to A E Ellickson, 14 October 1917
Item 26: Postcard to Harold Ellickson, 14 October 1917
Item 27: Postcard to Eli Ellickson, 14 October 1917
Item 28: Letter to family, 17 October 1917
Item 29: Postcard to Eli Ellickson, 22 October 1917
Item 30: Letter to father, 25 October 1917
Item 31: Letter to family, 26 October 1917
Item 32: Letter to Peter Ellickson, 28 October 1917
Item 33: Letter to family, 30 October 1917
Item 34: Postcard to family, 2 November 1917
Item 35: Letter to Peter Ellickson, 2 November 1917
Item 36: Letter to A E Ellickson, 3 November 1917
Item 37: Letter to family, 4 November 1917
Item 38: Letter to Eli Ellickson, 6 November 1917
Item 39: Postcard to family, 11 November 1917
Item 40: Letter to family, 11 November 1917
Item 41: Letter to family, 13 November 1917
Item 42: Letter to family, 16 November 1917
Item 43: Letter to friend Ragner, 17 November 1917
Item 44: Letter to family, 18 November 1917
Item 45: Letter to Harola Ellickson, 18 November 1917
Item 46: Letter to family, 20 November 1917
Item 47: Letter to Peter Ellickson, 24 November 1917
Item 48: Letter to family, 25 November 1917
Item 49: Letter to family, 26 November 1917
Item 50: Letter to family, 29 November 1917
Item 51: Letter to family, 1 December 1917

Folder 2: Ellickson, George (Letters), 1917-1918

Original letters from George Ellickson to his family in Decorah, Iowa, spanning 1917-1918 coming from Camp Cody (Deming, New Mexico), Camp Dodge (Des Moines, Iowa), and Camp Merrit (New Jersey).

Creators:: Ellickson, George

Item 1: Letter to family, 3 December 1917
Item 2: Letter to family, 5 December 1917
Item 3: Letter to family, 7 December 1917
Item 4: Letter to family, 8 December 1917
Item 5: Letter to family, 19 December 1917
Item 6: Letter to family, 13 December 1917
Item 7: Letter to family, 18 December 1917
Item 8: Letter to family, 20 December 1917
Item 9: Letter to family, 21 December 1917
Item 10: Letter to family, 22 December 1917
Item 11: Letter to family, 25 December 1917
Item 12: Letter to family, 26 December 1917
Item 13: Letter to family, 29 December 1917
Item 14: Letter to Lettie and Emick, 30 December 1917
Item 15: Letter to family, 1 January 1918
Item 16: Letter to family, 5 January 1918
Item 17: Letter to family, 9 January 1918
Item 18: Letter to family, 13 January 1918
Item 19: Letter to family, 18 January 1918
Item 20: Letter to family, 27 January 1918
Item 21: Letter to Lettie, 27 January 1918
Item 22: Letter to Gunder, 10 February 1918
Item 23: Letter to family, 25 February 1918
Item 24: Letter to family, 27 February 1918
Item 25: Letter to Emick and Lettie, 28 February 1918
Item 26: Letter to family, 6 March 1918
Item 27: Letter to family, 19 March 1918
Item 28: Letter to family, 28 March 1918
Item 29: Letter to family, 30 March 1918
Item 30: Letter to family, 4 April 1918
Item 31: Letter to family, 7 April 1918
Item 32: Letter to family, 14 April 1918
Item 33: Letter to family, April 1918
Item 34: Letter to family, 26 April 1918
Item 35: Letter to family, 17 May 1918
Item 36: Letter to family, 30 May 1918
Item 37: Postcard to family, 2 June 1918
Item 38: Letter to family, 3 June 1918
Item 39: Letter to A E Ellickson, 6 June 1918
Item 40: Letter to family, 9 June 1918
Item 41: Letter to family, 11 June 1918
Item 42: Postcard to family, 16 June 1918
Item 43: Postcard to family, 16 June 1918
Item 44: Letter to family, 20 June 1918
Item 45: Letter to family, 21 June 1918
Item 46: Letter to Mrs. Ashley Ellickson, 26 June 1918
Item 47: Letter to family, 28 June 1918
Item 48: Postcard to family, 29 June 1918

Folder 3: Ellickson, George (Letters), 1918-1919

Documentation consists of letters to friends and family, 1918-1919; telegrams; postcards to his mother; Christmas card to George; printed song of Camp Cody; song "Our Hitch in Hell;" leave permission slip.

Folder 4: Evans, Rudolph O (Letters and Newspaper Articles), 1918-1919

Letters in Norwegian and English from Rudolph O Evans in France to his cousin Olger C Ruen in Waukon, Iowa. Included are newspaper clippings, standard postcards sent that state that the soldier has arrived safely, postcards from the Alps and Vichy, and other letters written on American Expeditionary Force letterhead.

Biographical/Historical Note: American Expeditionary Force (AEF) was the name given to the U.S. Armed Forces who were sent to Europe for World War I.

Creator: Evans, Rudolph O

Item 1: Newspaper Clipping: "En aegte Biting", undated
Item 2: Newspaper Clipping: "Lugtede Krudt", undated
Item 3: Newspaper Clipping, "A message to Those Who Mourne", undated
Item 4: Postcard to Olger C Ruen, 2 July 1918
Item 5: Letter to Olger C Ruen, 8 September 1918
Item 6: Letter to Olger C Ruen, 1 December 1918
Item 7: Letter to Olger C Ruen, 24 March 1919
Item 8: Postcard to Olger C Ruen, 21 February 1919
Item 9: Postcard to Olger C Ruen, 10 April 1919
Item 10: Letter to Olger C Ruen, 10 April 1919
Item 11: Postcard to Olger C Ruen, undated
Item 12: Postcard to Olger C Ruen, undated

Folder 5: Garnoss, Ole (Letters)

Two letters in English from Ole Garnoss in France to his cousin Sander.

Creator: Garnoss, Ole

Item 1: Letter to Sander, 29 January 1919
Item 2: Letter to Sander, 17 April 1919

Folder 6: Moen, Ole Hilmen (Letters and Telegram), 1916-1918

Letters from 1916-1918 from Ole Hilmen Moen and the US Government to family members. Most of the letters to the entire family are in English, while letters addressed to his mother are nearly all in Norwegian. Some correspondence contains a mix of the two languages throughout the letters. Sent from various places, such as Camp Dodge (Des Moines, Iowa), Camp Pike (Arkansas), Camp Merritt (New Jersey), Fort Snelling (Minnesota), Fort Sheridan (Illinois), and France. He signs his letters "Hilmen".

Biographical/Historical Note: Brother's name is Bert Hilmen Moen. Father's name is Edward E Moen.

Creator: Moen, Ole Hilmen

Item 1: Letter to family, 30 August 1916: Letter mentions Gerhard Johnson, from Decorah, killed in action.
Item 2: Letter to family, 20 September 1917
Item 3: Letter to mother, 28 September 1917
Item 4: Letter to mother, 3 October 1917
Item 5: Letter to family, 23 October 1917
Item 6: Letter to family, November 1917
Item 7: Letter to family, 15 November 1917: This letter mentions: Carl Buer, Tomy Mor, Martin Williams, Carl Danielson, Stephen Bolsen, Ben Hill, Oscar Lovestuen, Gerhard Johnson, and "all the rest of the Decorah boys."
Item 8: Letter to family, 27 November 1917
Item 9: Letter to mother, 12 January 1918
Item 10: Letter to mother, 29 January 1918
Item 11: Letter to Bert Hilmen, 10 February 1918: Letter mentions: Ben Hill, Tedd Kirkesby, Albert Krogsun, Carl Danielson, and Melvin Loen.
Item 12: Letter to mother, 16 February 1918
Item 13: Letter to Bert Hilmen, March 1918
Item 14: Letter to unknown, 1 March 1918
Item 15: Letter to family, 10 March 1918
Item 16: Letter to mother, 2 April 1918
Item 17: Letter to mother, 7 April 1918
Item 18: Letter to mother, 16 April 1918
Item 19: Letter to mother, 27 April 1918
Item 20: Letter to mother, 11 May 1918
Item 21: Letter to family, 30 May 1918
Item 22: Letter to family, 3 June 1918
Item 23: Letter to family, 3 June 1918
Item 24: Letter to family, 11 June 1918
Item 25: Letter to family, 16 June 1918
Item 26: Letter to family, 23 July 1918
Item 27: Letter to family, 29 July 1918
Item 28: Letter to family, 15 October 1918
Item 29: Letter to family, 24 November 1918
Item 30: US Government Telegram to E. Moen, 2 December 1918: Creator: United States of America, War Department
Item 31: Letter to father, 5 December 1918
Item 32: Letter to family, 11 December 1918
Item 33: Letter to family, 13 December 1918

Folder 7: Moen, Ole Hilmen (Letters), 1919, undated

Letters mostly from 1919 from Ole Hilmen Moen and the US Government to family members. Most of the letters to the entire family are in English, while letters addressed to his mother are nearly all in Norwegian. Some correspondence contains a mix of the two languages throughout the letters. Sent from various places, such as Camp Dodge (Des Moines, Iowa), Camp Pike (Arkansas), Camp Merritt (New Jersey), Fort Snelling (Minnesota), Fort Sheridan (Illinois), and France. He signs his letters "Hilmen".

Biographical/Historical Note: Brother's name is Bert Hilmen Moen. Father's name is Edward E Moen.

Creator: Moen, Ole Hilmen

Item 1: Letter to family, 8 January 1919
Item 2: Letter to family, 27 February 1919
Item 3: US Government Postcard to E. Moen, 1 March 1919: Creator: United States of America, War Department
Item 4: Letter to mother, 5 March 1919
Item 5: Letter to family, 13 March 1919
Item 6: Letter to family, 22 March 1919
Item 7: Letter to family, 6 April 1919
Item 8: Letter to family, 19 April 1919
Item 9: Letter to family, 25 April 1919
Item 10: Letter to family, 10 May 1919
Item 11: Letter to family, 20 May 1919
Item 12: Letter to family, 28 May 1919
Item 13: Letter to family, 5 June 1919
Item 14: Letter to family, 17 June 1919
Item 15: Postcard to family, 13 June 1919
Item 16: Letter to family, 25 June 1919
Item 17: Letter to family, 1 July 1919
Item 18: Letter to family, 21 July 1919
Item 19: Letter to family, 24 July 1919
Item 20: Letter to family (Typewritten), 31 July 1919
Item 21: Letter to family, 5 August 1919
Item 22: US Government Postcard to E. Moen, 8 August 1919: Creator: United States of America, War Department
Item 23: Letter to Bert Hilmen, 1 August 1919
Item 24: Letter to family, 10 August 1919
Item 25: Letter to Bert Hilmen, 17 August 1919
Item 26: Letter to family, 29 August 1919
Item 27: Letter to family, 5 September 1919
Item 28: Letter to family, 8 September 1919
Item 29: Letter to family, 9 September 1919
Item 30: Letter to family (typewritten), 13 September 1919
Item 31: Letter to family, 19 September 1919
Item 32: Letter to family, October 1919
Item 33: Letter to Bert Hilmen, November 1919
Item 34: Letter fo family, 9 November 1919
Item 35: Letter to family, 18 November 1919
Item 36: Postcard to mother, 3 November 1919
Item 37: Letter to family, undated
Item 38: Letter to mother, undated
Item 39: Letter to family, undated
Item 40: Letter to family, undated
Item 41: Letter to family, undated: Letter describing his discharge and coming home.
Item 42: Letter to Bert Hilmen, undated
Item 43: Fragment of letter, undated
Item 44: Letter to Family, 29 March 1919

Folder 8: Students' Army Training Corps (SATC)

Related Material: See also RG18: 8 x 10 photographs of Students' Army Training Corps, 1918 and RG 15: Papers of Nelson, David T., scrapbooks and publications, 1914-1918.

Item 1: "Students' Army Training Corps at Luther College", 1918
Item 2: "S.A.T.C. at Luther College" letter, 21 September 1918

Folder 9: Harold Sunde Account of World War I, March 1956

Folder 10: Other memorabilia, letters, and clippings, 1918-1919

Item 1: Letter from Alfred Hendrickson to Dr. Knut Gjerset, 2 March: This letter describes item 2 in this folder. Gjerset was collecting World War I letters and Alfred Hendrickson sent item 2 to be included.
Item 2: Letter from Corporal E. J. Whitehead to Alfred Hendrickson, 22 May 1919
Item 3: Newspaper clipping naming people and ranks, undated
Item 4: Notification to register for draft, 26 August 1918

Folder 11: Scrapbook Clippings from Minneapolis Newspapers, 1917-1923

Folder 12: Photograph from August Korsund, 1918

Folder 13: Information On The Life Of Ole Hilmen Moen, 1916-1923

Folder 14: Translations of the Ole Moen Letters, 1914-1919

Sub-Series 3: World War II, 1944-1946

Materials relating to World War II, including Luther College Memorial programs, photographs of Luther College service men, and AP and Sovfoto photographs from Europe and the Pacific.

Related Material: See also RG15, Papers of Chellis Evenson.

Box 1

Folder 1: Special Commencement for Service Men, 1943

Item 1: Special Commencement Exercises for Service Men Program, 25 March 1943

Folder 2: Luther Memorial Plaque - Copy, 1918, 1945

Item 1: Luther Memorial Plaque, undated: Flyer with an image of the Luther College Memorial Plaque

Folder 3: Luther College Bulletin for Servicemen, 1945

Item 1: Luther College Bulletin for Servicemen, 1945: Creator: Luther College

Folder 4: VE Day Notice - Decorah, IA, Community Program of Thanksgiving at Luther, 1945

Item 1: V-E Day Event Flyer, 1945: Large flyer of V-E Day events, including a parade, community Thanksgiving, church services, and notification of stores closing, courtesy of the Decorah Chamber of Commerce.; Creator: Decorah Chamber of Commerce

Folder 5: Educational Programs for Veterans - Lutheran Colleges, 1945-1946

Item 1: "Educational Programs for Veterans offered by the Luther Colleges of America", 1945: Creator: The National Lutheran Council

Folder 6: Memorial Service - Luther College, 1945-1946

Item 1: Memorial Service - 1945, 13 May 1945
Item 2: Memorial Service - 1946, 31 March 1946

Folder 7: List and Photos of Luther Students Killed in WWII, ca. 1946

Item 1: Listing of Luther College Gold Stars, 1945: Listing of Luther College and area men who were killed in action.
Item 2: Cards with World War II Luther College Gold Stars, 1946: Cards with names of Luther College men who were killed in action. Includes the years they were at Luther.
Item 3: Photo of Almlie, Jofred, undated
Item 4: Photo of Bakken, Ira Odell, undated
Item 5: Photo of Baarstad, Clifford Raymond Theophil, undated
Item 6: Photo of Bickle, Junior, undated
Item 7: Photo of Boe, George Alton, undated
Item 8: Photo of Bolmgren, Donald A., undated
Item 9: Photo of Branae, Harold C., undated
Item 10: Photo of Danks, Olneyu Adelbert, undated
Item 11: Photo of Drew, James Seebach, undated
Item 12: Photo of Eberhart, Richard Thomas, undated
Item 13: Photo of Evjen, Norris Bernett, undated
Item 14: Photo of Gorder, Claremont Ferdinand, undated
Item 15: Photo of Haugrud, Harold Alexander, undated
Item 16: Photo of Ingegretson, Kenneth Leroy, undated
Item 17: Photo of Mace, Maurice Claud, undated
Item 18: Photo of Numedahl, Richard John, undated
Item 19: Photo of Opsvig, John Thomas, undated
Item 20: Photo of Stalland, Knute Preus, undated
Item 21: Photo of Sundahl, George Arnold, undated
Item 22: Photo of Symonds, Robert William, undated
Item 23: Photo of Torgerson, Sydney Marvin, undated
Item 24: Photo of Vail, Homer Wayne, undated
Item 25: Photo of Vold, Herman O., undated
Item 26: Photo of Waggoner, Paul Robert, undated
Item 27: Photo of Wilson, Oswald Richard, undated
Item 28: Photo of Wulfsberg, Rolf Olaf, undated

Folder 8: Scuttlebutt Papers, 1944-1945

Folder 9: Record of Military Service, n.d.

Folder 10: Correspondence, n.d.

Folder 11: War Department Pamphlet, 1945

Folder 12: Maps, n.d.

Item 1: "Luther College Goes to War: Scuttlebutt and the World War II Letters" Volume 1, Edited by Marvin G. Slind, 2008

Item 2: "Luther College Goes to War: Scuttlebutt and the World War II Letter" Volume 2, Edited by Marvin G. Slind, 2008

Box 2: World War II Photographs - Europe, 1944-1945, undated

Originals or Copies Note: These photographs are reproductions and the originals and rights do not belong to Luther College Archives.

Folder 1: AP Photographs - WWII, Europe, January - October 1944: Holds 21 AP, black and white photographs from World War II in Europe.; Creator: The Associated Press
Folder 2: AP Photographs - WWII, Europe, November - December 1944: Holds 23 AP, black and white photographs from World War II in Europe.; Creator: The Associated Press
Folder 3: AP Photographs - WWII, Europe, January - March 1945: Holds 49 AP, black and white photographs from World War II in Europe.; Creator: The Associated Press
Folder 4: AP Photographs - WWII, Europe, March - April 1945: Holds 45 AP, black and white photographs from World War II in Europe.; Creator: The Associated Press
Folder 5: AP Photographs - WWII, Europe, undated: Holds 5 AP, black and white photographs from World War II in Europe.; Creator: The Associated Press
Folder 6: Sovfoto - WWII, Europe, undated: Holds 37 Sovfoto, black and white photographs of the Soviet infantry from World War II in Europe.; Creator: SOVFOTO
Folder 7: Sovfoto - WWII, Europe, undated: Holds 32 Sovfoto, black and white photographs of the Soviet infantry from World War II in Europe.; Creator: SOVFOTO

Box 3: World War II Photographs - Pacific, 1944-1945, undated

Originals or Copies Note: These photographs are reproductions and the originals and rights do not belong to Luther College Archives.

Folder 1: AP Photographs - WWII, Pacific, February - December 1944: Holds 30 AP, black and white photographs from World War II in the Pacific.; Creator: The Associated Press
Folder 2: AP Photographs - WWII, Pacific, January - February 1945: Holds 38 AP, black and white photographs from World War II in the Pacific.; Creator: The Associated Press
Folder 3: AP Photographs - WWII, Pacific, February - April 1945: Holds 24 AP, black and white photographs from World War II in the Pacific.; Creator: The Associated Press
Folder 4: AP Photographs - WWII, Pacific, undated: Holds 4 AP, black and white photographs from World War II in the Pacific.; Creator: The Associated Press

Sub-Series 4: Vietnam War, 1970-1973

Box 1

Folder 1

Item 1: "They Prize Letter Written at Capture", 29 October 1970: Newspaper article from the Des Moines Register discussing Luther graduate Michael Kjome and his capture as a civilian during the Vietnam War.; Creator: Lamberto, Nick; Physical Description: 2 pages; Preferred Citation: Des Moines Register

Folder 2: Luther Students and Wartime Activities, 1971-1973

Newspaper articles, clippings, court records, and more about Luther students and war / anti-war activities.

Physical Description: 35 pieces

Item 1: "First Priority - end the war", undated: Creator: Muedeking, George H.
Item 2: Statement of District Judge George A Sulivan Jr., 6 May 1971
Item 3: A Celebration of pilgrimmage at Danbury Prison, 24 February 1972
Item 4: Indictment No. 14950, 1971-1972
Item 5: Phil Berrigan's "Opening Statement", 3 March 1972
Item 6: Hoover and the Berrigans, undated
Item 7: Statement of Purposes and Goals of the Defense Committee, undated
Item 8: Newspaper and Magazine Clippings, undated: Physical Description: 10 pieces

Browse by Sub-Series:

[Sub-Series 1: Civil War, 1861-1981],
[Sub-Series 2: World War I, 1916-1956],
[Sub-Series 3: World War II, 1944-1946],
[Sub-Series 4: Vietnam War, 1970-1973],
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