The Papers of Alfred O. Halvorson, 1904-2013 | Luther College Archives

By Hayley Jackson

Printer-friendly |

Collection Overview

Title: The Papers of Alfred O. Halvorson, 1904-2013

ID: LCA/RG15/Halvorson, A

Primary 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.

Collection Historical 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 Preparatory 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.

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

Repository: Luther College Archives

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/library/copyright

Preferred Citation: Cite unpublished materials: Alfred O. Halvorson Papers, RG15 Manuscripts, Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa

Finding Aid Revision History:

6/10/24: Abby Bates updated copyright policy link.

11/18/19: EC updated the preferred citation.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Papers of Alfred O. Halvorson, 1904-2013, n.d.],
[Box 2: Military Honors, 1918-1936],
[All]

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.

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Papers of Alfred O. Halvorson, 1904-2013, n.d.],
[Box 2: Military Honors, 1918-1936],
[All]