Papers of the Norwegian-born founder of the Brownsboro, Texas, settlement: a bound volume of twelve issues of "Norge og Amerika" and a copy of an article which appeared in "Morgenbladet" (July 11, 1884). Both items aim to treat conditions among Norwegians in America in such a manner as to arouse people of Norway to free themselves of non-democratic constraints.
Letters and other writings regarding Wilhelm and Elise Waerenskjold. A pastor's daughter, Elise lead a party emigrating to Texas between October 1846 and March 1847. The Waerenskjolds married in 1848, settling at Four Mile Prairie. Her letters and other writings serve as a primary source of information about the Norwegians who settled in Texas.
Correspondence, legal documents, clippings, pictures, and a biography concerning a Norwegian-American pathfinder. The papers include copies and transcripts of Peerson letters, an emigration paper, 1838 indenture, LaSalle Co.,; petition & private act for Telief (1855), and Texas warranty deeds which Peerson signed as a witness, a biography by Rasmus B. Anderson, an article by Theodore C. Blegen, and pamphlets concerning the Bishop Hill colony. Peerson, the founder of the first Norwegian settlements in New York, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri, spent his last years in Texas, and was buried there in Bosque County.
Papers relating to the history of the Anders L. Mordt Land Company, Guymon, Oklahoma. Mordt was a promoter of Oslo, a Norwegian settlement in Hansford County, Texas (Texas Panhandle) in the early 1900s. He advertised extensively in the Norwegian-American newspapers, urging settlers to buy land from him, and hoped to build a city, Oslo, which would compare with the Norwegian capital. The city was never built, but the area was populated by Norwegian Farmers who came from the Midwest, and who organized the Oslo Lutheran Church at Gruver, Texas.
Papers of a Norwegian-born farmer in Bosque County, Texas: articles, pictures, a letter, and a poem by Franklin Petersen. The articles by Olson give information on Texas pioneers: names, dates of arrival, house construction, farm operations, Cleng Peerson, and the Civil War. Other articles concern Gustaf W. Belfrage, a Swedish entomologist of Bosque County.
Catalogues of a Lutheran school founded at Clifton, Texas, in 1896 as the Lutheran College; later, Clifton College, Clifton Junior College. Closed fall 1953, merging with Texas Lutheran College. Its building was later used by the Bosque County Conservatory of Fine Arts and Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home (founded Feb. 8, 1954).
Catalogues and brochures of a junior college and academy at Seguin, Texas, with which Clifton Jr. College later merged. Includes Catalogues, and Brochures. Includes: Rules and Regulations for Ladies Hall.
Correspondence, articles, reports, drawings, diaries, log-books, notebooks, clippings, and pamphlets of a Norwegian-born machinist and engineer. The correspondence deals with such topics as problems in engineering, sea disasters, strikes and labor problems, drought, farm crops, recreation, and religion. In a letter dated September 29, 1890, Olsen describes his journey from Oslo to Laredo, Texas, via ship and rail. Most of the letters by Olsen are to his wife. The articles include biographies of members of Olsen's family and also treat Yukon gold rush experiences. One diary concerns his immigration journey to America. Olsen was a shop machinist in Laredo, Wilmington, Delaware, and Philadelphia; a machinist on English ships and in the American Revenue Cutter Services; and after 1900 an engineer with coastal trade steamship lines. He was a member of the Socialist Party.
Papers from a Norwegian-American faculty member at the Harris College of Nursing of Texas Christian University. "An American at home in Norway," an account of a brief journey made by Hogstel to the homes of her ancestors in Southern Norway (1976); Genealogical compilation for the families of Johan and Anna Bronstad and of Berger and Anna Rogstad (1975); "A Travel Letter from Texas, 1852" written from Four Mile Prairie by Johan Olsen Brunstad, translated by Alvon Nelson (1979).
Copy of a letter and a typescript translation of another, both from Four Mile Prairie, Texas, by a cobbler, describing geography, government, settlements, health, farming, Indians, church, and school. Also a 12-page typescript biography of Smeland by his great-granddaughter, Mildred Hogstel.
Kolstad Jewelers, 1853-1979, an illustrated booklet issued as a memento of the 125th anniversary of the oldest retail store in Texas. Members of the Kolstad family have operated this business for five generations and have been community leaders in Palestine, Texas. Includes photo reproductions that date to early 1880s.
A file consisting of letters, clippings, articles, news releases, etc. concerning Texans of Norwegian ancestry who have achieved distinction in various fields.