War Letters and Memorabilia, 1861-1972 | Luther College Archives
By Sasha Griffin
Collection Overview
Title: War Letters and Memorabilia, 1861-1972
ID: LCA/RG00/Series 8
Primary Creator: Luther College (Decorah, Iowa)
Extent: 2.0 Linear Feet. More info below.
Arrangement:
This series is organized into four sub-series:
1) Civil War (1861-1981)
2) World War I (1916-1956)
3) World War II (1944-1946)
4) Vietnam War (1970-1973)
Subjects: 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
Forms of Material: Correspondence, Photographs, World War, 1939-1945 - Photographs
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
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
- Folder 2: Halsten, Paal (Letter)
- 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
- Folder 5
- 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
- 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)
- Folder 13: Oleson, Gulik (Correspondence regarding donation), 1980-1981
- Folder 14: Inventories
- Box 2: Confederate Currency
- Folder 1
- Folder 2
- Folder 3
- Folder 4
- Folder 5
- Folder 6
- Folder 7
- Folder 8
- Folder 9
- Folder 10
- Folder 11
- Folder 12
- Folder 13
- Folder 14
- Folder 15
- Folder 16
- Folder 17
- Folder 18
- Folder 19
- Folder 20
- Folder 21
- Folder 22
- Folder 23
- 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
- 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
- Folder 28
- Folder 29
- Folder 30
- Folder 31
- Folder 32
- Folder 33
- Folder 34
- Folder 35
- Folder 36
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]