The Papers of William Paul Sihler

The Papers of William Paul Sihler, 1887-1989 | Luther College Archives

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Collection Overview

Title: The Papers of William Paul Sihler, 1887-1989

ID: LCA/RG15/Sihler, W

Primary Creator: Sihler, William Paul (1865-1941)

Extent: 3.4 Linear Feet. More info below.

Languages: English, German

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Documentation consists of correspondence, 1904-1940; two Luther College photo albums; privately owned books; music by Sihler; journal "The Lutheran Herald," 1951; cassettes and tapes with notes; books by Sihler (fables for children, grammar books, buides for learning different languages); program; writings; miscellaneous articles (some in German); sales plan; certificate of membership; materials on Billy Sihler stories.

Biographical Note

William Paul Sihler was born Nov. 5, 1865 at Fort Wayne, Ind. Attended Concordia College, 1877-73; Concordia Seminary, 1883-86 (CT); Univ. of Wis., 1887-88 (MA); Johns Hopkins Univ., 1889-90. Teacher of parochial school, 1886-87; Dr. Sachs Collegiate Institute, 1888-89.

Sihler taught German at Luther College from 1890-1940. His experience playing professional baseball helped to promote the development of the game at Luther.

He married Amelia Schust on June 23, 1893. They had four children, including Margaret Sihler and Rev. E.W. Sihler. Died 1941.

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Sihler underviste i tysk på Luther College fra 1890 til 1940. Som tidligere profesjonell baseball spiller.

Administrative Information

Repository: Luther College Archives

Alternate Extent Statement: 4 boxes

Access Restrictions: This collection is open 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/library/copyright.

Preferred Citation: Cite unpublished materials: William Paul Sihler Papers, RG15 Manuscripts, Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa

Processing Information: The collection was reprocessed in April and May 2024 by Amelia Ramirez and Hayley Jackson.

Finding Aid Revision History:

5/16/24: HJ updated copyright policy link.

11/26/19: EC updated the preferred citation.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: 1899-1979],
[Box 4: Photos and Letters, 1890 - 1997],
[Series 1: Correspondence],
[Series 2: Billy Sihler Stories],
[Series 3: Publications],
[Series 4: Photographs and Scrapbooks],
[Series 5: Patents],
[Series 6: Music],
[Series 7: Biographical Material],
[All]

Box 1: 1899-1979

Folder 1: 2 Books. "Cotta'sche Bibliothek der Weltlitteratur: Schiller" and "Cotta'sche Bibliothek der Weltliteratur: Goethe", undated
Folder 2: Inventory Processing Sheets, 1979
Folder 3: Music, Publications, and Program, 1899-1955
Folder 4: "Fifty Fables for Children" by Wilhelm Hey, Translated by William Sihler and Two Booklets "Drikfaldighed", 1884, 1877, 1927
Folder 5: Photo Album and Snapshot Booklet, 1921
Folder 6: "Digte og Sange" by Wilhelm Fr. Koren, "The Latin Forms Through the Shortest Method" by William Sihler, "The German Noun Its Difficulties Simplified" by WIlliam Sihler, and Notes, 1890, 1930, 1905
Folder 7: Reel Cassettes, Box Cover Photocopies, Cassette Tape, and Notes on Cassette Tape, 1989
Folder 8: Correspondence, Certificate of Membership in the Chartered Institute of American Inventors, Shoveling Machine Patent, and Notes, 1935-1939
Folder 9: Correspondence, Booklet on Patent Law, Brochure, and material regarding Patents, 1900-1939
Folder 10: Patents, Patent Copies, and Envelopes, 1899-1936
Folder 11: 4 Luther College Homecoming Buttons, 1911,1948, 1951
Folder 12: Booklets on German, Latin, and Greek by WIlliam Sihler, 1896-1930
Folder 13: Articles Including Poetry, German Word Lists, and Notes, undated
Folder 14: German Grammar Books by William Sihler, 1903, 1914, 1931
Folder 15: Letters About Recognition Day, 1930
Folder 16: Correspondence to Margaret Sihler, 1915-1917
Folder 17: Correspondence to Margaret Sihler, 1918-1919
Folder 18: Correspondence to Margaret Sihler, 1920
Folder 19: Correspondence to Margaret Sihler, 1921
Folder 20: Correspondence to Margaret Sihler, 1922
Folder 21: Correspondence to Margaret Sihler, 1923
Folder 22: Correspondence to Margaret Sihler, 1926
Folder 23: Correspondence to Margaret Sihler, 1927
Folder 24: Correspondence to Margaret Sihler, 1928
Folder 25: Correspondence to Margaret Sihler, 1929, 1935
Folder 26: Correspondence to Mrs. William Sihler, 13 April 1904 - 1 December 1913
Folder 27: Family Letters, 15 January 1914- 31 October 1916
Folder 28: Family Letters, 27 January 1919- 10 October 1919

Box 4: Photos and Letters, 1890 - 1997

Folder 1: Photo Album, 1927
Folder 2: Sihler Lectures, 1996 - 1997
Folder 3: Family Photos, undated
Folder 4: Papers on Billy Sihler Stories, 1996 - 1997
Folder 5: House Photo and Interior Layout, 1916
Folder 6: Family Photos, 1920
Folder 7: Tributes to Professor Sihler, undated
Folder 8: Correspondence between Sihler and Amelia Schust: 1 of 2, Circa 1890
Folder 9: Correspondence between Sihler and Amelia Schust: 2 of 2, 1929 - 1931
Folder 10: Photo Album, undated
Folder 11: Small Luther College Dish, undated
Folder 12: Sheet Music, 1939

Series 1: Correspondence

Box 1: Sihler Correspondence, 1888-1935, n.d.

Folder 1: Courtship Correspondence: Amelia Schust, 1888
Folder 2: Courtship Correspondence: Amelia Schust, 1889-1890
Folder 3: Courtship Correspondence: Amelia Schust, 1891-1892
Folder 4: Correspondence to William and Amelia Sihler, 1892-1898
Folder 5: Correspondence to William and Amelia Sihler, 1899-1900
Folder 6: Correspondence to William and Amelia Sihler, 1901-1929, n.d.
Folder 7: Correspondence: Mrs. Amelia Sihler, 1904-1913: Acquisition Information: 21:24
Folder 8: Family Letters, 1914-1916: Acquisition Information: 21:25
Folder 9: Family Letters, 1917: Acquisition Information: 21:27
Folder 10: Family Letters, 1919: Acquisition Information: 21:26
Folder 11: Family Letters, 1921-1925: Acquisition Information: 21:28
Folder 12: Correspondence: Margaret Sihler, 1915-1917: Acquisition Information: 21:14
Folder 13: Correspondence: Margaret Sihler, 1918-1919: Acquisition Information: 21:15
Folder 14: Correspondence: Margaret Sihler, 1920: Acquisition Information: 21:16
Folder 15: Correspondence: Margaret Sihler, 1921: Acquisition Information: 21:17
Folder 16: Correspondence: Margaret Sihler, 1922: Acquisition Information: 21:18
Folder 17: Correspondence: Margaret Sihler, 1922-1923: Acquisition Information: 21:19
Folder 18: Correspondence: Margaret Sihler, 1926: Acquisition Information: 21:20
Folder 19: Correspondence: Margaret Sihler, 1927: Acquisition Information: 21:21
Folder 20: Correspondence: Margaret Sihler, 1928: Acquisition Information: 21:22
Folder 21: Correspondence: Maraget Sihler, 1929, 1935: Acquisition Information: 21:23
Folder 22: Letters about Recognition Day, 1930: Acquisition Information: 21:12
Folder 23: Letter from William Jennings Bryan, 1916: Acquisition Information: 21:1:1

Series 2: Billy Sihler Stories

Box 1: Related Correspondence, 1925-1993

Item 1: The Provocative Professor: The Billy Sihler Stories, 1992
Item 2: The Provactive Professor: The Billy Sihler Stories, 1992
Folder 1: Arrangement and Summary of the Billy Sihler Stories, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:30
Folder 2: 1. Casper Nervig, 1925: Acquisition Information: 21:31
Folder 3: 2. Arnold J. Alstad, 5 December 1975, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:32
Folder 4: 3. Rev. Jesse P. Knutsun, 1925: Acquisition Information: 21:33
Folder 5: 4. Owen L. Olsen, 1932: Acquisition Information: 21:34
Folder 6: 5. William A. Olsen, 1930: Acquisition Information: 21:35
Folder 7: 6. Rev. N. A. Berntson, 1929, 1975: Acquisition Information: 21:36
Folder 8: 7. Rev. Erling H. Peterson, 10 December 1975: Acquisition Information: 21:37
Folder 9: 8. Leif E. Evans, 1975: Acquisition Information: 21:38
Folder 10: 9. Ted E. Gilburson, 11 December 1975: Acquisition Information: 21:39
Folder 11: 10. Harold J. Amland, 1975, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:40
Folder 12: 11. Rev. V. S. Larsen, 1975: Acquisition Information: 21:41
Folder 13: 12. Dr. L. O. Swanson, 1975: Acquisition Information: 21:42
Folder 14: 13. Robert N. Snouffer, 1975: Acquisition Information: 21:43
Folder 15: Harland P. Nasvig, 1975: Acquisition Information: 21:44
Folder 16: 15. Elmer "Pete" Anderson, 1975: Acquisition Information: 21:45
Folder 17: 16. Sig Ole, 1975: Acquisition Information: 21:46
Folder 18: 17. Elmer L. Ulland, 1975: Acquisition Information: 21:47
Folder 19: 18. Elmer J. Rod, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:48
Folder 20: 19. Rev. Walter A. Olsen, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:49
Folder 21: 20. Rev. Pernie S. Pederson, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:50
Folder 22: 21. Guy Gilbertson, 1975: Acquisition Information: 21:51
Folder 23: 22. Rev. Martin T. Jenson, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:52
Folder 24: 23. Ernest Espelie, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:53
Folder 25: 24. Rev. Arthur J. Tolo, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:54
Folder 26: Everrett G. Ritland, 1976, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:55
Folder 27: Marvin N. Tatley, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:56
Folder 28: 27. Robert S. Jacobson, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:57
Folder 29: 28. Harriet Aspenson Norland, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:58
Folder 30: 29. Obert G. Olsen, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:59
Folder 31: 30. A. S. Peterson, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:60
Folder 32: 31. Rev. Gilbert Borreson, 1976, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:61
Folder 33: 32. James O. Holmlund, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:62
Folder 34: 33. Arthur P. Brenae, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:63
Folder 35: 34. George A. Hougen, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:64
Folder 36: 35. Oliver C. Sand, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:65
Folder 37: 36. Robert H. Lounsberry, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:66
Folder 38: 37. Ralph Tyler, 1976, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:67
Folder 39: 38. Frank R. Miller, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:68
Folder 40: 39. Milo E. Lee, 1976, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:69
Folder 41: 40. Mrs. Margaret (Hanson) Gulsvig, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:70
Folder 42: 41. Dr. M. Duane Sommerness, M.D., 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:71
Folder 43: 42. Naomi (Salverson) Bush, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:72
Folder 44: 43. Dr. E. J. Nordby, M.D., 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:73
Folder 45: 44. Helen (Hoff) Haatvedt, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21: 74
Folder 46: 45. Larry H. Shipp, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:75
Folder 47: 46. Herman A. Preus, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:76
Folder 48: 47. Art Olsen, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:77
Folder 49: 48. Rev. Harold C. Kumpf, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:78
Folder 50: 49. Walter V. Linde, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:79
Folder 51: 50. Rev. Christian Preus, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:80
Folder 52: 51. R. F. Sando, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:81
Folder 53: 52. Rev. Victor Fiskerbeck, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:82
Folder 54: 53. Rev. Ed Beaver, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:83
Folder 55: 54. Ted Gilberson, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:84
Folder 56: 55. Rev. Osmund G. Salveson, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:85
Folder 57: 56. Rev. Norvald R. Hjermstad, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:86
Folder 58: 57. B. H. Narveson, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:87
Folder 59: 58. Alvin R. Hesla, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:88
Folder 60: 59. Godtfred Bende, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:89
Folder 61: 60. Ernest Olsen, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:90
Folder 62: 61. Rev. Obert Rust, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:91
Folder 63: 62. Geo A. Amundsen, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:92
Folder 64: 63. Adolph L. Harstad, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:93
Folder 65: 64. Julius W. Opheim, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:94
Folder 66: 65. Dr. Lester H. Woldum, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:95
Folder 67: 66. Oscar E. Nybakken, 1976: Acquisition Information: 21:96
Folder 68: 67. Rev. Clifton M. Weihe, 1977: Acquisition Information: 21:97
Folder 69: 68. Herman Preus, 1977: Acquisition Information: 21:98
Folder 70: 69. Rev. Harold Aasen, 1977: Acquisition Information: 21:99
Folder 71: 70. Reuben B. Frost, 1977: Acquisition Information: 21:100
Folder 72: 71. Reuben I. Jacobson, 1977: Acquisition Information: 21:101
Folder 73: 72. Karsten Baalson, 1977: Acquisition Information: 21:102
Folder 74: 73. George Schade, 1977: Acquisition Information: 21:103
Folder 75: 74. K.E. Brunsdale, 1977: Acquisition Information: 21:104
Folder 76: 75. Clifton M. Weihe, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:105
Folder 77: 76. Dorcas Jacobson Wroldtad, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:106
Folder 78: 77. Adrian Docken, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:107
Folder 79: 78. (A) George Strum, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:108
Folder 80: 78. (B) Gerhard Naeseth, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:109
Folder 81: 79. Maurice Akre, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:110
Folder 82: 80. Charles B. McMasters, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:111
Folder 83: 81. Einer R. Larson, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:112
Folder 84: 82. Lucile M. Roberts, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:113
Folder 85: 83. Gunnar Malmin, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:114
Folder 86: 84. Kenneth L. Olsen, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:115
Folder 87: 85. Ruth (Furton) Shallert, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:116
Folder 88: 86. Harold J. Belgum, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:117
Folder 89: 87. Earl F. Voelz, 1979: Acquisition Information: 21:118
Folder 90: 88. Nick Renslo, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:119
Folder 91: 89. Earling S. Kaasa, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:120
Folder 92: 90. Morris A. Sorenson Sr., 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:121
Folder 93: 91. Cameron Pittoff, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:121
Folder 94: 92. Richard Rodsether, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:122
Folder 95: Linka Preus Johnson, 1978: Acquisition Information: 21:123
Folder 96: Letters from Casper B. Nervig, 1976, 1978, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:131
Folder 97: Short Stories and Correspondence, 1975-1977, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:127
Folder 98: Billy Sihler Sayings, 1985: Acquisition Information: 21:29
Folder 99: Short Stories and Correspondence, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:126
Folder 100: Short Stories, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:128
Folder 101: Short Stories, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:129
Folder 102: Correspondence, Newspaper Article, and Notes, 1930-1988: Acquisition Information: 21:124
Folder 103: Transcroptions, Cassette Tapes, Short Stories, and Correspondence, 1960-1978, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:125
Folder 104: Correspondence and Chips Article, 1992-1993
Folder 105: Papers of Billy Sihler Stories, 1992-1993
Folder 106: Photographs and Correspondence, 1992-1993
Folder 107: Tributes to Professor Sihler, n.d.

Box 2: Related Photographs, 1993, n.d.

Folder 1: Photos and Correspondence, 1993, n.d.

Series 3: Publications

Box 1: Collected Books and German Teaching Books, 1877 - 1931

Folder 1: "Digte og Sange" af Wilhelm Fr. Koren, 1890: Acquisition Information: 21:4:1
Folder 2: "Fifty Fables for Children" by Wilhelm Hey, 1927: Acquisition Information: 21:2:1
Folder 3: A German Drill Book: By a Shorthand Method, 1931: Acquisition Information: 21:11:1
Folder 4: "German for Two Years" and Notes, 1914
Folder 5: German for Two Years, 1914: Acquisition Information: 21:11:3
Folder 6: German: Forms and Words, 1903: Acquisition Information: 21:11:2
Folder 7: "The German Noun: Its Difficulties Simplified" and Notes, 1905, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:4:3, 21:4:4, 21:4:5, 21:4:7
Folder 8: The Greek Verb Graphically, 1899: Acquisition Information: 21:1:11
Folder 9: "Läre, Strasse og Loffeprädifen" by Dr. W Sihler, 1899: Acquisition Information: 21:2:3
Folder 10: Inventory Sheets

Box 2: German Teaching and Lutheran Books, 1878 - 1930

Folder 1: Latin Forms through the Shortest Method, 1930: Acquisition Information: 21:4:2, 252:2:4, 21:10:2
Folder 2: Methodismen: Gamtale mellem to Lutheranere, 1878: Acquisition Information: 21:130:1-31
Folder 3: Miscellaneous Articles, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:13:1-88
Folder 4: The Most Common Noun, 1902: Acquisition Information: 21:4:6
Folder 5: A New Method of Learning the Gender and Material for Exercises in German, 1896: Acquisition Information: 21:10:4
Folder 6: Something New for the Learning of Languages Applied to German, 1925: Acquisition Information: 21:10:5
Folder 7: Inventory Sheets

Series 4: Photographs and Scrapbooks

Box 1: Sihler Family Photographs, 1846 - 1993

Folder 1: Correspondence, Photograph, and Newspaper Clipping, 1846, 1909, 1954, 1993
Folder 2: Margaret Sihler Photographs, 1920
Folder 3: Family Photos, n.d.
Folder 4: House Photo and Interior Layout, 1916
Folder 5: Photograph of Sihler Pasted Inside Textbook, n.d.
Folder 6: Photograph of Sihler Pasted Inside Textbook, n.d.
Folder 7: Sihler Photographs, n.d.

Box 2: Snapshot Book, n.d.

Item 1: Snapshots of L.C., n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:3:1

Box 3: Photo Albums, 1921, n.d.

Item 1: Luther College Class of 1921, 1921: Acquisition Information: 21:3:2
Item 2: Luther College Snapshot Book, n.d.

Box 4: Photo Albums, 1900s, n.d.

Item 1: Sihler Family Snapshot Book, 1900s
Item 2: Sihler Family Photograph Book, n.d.

Series 5: Patents

Box 1: Related Paperwork and Correspondence, 1899 - 1939

Folder 1: Patents, 1899 - 1936: Acquisition Information: 21:8
Folder 2: Patent-Related Correspondence: Acquisition Information: 21:7
Folder 3: Correspondence with the Certified Institute of American Inventors, 1935 - 1939: Acquisition Information: 21:6

Series 6: Music

Box 1: Music Sheet, 1939 - 1941, n.d.

Folder 1: Alto Sheet Music, 1939
Folder 2: "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" Sheet Music, 1939: Acquisition Information: 21:1:7-8
Folder 3: Photographed Catalog Cards, n.d.
Folder 4: Prayer from Psalm XVII, n.d.: Acquisition Information: 21:1:5-6
Folder 5: "Soli Deo Gloria" Sheet Music, 1941: Acquisition Information: 21:1:2-4

Series 7: Biographical Material

Box 1: Published Papers Regarding Sihler, 1887 - 1955, n.d.

Folder 1: Lutheran Herald Youth Issue and Church Program, 1951, 1955: Acquisition Information: 21:1:9-10
Folder 2: Obituary, n.d.
Folder 3: Newspaper Clippings, 1887, n.d.