The Papers of David Theodore Nelson

The Papers of David Theodore Nelson, 1722-1969 | Luther College Archives

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Collection Overview

Title: The Papers of David Theodore Nelson, 1722-1969

ID: LCA/RG15/Nelson, D

Primary Creator: Nelson, David Theodore (1891-1969)

Extent: 14.3 Linear Feet. More info below.

Arrangement:

This collection has been arranged into 12 series:

1) Biographical Files

2) Correspondence

3) Teaching Files

4) Scholarship

5) Service to College

6) Academic Service Files

7) Civic Service Files

8) Awards and Honors

9) Service to Church

10) Scrapbooks

11) Postcards

12) Realia

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Documentation consists of correspondence, 1914-1969; diaries; photographs; translation of Elisabeth Koren diary; materials on Hegge family (Ole Olsen Hegge) and family of Nils Hestetun, 1700’s-1800’s; materials on “Sognalag of America;” Nelson’s personal papers (including reference to or information on Andersen, Klocher, Even Fredriksen); certificates; awards; receipt book; will; biographical files; war ration cards, 1940’s; newspaper clippings; invitations; Luther College teaching files (Debate, Forensics); Luther College Chips poetry, 1884-1935; public speeches, 1925-1969; acting president files; committee papers, records; ‘Service to the College’ materials; Iowa Colleges Conference papers; Norwegian-American Historical Association papers; music; Oslo Summer School, 1947-1960; civic service files (Republican party, peace conference); church paper; scrapbook; articles.

Biographical Note

David Theodore Nelson, a member of the Luther College class of 1912, is probably best remembered for his book, Luther College 1861-1961, published during Luther’s centennial year. Before this, Nelson was a Rhodes Scholar. He went to Oxford in 1914 and went on to receive a B.A. degree there. From 1914-1915, he served in Herbert Hoover’s Commission for Relief in Belgium during World War I. Following this, Nelson served in the American Ambulance Service in France from 1915-1916. In 1922, he came to teach English at Luther College. He remained at Luther until 1963. In 1924 he married Esther Torrison. While at Luther, he emphasized the importance of long-range planning for the college. In general, Nelson thought student rules should be liberalized, although politically he was a conservative and became involved with the Republican Party. He made the motion to allow dancing at Luther, was involved in the decision to permit coeducation, and, along with Oivind Hovde, helped establish the senior paper requirement for graduation. He was the tennis coach at Luther from 1922-1933. He also established the Luther College Forensic Association, and was very involved with debate for several years. On August 1, 1962, Nelson was named acting president between the terms of Ylvisaker and Farwell, a position he served for just under a year. While president, it was decided that the new field house would be built “down the bluff,” rather than on the upper campus. The decision was controversial, but Nelson was a strong advocate of the location. Nelson translated the Diary of Elisabeth Koren, and collaborated efforts with Inga Norstog to translate Peer Stromme’s Halvor into English. Upon retirement he continued to live in Decorah. He was born in 1891 and died October. 9, 1969. This collection contains much of his personal correspondence and other documents related to Luther College.

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David Theodore Nelson var student på Luther College til 1912, og er sannsynligvis best kjent for sin bok, Luther College 1861-1961, som ble utgitt i 1961 i anledning Luthers hundreårs jubileum. Nelson hadde vært Rhodes Scholar. Han begynte som student på Oxford i 1914 og tok til slutt bachelor graden derfra. Under første verdenskrig, fra 1914 til 1915, tjenestegjorde han i Herbert Hoover’s Commission for Relief i Belgia. Deretter arbeidet Nelson i den amerikanske ambulansetjenesten i Franskrike fra 1915 til 1916. I 1922 kom han til Luther College og underviste i engelsk. Han ble ved Luther til 1963. I 1924 giftet han seg med Esther Torrison. På Luther vektla han hvor viktig langsiktig planlegging var for colleget. Generelt syns Nelson at studentreglene burde liberaliseres, selv om han var politisk konservativ og var engasjert i det republikanske parti et. Han gjorde dans lovlig på Luther, var involvert i diskusjonen om å innføre felles under visning for gutter og jenter, og sammen med Oivind Hovde hjelp han til med å innføre kravet om senior paper for å kunne oppnå bachelorgraden. Han var tennistrener ved Luther fra 1922 til 1933. Han etablerte også Luther College Forensic Association. 1. august 1962 ble Nelson fungerende president i perioden mellom Ylvisaker og Farwell, men var ikke president i mer en ett år. Mens han var president ble det bestemt at det nye idrettsbygget skulle bygges nede i dalen i stedet for på øvre del av skoleområdet. Avgjør el sen var kontroversiell, men Nelson var en sterk forkjemper for plasseringen. Nelson oversatte Elisabeth Korens dagbok, og samarbeidet med Inga Norstog for å oversette Peer Stromme’s Halvor til engelsk.

Administrative Information

Repository: Luther College Archives

Alternate Extent Statement: 41 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: David Theodore Nelson Papers, RG15 Manuscripts, Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa

Finding Aid Revision History:

8/21/24: HJ updated arrangement and added series descriptions from Shan Thomas' original finding aid.

6/15/24: Abby Bates updated copyright policy link.

11/22/19: EC updated the preferred citation.

Updated 6/5/2018 by Hayley Jackson to include arrangement of the European postcards in Box 38.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Biographical Files, 1722-1965],
[Series 2: Correspondence],
[Series 3: Teaching Files],
[Series 4: Scholarship],
[Series 5: Service to the College],
[Series 6: Academic Service Files, 1933-1968],
[Series 7: Civic Service Files],
[Series 8: Awards and Honors],
[Series 9: Service to the Church],
[Series 10: Scrapbooks],
[Series 11: Postcards-Europe],
[Series 12: Realia],
[All]

Series 1: Biographical Files, 1722-1965

Series 1 contains Biographical Files, dating from 1722-1989, with some undated material. It contains very early family documents such as deeds, wills, and receipts. It also includes information on Nelson’s family, newspaper clippings, travel diaries, and other personal papers.

Box 1: Nelson - Literary Society Membership, 1722-1965

Folder 1: Luther College Archives Finding Guide, undated
Folder 2: Deed to Torger Pedersen Heggen, 1722
Folder 3: Hegge Documents, 1722-1838
Folder 4: Promissary Note of Anders Andersen Klocker, 1726
Folder 5: Deed to Hegge Farm, 1727
Folder 6: Receipt for Anders Andersen Klocker, 1728
Folder 7: Deed to Hegge Farm, 1730
Folder 8: Receipt Book, 1731-1757
Folder 9: Petition for Last Will, 1821/1831
Folder 10: Last Will and Testament of Ole Olsen Hegge, 1832
Folder 11: Agreement Between Ole Hegge, Olin Nielsdatter, 1833
Folder 12: Smallpox Vaccination Certificate for Even Frederiksen, 1838
Folder 13: Family History of Nils Hestetun, 1964
Folder 14: Memoriums of David Th. and Wife, Ester, 1969, 1989
Folder 15: Misc. Notes -- Family and Local History, undated
Folder 16: Newspaper Articles about Family and Friends, 1936-1968
Folder 17: Non-Textual (Photographs), undated
Folder 18: Sognalog of America, 1958-65
Folder 19: Sognalog of America, 1960
Folder 20: Sognalog of America: Address Given to, 1965
Folder 21: Data on Residence at 409 High St., 1928-1967
Folder 22: Employee Salaries, 1960
Folder 23: Inauguration of Herbert Hoover, 1929
Folder 24: Mayville High School Momentos, 1903-1909
Folder 25: Literary Societies Membership, 1909-1913
Folder 26: Sheet Music, 1921-1953

Box 1a: I. Travel Diary - Rhodes Scholar Documents, 1911-1961

Folder 1: I. Travel Diary, 1916, 1917, 1936
Folder 2: War Ration/Miles Ration Cards, 1940's
Folder 3: Series 1: Word Game, undated
Folder 4: Biographical Files: Programs, 1929
Folder 5: Biographical Files: Misc., undated
Folder 6: Newspaper Clipping File, 1911-1961
Folder 7: Rhodes Scholar Documents, 1913-1921

Box 2: Halvor and Luther College, 1861-1961

Folder 1: Halvor Drawings, undated
Folder 2: Halvor- The Best Reproductions of Sketches, 1960
Folder 3: Halvor Correspondence, 1960-1961
Folder 4: Commemorating the One-Hundredth Anniversary of the College Program, 1961
Folder 5: William Peterson- State Historical- Correspondence, 1961
Folder 6: Luther College History- Augsburg Publishing House Correspondence, 1961
Folder 7: Luther College 1861-1961- Helen Katz Correspondence, 1960-1961
Folder 8: Palimpsest Article, 1961
Folder 9: Luther College 1861-1961 Correspondence, 1960-1961
Folder 10: Bibliographic Notes Specifications, 1961
Folder 11: Luther College 1861-1961 Table of Contents, Forward, and Other Materials, 1960-1961

Box 3: Luther College 1861-1961 Draft

Folder 1: Luther College 1861-1961 Draft Pages 1-255, undated
Folder 2: Luther College 1861-1961 Draft Pages 256-end, undated

Box 4: Helen Keller and Iowa, 1966

Series 2: Correspondence

Series 2 is made up of Correspondence from 1913-1968. Some correspondence in this series has no date. This is arranged both chronologically and alphabetically by sender.

Box 2: Correspondence and Invitations, 1914-1969

Folder 1: Letters and Correspondence of David Th. Nelson 1914-1919, 1914-1919
Folder 2: Correspondence, 1926-1929
Folder 3: Wedding Invitations and Announcements, Aug 1913- March 1965
Folder 4: Correspondence, 1924
Folder 5: Correspondence, 1920-1923
Folder 6: Correspondence, 1926-1969

Box 3: Correspondence and Invitations, 1931-1968

Folder 1: Correspondence, Aug.-Dec. 1939
Folder 2: Correspondence, Jan.-July 1939
Folder 3: Invitations and Announcements, 1938-1968
Folder 4: Correspondence, March-Dec. 1938
Folder 5: Correspondence, 1937
Folder 6: Correspondence, 1936
Folder 7: Correspondence, 1935
Folder 8: Correspondence, 1934
Folder 9: Correspondence, 1933
Folder 10: Correspondence, 1931-1932

Box 4: Correspondence, Death Announcements, Invitations, and Contribution Receipts, 1939-1964

Folder 1: Death Announcements, Funeral Programs, and Sympathy Thank-you Notes, Dec. 1942-Jan. 1964
Folder 2: Correspondence, Jan.-July 1942
Folder 3: Correspondence, Aug 1942- Dec. 1942
Folder 4: Correspondence, June-Jan. 1941-1942
Folder 5: Correspondence, Jan.-June 1941
Folder 6: Correspondence, May-Dec. 1940
Folder 7: Correspondence, June-April 1940
Folder 8: Contributions Receipts, Announcements, and Invitations- Luther College, 1939-1968
Folder 9: Correspondence, July-Dec. 1944
Folder 10: Correspondence, Jan.-Aug. 1944
Folder 11: Correspondence, Jan.-June 1944
Folder 12: Correspondence, Aug.-Dec. 1943
Folder 13: Correspondence, Jan.-July 1943

Box 5: Correspondence, 1945-1949

Folder 1: Correspondence, July-Dec. 1949
Folder 2: Correspondence, Jan.-June 1949
Folder 3: Correspondence, June-Dec. 1948
Folder 4: Correspondence, Jan.-May 1948
Folder 5: Correspondence, July-Jan. 1947-1948
Folder 6: Correspondence, Jan.-June 1947
Folder 7: Correspondence, June-Dec. 1946
Folder 8: Correspondence, Jan.-June 1946
Folder 9: Correspondence, July-Dec. 1945
Folder 10: Correspondence, Jan.-June 1945

Box 6: Correspondence, 1950-1955

Folder 1: Correspondence, 1955
Folder 2: Correspondence, June-Dec. 1954
Folder 3: Correspondence, Jan.-May 1954
Folder 4: Correspondence, Aug.-Dec. 1953
Folder 5: Correspondence, Jan.-July 1953
Folder 6: Correspondence, Aug.-Dec. 1952
Folder 7: Correspondence, Jan.-July 1952
Folder 8: Correspondence, Aug.-Dec. 1951
Folder 9: Correspondence, Jan.-July 1951
Folder 10: Correspondence, June-Dec. 1950
Folder 11: Correspondence, Jan.-May 1950

Box 7: Correspondence, 1956-1959

Folder 1: Correspondence, Jan.-June 1959
Folder 2: Correspondence, July-Dec. 1959
Folder 3: Correspondence, Aug.-Dec. 1958
Folder 4: Correspondence, Jan.-July 1958
Folder 5: Correspondence, Sept.-Dec. 1957
Folder 6: Correspondence, Jan.-Aug. 1957
Folder 7: Correspondence, July-Dec. 1956
Folder 8: Correspondence, April-June 1956
Folder 9: Correspondence, Feb.-March 1956
Folder 10: Correspondence, 1956

Box 8: Correspondence, 1960-1963

Folder 1: Correspondence, Nov.-Dec. 1961
Folder 2: Correspondence, July-Oct. 1961
Folder 3: Correspondence, June-Dec. 1961
Folder 4: Correspondence, Jan.-June 1961
Folder 5: Correspondence, 1960-1963
Folder 6: Correspondence, July-Dec. 1960
Folder 7: Correspondence, Jan.-June 1960
Folder 8: Correspondence, 1959-1960

Box 9: Correspondence, 1962-1963

Folder 1: Correspondence, 1962-1963
Folder 2: Correspondence, 1963
Folder 3: Correspondence, 1963
Folder 4: Correspondence, Oct.-Dec. 1963
Folder 5: Correspondence, May-Sept. 1963
Folder 6: Correspondence, Jan.-April 1963
Folder 7: Correspondence, Sept.-Dec. 1962
Folder 8: Correspondence, May-Sept. 1962
Folder 9: Correspondence, Jan.-April 1962

Box 10: Correspondence, 1964-1965

Folder 1: Correspondence, Aug.-Dec. 1965
Folder 2: Correspondence, Jan.-July 1965
Folder 3: Correspondence, Sept.-Dec. 1964
Folder 4: Correspondence, June-Sept. 1964
Folder 5: Correspondence, March-May 1964
Folder 6: Correspondence, Jan.-Feb. 1964

Box 11: Correspondence, 1966-1969

Folder 1: Correspondence, undated
Folder 2: Correspondence, Jan.-June 1966
Folder 3: Correspondence, Aug.-Dec. 1966
Folder 4: Correspondence, 1969
Folder 5: Correspondence, 1968
Folder 6: Correspondence, 1968
Folder 7: Correspondence, 1967
Folder 8: Norwegian-American Historical Association Correspondence, 1965-1967

Box 12: Correspondence, 1934-1967

Folder 1: Correspondence to/from Luther-Augustana, Aug.1959-Nov. 1960
Folder 2: Correspondence to/from Theodore Hoelty-Nickel, April 1934-Dec. 1946
Folder 3: Correspondence to/from Theodore Hoelty-Nickel, Feb. 1947-March 1959
Folder 4: Correspondence to/from Theodore Hoelty-Nickel, July 1960-April 1968
Folder 5: Correspondence to/from O.G. Landsverk, Dec. 1961-June 1969
Folder 6: Correspondence to/from Helen Thane Katz, Oct. 1954-Nov. 1967
Folder 7: Correspondence: Herbert Hoover Archives and Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, Aug. 1955-Aug. 1962
Folder 8: Correspondence to/from Lorraine Carlson, Fred Karlsborg, Jan. 1955-Jan. 1957

Box 13: Correspondence and Articles involving Jonas Oglaend, 1932-1969

Folder 1: Correspondence to/from Jonas Oglaend, Jan. 1966-Jan. 1965
Folder 2: Articles about jonas Oglaend, 1965
Folder 3: Correspondence to/from Jonas Oglaend, Jan. 1963-Dec. 1965
Folder 4: Correspondence to/from Jonas Oglaend, Feb. 1958-Dec. 1962
Folder 5: Correspondence to/from Jonas Oglaend, Jan. 1953-Dec. 1957
Folder 6: Correspondence to/from Jonas Oglaend, Jan. 1949-Dec. 1952
Folder 7: Correspondence to/from Jonas Oglaend, Feb. 1947-Dec. 1948
Folder 8: Correspondence to/from Jonas Oglaend, Feb. 1932-Dec.1946

Box 14: Correspondence, 1924-1968

Folder 1: Correspondence to/from Henry O. Talle, Aug. 1950-March 1958
Folder 2: Correspondence to/from Henry O. Talle, April 1949-Aug. 1950
Folder 3: Correspondence to/from Henry O. Talle, March 1944-March1945
Folder 4: Correspondence to/from Henry O. Talle, Aug. 1926-Nov. 1943
Folder 5: Correspondence to/from Anna Rutt, Feb. 1963-Aug. 1968
Folder 6: Correspondence to/from Jean Rolland, Sept. 1924-Dec. 1945
Folder 7: Correspondence to/from Jean Rolland, Jan. 1956-June 1968
Folder 8: Correspondence to/from Jean Rolland, Jan. 1946-Nov. 1955
Folder 9: Correspondence to/from Louis Olson, June 1952-July 1959

Box 14a: Correspondence with Family, 1914-1919

Folder 1: Correspondence with Family, 1914-1919
Folder 2: Correspondence with Family, 1914-1919

Series 3: Teaching Files

Nelson’s Teaching Files are located in Series 3. These include Debate/Forensics records and correspondence from 1924-1939, and some undated. Also contained in this series is College Chips poetry from 1884-1965, as well as poetry with no date.

Box 15: Forensic Files, 1924-1934

Folder 1: III Debate/Forensics Records of Correspondence, 1933-1934
Folder 2: Debate/Forensics Records of Correspondence, 1932
Folder 3: Debate/Forensics Records of Correspondence, 1931
Folder 4: III Debate/Forensics Records of Correspondence, 1930
Folder 5: III Debate/Forensics Records of Correspondence, 1929
Folder 6: III Debate/Forensics Records of Correspondence, 1928
Folder 7: III Debate/Forensics Records of Correspondence, 1927
Folder 8: III Debate/Forensics Records of Correspondence, 1926
Folder 9: III Debate/Forensics Records of Correspondence, 1924-1925

Box 16: Forensic Files, 1935-1939

Folder 1: III Debate/Forensics Misc. Records, undated
Folder 2: III Debate/Forensics Score Cards, undated
Folder 3: III Debate/Forensics Records of Correspondence, 1935-1939

Box 17: College Chips Poetry and Miscellaneous Teaching Notes, 1884-1935, 1938-1965

Folder 1: College Chips Poetry, 1884-1900
Folder 2: College Chips Poetry, 1884-1912
Folder 3: Luther College "Norse" Poetry in Chips, 1894-1898
Folder 4: College Chips Poetry, 1900-1918
Folder 5: College Chips Poetry, 1911
Folder 6: College Chips Poetry, 1912-1922
Folder 7: College Chips Poetry, 1919-1923
Folder 8: College Chips Poetry, 1928-1935
Folder 9: College Chips Poetry, 1929-1935
Folder 10: College Chips Awards, 1947-1948
Folder 11: The Research Paper: Instructions for Students, 1965
Folder 12: Misc. Teaching Notes, 1938-1965
Folder 13: The Research Paper: Instructions for Students, 1951

Series 4: Scholarship

Series 4 has material related to Scholarship. Public speeches delivered by Nelson can be found in this series, as well as materials related to his translation of the Diary of Elisabeth Koren. These are dated from 1918-1968, and many of the speeches are not dated. Correspondence, news clippings, photographs, and research materials used in the translation of the diary are from 1938-1967, with some undated material. In addition, there are two boxes of notecards Nelson used in writing Luther College 1861-1961. The categories he used to organize them are included in the box inventory attached. Other materials related to the writing of this book are in this series, as well as poems written by Nelson from 1918-1964, although many have no dates.

Box 18: Public Lectures, 1925-1969

Folder 1: Public Speeches, 1925-1947
Folder 2: Public Speeches, 1947-1969
Folder 3: Public Speeches, 1931-1962
Folder 4: Public Speeches, 19,361,939
Folder 5: Public Speeches, 1939-1946
Folder 6: Public Speeches, 1945-1948
Folder 7: Public Speeches, 1950-1965
Folder 8: Public Speeches, undated
Folder 9: Public Speeches, 1944
Folder 10: Public Speeches, 1937-1965
Folder 11: Public Speeches, 1928-1968
Folder 12: Public Speeches, 1941-1963
Folder 13: Public Speeches, 1918-1968

Box 19: Translation of the Koren Diary, undated

Item 1: Translation of the Koren Diary, undated

Box 20: Translation of the Koren Diary, 1938-1956

Folder 1: Translation of the Koren Diary, 1938-1954
Folder 2: Translation of the Koren Diary, undated
Folder 3: Letters to/from Marie Koren, 1953-1967
Folder 4: Translation of the Koren Diary Correspondence, 1954-1955
Folder 5: Translation of Koren Diary Correspondence, 1954-1955
Folder 6: Photographs for Translation of Koren Diary, 1955
Folder 7: Translation of Koren Diary Correspondence, 1956
Folder 8: Translation of Koren Diary Finance, 1954-1956
Folder 9: Translation of Koren Diary Correspondence, 1955-1956
Folder 10: Translation of Koren Diary News Clippings, 1956-1957
Folder 11: Translation of Koren Diary, 1955
Folder 12: History of the Koren Family, undated
Folder 13: Negatives for Translation of Koren Diary, 1955
Folder 14: Koren Diary- Book Reviews, 1956

Box 21: Luther College Notecards, 1861-1961

Item 1: Luther College Notecards, 1861-1961

Box 22: Luther College Notecards, 1861-1961

Item 1: Luther College Notecards, 1861-1961

Box 23: Luther College Writings, 1877-1881, 1944-1964

Folder 1: "At Luther College" (1877-1881) By A.A. Veblen, 1877-1881, 1959
Folder 2: Halvor, 1961
Folder 3: Luther College 1861-1961 Outlines, 1964
Folder 4: Luther College 1861-1961, undated
Folder 5: The Palimpest, 1961
Folder 6: "You Must Not Sleep" By Arnulf Overland, 1944-1945
Folder 7: Publishers- Luther College 1861-1961, 1959-1961
Folder 8: The Research Paper, Style Manual, 1954-1957
Folder 9: Scholarship Poems, 1918-1964
Folder 10: Poems-- Compiled By his Son for Family Gathering, undated
Folder 11: Misc., undated
Folder 12: Essay on Knut Gjerset, undated

Box 24: Halvor Papers, 1960-1961

Folder 1: Halvor Translator's Draft, undated
Folder 2: Halvor First Revision Pages 1 - 14, undated
Folder 3: Halvor Chapter Notes, undated
Folder 4: Halvor Original Discarded Copies, undated
Folder 5: Halvor Stromme's Notes on Life and Family, undated
Folder 6: Halvor Miscellaneous Pages Notes, 1960
Folder 7: Halvor Pages Discarded, undated
Folder 8: Halvor Omitted Chapters Six and Seven, undated
Folder 9: Halvor Correspondence, 1960-1961
Folder 10: Halvor Newspaper Clippings, 1961
Folder 11: Halvor Newsletters, 1961

Series 5: Service to the College

Series 5 relates to Nelson’s Service to the College. This includes New Main Cornerstone documents, material about the war memorial, committee records, and documents related to Nelson’s involvement with the Norwegian-American Museum. This series spans the dates 1935 to 1969, with some undated material.

Box 24: Acting President Files and Committee Records, 1935-1962

Folder 1: Acting President Files, May-June 1962
Folder 2: Acting President Files (Search for a New President), 1962
Folder 3: Acting President Files, Aug.-Dec. 1962
Folder 4: Acting President Files (1 of 2), 1962-1963
Folder 5: Acting President Files (2 of 2), 1962-1963
Folder 6: Acting President Files, Jan.-Aug. 1963
Folder 7: Annuity Committee Records, 1941-1961
Folder 8: Annuity Committee, 1962
Folder 9: Building Committee (Campus Planning), 1957-1958
Folder 10: Board of Trustees/Regents, 1958
Folder 11: Building Committee (New Main), 1953-1954
Folder 12: Centennial Committee Minutes, 1957-1958
Folder 13: Centennial Committee Minutes, Reports, 1959-1961
Folder 14: Draft of Articles of Luther College 1935-1936, 1935-1936
Folder 15: Committee on Curriculum and Scholarship, 1948
Folder 16: Diamond Jubilee Fund, 1935-37
Folder 17: Presidential Files, 1962

Box 25: Committee Records, 1934-1969

Folder 1: Emergency Appeal, 1942-1946
Folder 2: New Main Cornerstone Documents, 1951
Folder 3: War Memorial, 1947
Folder 4: Four College Committee, 1935
Folder 5: Fund-Raising Trip, undated
Folder 6: Faculty Affairs Committee Minutes, Reports, 1956-1958
Folder 7: Halfway Creek Historic Marker, 1961-1962
Folder 8: Music Committee, 1934-1936
Folder 9: Norwegian-American Museum, 1950-1965
Folder 10: Service to the College Programs, 1929-1964
Folder 11: Service to the College Misc. Committees, 1945-1956
Folder 12: Service to the College Correspondence, 1938-1962
Folder 13: Service to the College Misc., undated

Series 6: Academic Service Files, 1933-1968

Academic Service Files are in Series 6, and contain NAHA (Norweigan-American Historical Association) files from 1938 to 1965. Also in this series are materials from Oslo Summer School, the Community Concert Association, Winneshiek County Association of Mental Health, and Winneshiek County Physical Therapy Center. These date from 1933-1968.

Box 26: Iowa Colleges Conference on English, 1933-1961

Folder 1: Iowa Colleges Conference on English, 1933-1935
Folder 2: Iowa Colleges Conference on English, 1936
Folder 3: Iowa Colleges Conference on English, 1937-1940
Folder 4: Iowa Colleges Conference on English, 1941
Folder 5: Iowa Colleges Conference on English, 1942-1961

Box 27: Iowa Rhodes Scholarship Committee, 1925-1968

Folder 1: Iowa Rhodes Scholarship Committee, 1965-1968
Folder 2: Iowa Rhodes Scholarship Committee, 1925-1938
Folder 3: Iowa Rhodes Scholarship Committee, 1940-1946
Folder 4: Iowa Rhodes Scholarship Committee, 1947-1948
Folder 5: Iowa Rhodes Scholarship Committee, 1949-1951
Folder 6: Iowa Rhodes Scholarship Committee, 1952-1953
Folder 7: Iowa Rhodes Scholarship Committee, 1954
Folder 8: Iowa Rhodes Scholarship Committee, 1955-1958
Folder 9: Iowa Rhodes Scholarship Committee, 1958-1960
Folder 10: Iowa Rhodes Scholarship Committee, 1961-1962
Folder 11: Iowa Rhodes Scholarship Committee, 1963-1964
Folder 12: Iowa Rhodes Scholarship Committee Misc., undated

Box 28: N.A.H.A., 1938-1965

Folder 1: N.A.H.A., 1938-1939
Folder 2: N.A.H.A., 1940-1947
Folder 3: N.A.H.A., 1948-1951
Folder 4: N.A.H.A., 1956-1957
Folder 5: N.A.H.A., Jan.-May 1958
Folder 6: N.A.H.A., June-Nov. 1958
Folder 7: N.A.H.A., 1959-1960
Folder 8: N.A.H.A., 1961-1965
Folder 9: Norwegian-American Historical Association Treasurer Reports, 1963-1969
Folder 10: Norwegian-American Historical Association Meeting Minutes, 1965-1969
Folder 11: Norwegian-American Historical Association Pamphlets, undated

Box 29: ASF- Oslo Summer School, 1947-1968

Folder 1: Sheet Music, 1948
Folder 2: Oslo Summer School, 1947-1960

Series 7: Civic Service Files

Series 7 contains Civic Service Files. Included are materials from Nelson’s involvement in the military, such as the Commission for Relief in Belgium, as well as his involvement with the Republican Party. These files are from 1918-1969, with some undated material.

Box 30: Civic Service Files, 1933-1968

Folder 1: Community Concert Association, 1944-1965
Folder 2: Contributions, 1933-1968
Folder 3: Membership Cards, 1942-1961
Folder 4: Winneshiek County Association for Mental Health, 1956-1965
Folder 5: Winneshiek County Physical Therapy Center, Board of Directors (minutes, correspondence), 1961-1968

Box 31: Civic Service Files, 1934-1969

Folder 1: American Field Service, 1934-1969
Folder 2: American-Scandinavian Foundation, 1943-1969
Folder 3: American Legion, 1941-1963
Folder 4: Boy Scouts, 1941-1945
Folder 5: United Fund, 1964-1965
Folder 6: War Relief- WWII, 1940-1946
Folder 7: Civil Service WWII Pamphlets, 1945
Folder 8: Civil Service Decorah Development Co., 1963
Folder 9: Civil Service U.S. Civil Service Commission, 1950
Folder 10: Civil Service Programs, 1913, 1968

Box 32: Republican Party Files, 1948-1968

Folder 1: Republican Party, 1956-1968
Folder 2: Republican Party, 1955
Folder 3: Republican Party, Sept.-Dec. 1954
Folder 4: Republican Party, June-Aug. 1954
Folder 5: Republican Party, Jan.-May 1954
Folder 6: Republican Party, 1952-1953
Folder 7: Republican Party Journal, 1955-1956
Folder 8: Republican Party Local Candidates, 1948-1956
Folder 9: Republican Party Campaign Material, undated

Box 33: Commission for Relief in Belgium and Peace Conference Summaries, 1914-1965

Folder 1: Commission for Relief in Belgium, 1920-1949
Folder 2: Commission for Relief in Belgium, 1951-1965
Folder 3: Commission for Relief in Belgium, 1934-1965
Folder 4: Peace Conference Summaries, May-19
Folder 5: Peace Conference Summaries, Apr-19
Folder 6: Peace Conference Summaries, Mar-19
Folder 7: Peace Conference Summaries, Febuary 1919
Folder 8: Peace Conference Summaries, Dec. 1918-Jan. 1919
Folder 9: Letters from D. Nelson during WWI, published in newspaper, 1914-1915

Series 8: Awards and Honors

Awards and Honors received by Nelson are located in Series 8, including a Distinguished Service Award from his term as Acting President of Luther College. Material in the series dates from 1941-1962, and some with no dates.

Box 34: Awards and Honors, 1941, 1956-1957, 1961-1963

Folder 1: Distinguished Service Awards- Acting President, 1962
Folder 2: Certificates, 1941, 1957
Folder 3: St. Olaf College News Bureau announcement of D. Nelson's Doctorate of Literature, 3-Jun-56
Item 1: Thank you from faculty of Luther College for time served as interim president, 21-Mar-63
Item 2: Thank you from student body for time served as interim president, 7-Feb-63
Item 3: Thank you from Board of Regents for time served as interim president, undated
Item 4: Official Knighthood in the First Class of the Royal Order of St. Olav., 14-Sep-61
Item 5: Photograph of D. Nelson recieving the St. Olaf Medal, 1961
Folder 4: Obituary and Tributes, 1969

Series 9: Service to the Church

Series 9 includes materials related to Nelson’s Service to the Church. Files from First Lutheran Church in Decorah, Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, donations, and memorials are in this series. It spans the dates 1923 to 1961, with some undated material.

Box 35: Service to the Church, 1923-1961

Folder 1: Church Dedications, 1959-1961
Folder 2: First Lutheran Church, Decorah, 1948-1949
Folder 3: Lutheran College Faculties Conference Programs, 1943, 1956
Folder 4: Memorials, 1923-1958
Folder 5: Washington Prairie Lutheran Church Special Events, undated
Folder 6: Service to the Church Misc., 1945, 1957

Series 10: Scrapbooks

Sub-Series 1: Scrapbooks

Series 10 contains two scrapbooks belonging to Nelson. One of these has been dismantled and put in folders by page, with the photographs numbered on the back. The other has been left intact, with paper inserted between the pages for protection. Neither scrapbook has any dates, but some photographs can be estimated to be from World War I, as they are clearly from Nelson’s military service during that war.

Box 36: Scrapbooks, undated

Folder 1: Page 1, undated
Folder 2: Page 2, undated
Folder 3: Page 3, undated
Folder 4: Page 4, undated
Folder 5: Page 5, undated
Folder 6: Page 6, undated
Folder 7: Page 7, undated
Folder 8: Page 8, undated
Folder 9: Page 9, undated
Folder 10: Page 10, undated
Folder 11: Page 11 "New College Oxford", undated
Folder 12: Page 12, undated
Folder 13: Page 13, undated
Folder 14: Page 14, undated
Folder 15: Page 15, undated
Folder 16: Page 16, undated
Folder 17: Page 17, undated
Folder 18: Page 18, undated
Folder 19: Page 19, undated
Folder 20: Page 20, undated
Folder 21: Page 21, undated
Folder 22: Page 22, undated
Folder 23: Page 23, undated
Folder 24: Page 24, undated
Folder 25: Page 25, undated
Folder 26: Page 26, undated
Folder 27: Page 27, undated
Folder 28: Page 28, undated
Folder 29: Page 29, undated
Folder 30: Page 30, undated
Folder 31: Page 31, undated
Folder 32: Page 32, undated
Folder 33: Page 33, undated
Folder 34: Page 34 "Oxford", undated
Folder 35: Page 35, undated
Folder 36: Page 36, undated
Folder 37: Page 37, undated
Folder 38: Page 38, undated
Folder 39: Page 39, undated
Folder 40: Page 40, undated
Folder 41: Page 41, undated
Folder 42: Page 42, undated
Folder 43: Page 43, undated

Box 37: Scrapbooks, undated

Folder 1: Page 44, undated
Folder 2: Page 45, undated
Folder 3: Page 46, undated
Folder 4: Page 47, undated
Folder 5: Page 48, undated
Folder 6: Page 49, undated
Folder 7: Page 50, undated
Folder 8: Page 51, undated
Folder 9: Page 52, undated
Folder 10: Page 53, undated
Folder 11: WWI Scrapbook, undated

Series 11: Postcards-Europe

Sub-Series 1: Postcards-Europe

Box 38: Postcards-Europe, 1915-1920

The original order of these postcards is unknown; the current arrangement was devised by Archives staff.

Folder 1: President Wilson in Paris Group
Folder 2: Dublin Cards
Folder 3: Tournai Group
Folder 4: French Cathedrals
Folder 5: Dutch
Folder 6: Mixed French Group
Folder 7: Numbered Paris Group
Folder 8: Bruxelles Group
Folder 9: Mézières Group
Folder 10: Lille Group
Folder 11: Lt. Quentin Group
Folder 12: Charleroi Group
Folder 13: Tervueren Group
Folder 14: Liege Group
Folder 15: Destroyed Bridges
Folder 16: War Postcards
Folder 17: Anvers Group
Folder 18: Mixed French - Mainly Destroyed Buildings
Folder 19: Mixed German Cards

Box 39: World War I Materials, 1914-1920

Item 1: Scrapbooks, 1914-1920
Folder 1: Copies of Photos and Diary, undated
Item 2: Manifestation Georges Heupgen, undated
Folder 2: Interfile with Papers of David Th. Nelson, 1949, 20 December 1954
Item 3: Manifestation Herbert Hoover, 5-Jul-58

Series 12: Realia

Box 1: Realia, 1921-1964

Item 1: Autograph Party Stuffed Dog, 15 February 1956
Item 2: Newspaper and Magazine Clippings, 1946-1961
Item 3: Issue of the Palimpsest, Personal Quotations Booklet, and Wedding Announcement, 1961
Item 4: The Order of St. Olav, Knight of the First Order Photograph, 13 October 1961
Item 5: American Legion Cap, undated
Item 6: Norwegian Flag, undated
Item 7: Academic Regalia, undated
Item 8: Academic Regalia from St. Olaf College, undated
Item 9: Dress Shirt Neckties, undated
Item 10: Alumni 50th Anniversary Button, undated
Item 11: Army Insignia, undated
Item 12: Luther College President's Associates Certificate, 24 June 1964
Item 13: I. B. Torrison Sketch by Ivan Doseff, 1921-1923
Item 14: Framed Sketch of "The British Working Man", undated
Item 15: Framed Untitled Sketch of a Man, undated
Item 16: Framed Service Award from the Twin Cities Alumni of Luther College, 28 February 1964
Item 17: Framed Doctorate Degree from St. Olaf College and Award Letter, 3 June 1956
Item 18: Framed Portrait of David Theodore Nelson, undated
Item 19: American Heritage Book, April 1961