John G. Halland Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 353

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The John Halland Papers are arranged into two series: Correspondence and Subject files. The Correspondence Series is arranged chronologically covering the period 1897 to 1919. It consists almost entirely of incoming letters and is reasonably complete for the years of 1899 to 1901. The early correspondence is related to his work as North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction and routine request. The later correspondence is from his family while Mr. Halland temporarily worked in Bismarck, and the last correspondence is from his son Herman who was attending the Naval Academy at Annapolis. Of note are various letters from UND president Webster Merrifield.

The Subject Files Series contain two report cards from son Walter from the Fargo schools 1911-1913, Mr. Halland’s National Geographic membership material, programs from the fifth annual banquet of Mjosenlag in Fargo (1924), Bjornson Day program at Mayville, North Dakota (1916) and Sons and Daughters of Norway 17th of May celebration at Minot, North Dakota (1937), financial statement of St. Mark’s English Evangelical Lutheran Church (1912), and monthly bills for February and March, 1912 of the Union Light, Heat, and power Company of Fargo.

Dates

1897-1919

Creator

Halland, John G., 1863-1938. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

The Institute does not own the copyrights.

Biography

John G. Halland was born November 26, 1863 at Trondheim, Norway. He came to the United States with his parents in 1865 settling at Northwood, Iowa. He attended the local school and Luther College at Decorah, Iowa from where he graduated in 1884. He attended Concordia Seminary at St. Louis, Missouri from 1884 to 1887 and later at Valparaiso University and the Chicago School of Psychology. For two years he taught German, Latin, and ancient history at Luther College. In 1889, he came to Portland, North Dakota to become the first president of the Bruflat Academy and Business Institute. In 1892 he was elected Traill County superintendent of Public Instruction and reelected in 1898. In 1900, he did not seek reelection.

From 1902 to 1910, Mr. Halland was professor of history and social sciences at the North Dakota Agricultural College. After that, he devoted himself to insurance, and real estate work as well as with the state and federal governments. In 1890, he married Lenore Biel of Portland. She was born October 2, 1864 in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany coming to the United States in 1869 with her father. Mr. and Mrs. Halland had four children; Agnes, John, Herman, and Walter. Mr. Halland was a member of Sons of Norway, Knights of Pythias, AOUW, and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of Fargo. Mr. Halland died at Coronado, California on January 13, 1938 and was buried at Northwood, Iowa. Mrs. Halland died on August 16, 1948 in Fargo.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (0.4 linear feet)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Halland, a Norwegian immigrant, was the North Dakota Superintendent of Instruction from 1896 to 1900 and a North Dakota State University history professor from 1902 to 1910.