1954, Jan. - May 7

File — Box: 6, Folder: 4

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection: The S.A. Olsness Papers have been arranged into four series: Correspondence, Diaries, Financial records and Subject files. The Correspondence Series is arranged chronologically, and contains both incoming and outgoing letters mainly during his years as Insurance Commissioner. The most complete years are 1917 through 1935. There is some correspondence from relatives in Norway especially in the early and late years. None has been translated. The main body of correspondence deals with Mr. Olsness' insurance position and the Nonpartisan League. In the latter years, of note, is correspondence from William Lemke, Gerald P. Nye, World Peace Agency, Norman Thomas, and the Socialist Party. The Diaries Series covers mainly the latter half of Mr. Olsness' career. The 1897 diary is quite incomplete and includes various financial notes. The 1902-1903, 1907 diaries are from his two trips back to Norway and are a combination of Norwegian and English. The diaries beginning in 1925 are quite complete and are in English. They record daily events and have some financial notes. The Financial Records Series are very scattered and include some records of his brother Aslak and Uncle Sven Aslakson. Of note are two account ledgers of the store operated by Mr. Olsness and his uncle Aslak in Sheyenne for 1899 and 1900. The Subject Files Series contain a wide variety of information. Placed in oversize Mss 1596.9 is Olsness appointment by Governor Hanna to the Abraham Lincoln Statue Presentation Committee to represent the people of North Dakota at the presentation of the Lincoln statue at Christiania (Oslo), Norway in 1914. There is a five-page biographical sketch of Mr. Olsness from childhood to about 1907 and is quite complete. Although titled biography it appears to be autobiographical. There is a handwritten copy as well as typed copies in English and Norwegian. The biographies of Rauland, Vinje, Norway natives consists of several handwritten biographical sketches in Norwegian. The Lee Post Office location is near Aneta, N.D. The newspaper clippings are quite extensive especially Mr. Olsness' letters to the editor and about his career as Insurance Commissioner. The Nonpartisan League file contains miscellaneous receipts, including the League Exchange, 1922 platform, By-laws (1932) and a call for meeting. The Askak Olsness material includes obituaries and a funeral memorial book. There are various poetry clippings and writings including various poems of Mr. Olsness. His speeches which are quite extensive consist mainly of typed copies with several handwritten drafts. Also of note is the summons in which Mr. Olsness is named a defendant, and the Thorsen campaign material for governor.