Harry Lashkowitz Papers, 1912-1963
Collection
Identifier: Mss 161
Scope and Content
The Harry Lashkowitz Papers span the years 1912, when Harry began his law practice, until his death in 1963. The collection is a good documentation of Harry's legal, political, and religious involvement in the community and on the national level. The collection is strongest from the mid-1930s to the mid-1940s. The legal files and records are the best organized. The correspondence, both legal and personal, is not well organized, although it is in a general chronological order. The Papers have been divided into four series: Legal, Political, Jewish, and Personal Correspondence. The bulk of the collection is found in the Legal Series.
The Legal Series has six subseries: Case Files, Large Files, Small Files, Levitz Legal Matters, General Legal Correspondence, and Financial Records.
The Case File Subseries consists of legal files from the year 1919 until 1955. These files are concerned with divorce, recovery of money, bankruptcy, criminals, accounts, foreclosures, estates, guardianships, and paternity cases. Within the files there are legal documents, evidence, correspondence, and personal notes concerning the cases. These files are very detailed and cover the legal life of many of Cass County's better known citizens, business people, and businesses as well as a representation of legal matters from the general population. The collection probably represents a typical case load for a lawyer on the 1920s through the 1950s in Fargo. The subseries is organized in the case number order which Harry set up. No index was available. The first party listed is who Harry Lashkowitz represented. The abbreviations in parentheses following the first party are D for defendant, P for Plaintiff and RE for Respondent. The second name is the other named party in the case. The abbreviation in parentheses at the end of each entry indicates the type of case. The abbreviations are: A (Agreement), AC (Accounts), B (Bankruptcy), C (Criminal), D (Divorce), E (Estate), EV (Eviction), F (Foreclosure), G (Guardianship), I (Personal injury), IN (Incorporation), M (Mortgage), P (Paternity), R (Breach of Contract), RM (Recovery of money), and W (Working file).
The Large File Subseries is a collection of legal documents and correspondence spanning the years 1913 to the mid-1930s. They document the early years of Harry's law practice and are organized in the original number system Harry created. For some of the file numbers the name of the case has been added in the box listing. The subseries is fairly detailed and includes some political correspondence and politically related litigation. Included is information on The Equity Cooperative and Packing Company, Scandinavian American Bank, the Nonpartisan League, Smith Robinson Club (1928), correspondence and notes concerning the Attorney General campaign of 1930 and the Cass County State’s Attorney Campaign of 1932, as well as correspondence and legal documents concerning many individuals and businesses. The original index is available. Some large files of interest include Scandinavian American Bank legal matters (file nos. 20, 21, & 24), N. Papermaster (50), Dave Naflatin (17, 29), Nonpartisan League (15, 39, & 40), Equity Cooperative and Packing Co. and various cases involving workmen's compensation.
The Small File Subseries consists primarily of legal information, correspondence, and documents from approximately 1918 to 1942. These files are incomplete because many of the files were destroyed by Mr. Lashkowitz. These files supplement the Case File Subseries. The original index is also available. Some small files of interest include Equity Cooperative and Packing Co., Minot Bottling Works, and Dave Naflatin matters.
The Levitz Legal Matters Subseries is a fairly complete collection of the Levitz family legal affairs. It includes information on the Levitz family estates (Mandel and Albert), Levitz family account and property management, and legal affairs of the Levitz family. The bulk of the collection covers the period 1928-1964.
The General Legal Correspondence Subseries consists of correspondence from 1915 through 1963, with 1935 until 1942 being complete. Some files of note are Green vs. Fraiser, Kindred Bank Matter (1932), USA vs. Langer et al, and Harry's stock investment portfolio correspondence.
The Financial Records Subseries consists of material from the beginning of Harry's law practice in 1912 until 1953. There are four main categories of records in this subseries: accounts ledgers (1912 to 1953), lawyers collection dockets, (1914 to 1918), daily journals (1914 to June 1916 and 1921-1950), and the dockets (1912 to 1930). There are original indexes available for the ledgers and dockets.
The Political Series consists of the Democratic Party, Governmental, and the Milton R. Young subseries. The Democratic Party Subseries consists of correspondence beginning with Harry's states attorney campaign in 1918 until the time of his death in 1963. The years 1928 through 1938 have a fairly complete run of correspondence. Some of the subjects of note in the files are Fargo, Cass County, and North Dakota Democratic party correspondence, membership lists, platforms, proxies, and meeting minutes (primarily from the 1932 and 1934 election years). Also, anti-Langer pamphlets, Roosevelt-Garner Club (1932), and pamphlets supporting Cap E. Miller for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in 1932.
The Governmental Subseries consists of general Federal correspondence, Indian Affairs correspondence and legal matters, Federal Emergency Relief Administration monthly summaries for Cass County, N.D. and material related to his position as Assistant District Attorney. This material is not complete, but the Federal Relief monthly summaries cover the period June, August-November 1934 and January-May, July-September 1935.
The Milton R. Young Subseries is material concerning Senator Young's voting record from 1947 to 1967, newspaper clippings concerning Young, information on the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962, and political pamphlets.
The Jewish Series covers Harry's involvement in local and national Jewish matters from 1924 until 1957. The material consists of legal work for Jewish organizations, fund drives for Zionist organizations, B’nai B’rith and Anti-Defamation League correspondence, and files on local Jewish projects and prominent local Jewish people. The most complete run of material concerns the B'nai B'rith General Committee (1930-1956) and the financial records and correspondence for the Fargo chapter of the Jewish Welfare Association (1927-1946). Other items of note is the Fargo Hebrew Congregation Articles of Incorporation (1902), an article written about Jewish settlement in North Dakota, plans for the Herbst Jewish Community Center in Fargo, and information on the immigration of German Jews in 1933.
The Personal Correspondence Series consists of a complete run of material from October 1934 to 1943 and 1951 to 1957. The correspondence is primarily letters to friends and associates, and on legal, political, professional, and religious topics. Specifically, the series also includes information on the Fargo Elks, remodeling contracts and plans for his home, and various speeches Harry made though out his life. Correspondents include Sam Stern, and James Farley as well as state and local political figures.
The Scrapbook Series contains five scrapbooks kept by the Lashkowitz family. The scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings, invitations, programs, and other ephemora from the B'nai B'rith, Elks Club, Boy Scouts, Democratic political activities, and Mr. Lashkowitz's law career. The final scrapbook was compiled by Harry Lashkowitz's daughter, Jane and cover the years 1923 to 1939.
The Legal Series has six subseries: Case Files, Large Files, Small Files, Levitz Legal Matters, General Legal Correspondence, and Financial Records.
The Case File Subseries consists of legal files from the year 1919 until 1955. These files are concerned with divorce, recovery of money, bankruptcy, criminals, accounts, foreclosures, estates, guardianships, and paternity cases. Within the files there are legal documents, evidence, correspondence, and personal notes concerning the cases. These files are very detailed and cover the legal life of many of Cass County's better known citizens, business people, and businesses as well as a representation of legal matters from the general population. The collection probably represents a typical case load for a lawyer on the 1920s through the 1950s in Fargo. The subseries is organized in the case number order which Harry set up. No index was available. The first party listed is who Harry Lashkowitz represented. The abbreviations in parentheses following the first party are D for defendant, P for Plaintiff and RE for Respondent. The second name is the other named party in the case. The abbreviation in parentheses at the end of each entry indicates the type of case. The abbreviations are: A (Agreement), AC (Accounts), B (Bankruptcy), C (Criminal), D (Divorce), E (Estate), EV (Eviction), F (Foreclosure), G (Guardianship), I (Personal injury), IN (Incorporation), M (Mortgage), P (Paternity), R (Breach of Contract), RM (Recovery of money), and W (Working file).
The Large File Subseries is a collection of legal documents and correspondence spanning the years 1913 to the mid-1930s. They document the early years of Harry's law practice and are organized in the original number system Harry created. For some of the file numbers the name of the case has been added in the box listing. The subseries is fairly detailed and includes some political correspondence and politically related litigation. Included is information on The Equity Cooperative and Packing Company, Scandinavian American Bank, the Nonpartisan League, Smith Robinson Club (1928), correspondence and notes concerning the Attorney General campaign of 1930 and the Cass County State’s Attorney Campaign of 1932, as well as correspondence and legal documents concerning many individuals and businesses. The original index is available. Some large files of interest include Scandinavian American Bank legal matters (file nos. 20, 21, & 24), N. Papermaster (50), Dave Naflatin (17, 29), Nonpartisan League (15, 39, & 40), Equity Cooperative and Packing Co. and various cases involving workmen's compensation.
The Small File Subseries consists primarily of legal information, correspondence, and documents from approximately 1918 to 1942. These files are incomplete because many of the files were destroyed by Mr. Lashkowitz. These files supplement the Case File Subseries. The original index is also available. Some small files of interest include Equity Cooperative and Packing Co., Minot Bottling Works, and Dave Naflatin matters.
The Levitz Legal Matters Subseries is a fairly complete collection of the Levitz family legal affairs. It includes information on the Levitz family estates (Mandel and Albert), Levitz family account and property management, and legal affairs of the Levitz family. The bulk of the collection covers the period 1928-1964.
The General Legal Correspondence Subseries consists of correspondence from 1915 through 1963, with 1935 until 1942 being complete. Some files of note are Green vs. Fraiser, Kindred Bank Matter (1932), USA vs. Langer et al, and Harry's stock investment portfolio correspondence.
The Financial Records Subseries consists of material from the beginning of Harry's law practice in 1912 until 1953. There are four main categories of records in this subseries: accounts ledgers (1912 to 1953), lawyers collection dockets, (1914 to 1918), daily journals (1914 to June 1916 and 1921-1950), and the dockets (1912 to 1930). There are original indexes available for the ledgers and dockets.
The Political Series consists of the Democratic Party, Governmental, and the Milton R. Young subseries. The Democratic Party Subseries consists of correspondence beginning with Harry's states attorney campaign in 1918 until the time of his death in 1963. The years 1928 through 1938 have a fairly complete run of correspondence. Some of the subjects of note in the files are Fargo, Cass County, and North Dakota Democratic party correspondence, membership lists, platforms, proxies, and meeting minutes (primarily from the 1932 and 1934 election years). Also, anti-Langer pamphlets, Roosevelt-Garner Club (1932), and pamphlets supporting Cap E. Miller for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in 1932.
The Governmental Subseries consists of general Federal correspondence, Indian Affairs correspondence and legal matters, Federal Emergency Relief Administration monthly summaries for Cass County, N.D. and material related to his position as Assistant District Attorney. This material is not complete, but the Federal Relief monthly summaries cover the period June, August-November 1934 and January-May, July-September 1935.
The Milton R. Young Subseries is material concerning Senator Young's voting record from 1947 to 1967, newspaper clippings concerning Young, information on the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962, and political pamphlets.
The Jewish Series covers Harry's involvement in local and national Jewish matters from 1924 until 1957. The material consists of legal work for Jewish organizations, fund drives for Zionist organizations, B’nai B’rith and Anti-Defamation League correspondence, and files on local Jewish projects and prominent local Jewish people. The most complete run of material concerns the B'nai B'rith General Committee (1930-1956) and the financial records and correspondence for the Fargo chapter of the Jewish Welfare Association (1927-1946). Other items of note is the Fargo Hebrew Congregation Articles of Incorporation (1902), an article written about Jewish settlement in North Dakota, plans for the Herbst Jewish Community Center in Fargo, and information on the immigration of German Jews in 1933.
The Personal Correspondence Series consists of a complete run of material from October 1934 to 1943 and 1951 to 1957. The correspondence is primarily letters to friends and associates, and on legal, political, professional, and religious topics. Specifically, the series also includes information on the Fargo Elks, remodeling contracts and plans for his home, and various speeches Harry made though out his life. Correspondents include Sam Stern, and James Farley as well as state and local political figures.
The Scrapbook Series contains five scrapbooks kept by the Lashkowitz family. The scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings, invitations, programs, and other ephemora from the B'nai B'rith, Elks Club, Boy Scouts, Democratic political activities, and Mr. Lashkowitz's law career. The final scrapbook was compiled by Harry Lashkowitz's daughter, Jane and cover the years 1923 to 1939.
Dates
- 1912-1963
Creator
- Lashkowitz, Harry, 1889-1963. (Person)
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Copyrights
The NDSu Archives owns the copyrights.
Extent
48.5 Linear Feet (48.5 linear feet)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Jewish immigrant from the Ukraine who became one of Fargo's most successful lawyers and most active community and Jewish leaders in the state. This collection provides a good example of a lawyer's case work.
Provenance
Donated by Shelley J. Lashkowitz, 1989 (Acc. 2244) and 2016 (2016-079irs).
Bibliography
Harry Lashkowitz was born in the city of Kamentz-Podolsk in the southern Ukraine on May 1, 1889, the son of Isadore and Bessie (Tullman) Lashkowitz. The family immigrated to the United States in 1896. Harry's father settled in New York City on the east side and established a modest butcher shop. In 1905 Isadore moved his family to Fargo, N.D. and continued as a butcher. Harry attended P.S. 20 in New York City as a youngster and he returned to New York from Fargo to attend secondary school at the City College of New York. In 1905 he advanced from the Academy to the Collegiate Department and received a B.A. of Law from New York University Brooklyn School of Law in 1912. While attending college Harry worked at the university settlement house, which he later claimed had a great affect on his life. Harry returned to Fargo in 1912 and worked under Judge A.T. Cole until he passed the North Dakota Bar Examination and began a private practice. He taught commercial law at the North Dakota Agricultural College from 1916 to 1917. As Harry's law practice grew he hired an associate, Leland J. Smith, in 1925 and they practiced together as Lashkowitz and Smith until 1939. In his law practice, Harry represented many people in the community in a variety of legal matters.
An early Progressive Republican and Nonpartisan League supporter and later a Roosevelt Democrat he was very involved in local and national politics. He ran for States Attorney in Cass County in 1918 (primary), 1926, and 1932 failing to win in all three races. He failed to win in 1930 the race for North Dakota Attorney General. He was appointed First Assistant United States Attorney under P.W. Lanier for District 1, State of North Dakota by President Franklin Roosevelt on September 1, 1933, a position he held until he resigned on October 1, 1953. Harry's final attempt at elected office took place in 1962 when he ran unsuccessfully for the judgeship of the First Judicial District. The highlight of Harry's political involvement was the seconding speech he made for Roosevelt at the 1936 Democratic convention which Damon Runyan acclaimed as one of the four best seconding speeches at the convention.
Harry was also deeply involved in local, national, and international Jewish matters. Locally, he was a member of the Fargo Hebrew Congregation and later the Temple Beth El. He was a member of Fargo's John Hay Lodge #634, and served as vice-president of the District Grand Lodge no. 6 of B'nai B'rith. In the Grand Lodge he served on the executive committee and in 1931 was elected president. Harry corresponded with many national leaders of B'nai B'rith and the Anti-Defamation League of the B'nai B'rith while serving on various committees. Some of the committees he served on were the Committee of Jewish Settlement in America, Allied Jewish Campaign (Chairman), Widerscope Committee, Jewish Relief Society (Secretary), and on the advisory committee for the Jewish Book Club. He was also involved with the Denver Jewish Hospital, Cleveland Orphans Home, Zionist Drives, and the Jewish Agricultural Society in legal and administrative matters. During the Jewish Tercentenary in the United States he served as chairman of the Fargo Committee. Harry authored articles about Jewish settlement in North Dakota and contributed an article about Jews in North Dakota to the Jewish Encyclopedia. Harry also was a founder of the North Dakota Public Relations Committee, co-chairman of the Conference of Christians and Jews, a member of the American Civil Liberties Union, and a member of the National Council on Civil Rights.
Harry was involved in local organizations. As a member of the Elks Lodge #260 he served as Exalted Ruler in 1930, Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler under Sam Stern from 1952 to 1953, and chairman of the North Dakota Elks Association American Committee. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. In 1934 Harry was president of the Fargo Central High School PTA.
Harry married Etta Levitz on June 17, 1917. Etta was born at Devils Lake, N.D. on August 3, 1893, the daughter of Mandel and Bessie Levitz, two early settlers in Ramsey County. Fire destroyed the Levitz farmstead and Etta moved with her parents to St. Paul and Sauk Center, Minn. before moving to Fargo in 1894. Harry and Etta had four children, Herschel I. (Apr. 2, 1918), Jane Deborah (Jan. 22, 1920), Loraine Rhea (1926), and Shelly James (1928). Harry died on June 28, 1963, Etta on August 22, 1971 and Jane on September 19, 1973. All are buried at Beth El Memorial Park in Fargo.
An early Progressive Republican and Nonpartisan League supporter and later a Roosevelt Democrat he was very involved in local and national politics. He ran for States Attorney in Cass County in 1918 (primary), 1926, and 1932 failing to win in all three races. He failed to win in 1930 the race for North Dakota Attorney General. He was appointed First Assistant United States Attorney under P.W. Lanier for District 1, State of North Dakota by President Franklin Roosevelt on September 1, 1933, a position he held until he resigned on October 1, 1953. Harry's final attempt at elected office took place in 1962 when he ran unsuccessfully for the judgeship of the First Judicial District. The highlight of Harry's political involvement was the seconding speech he made for Roosevelt at the 1936 Democratic convention which Damon Runyan acclaimed as one of the four best seconding speeches at the convention.
Harry was also deeply involved in local, national, and international Jewish matters. Locally, he was a member of the Fargo Hebrew Congregation and later the Temple Beth El. He was a member of Fargo's John Hay Lodge #634, and served as vice-president of the District Grand Lodge no. 6 of B'nai B'rith. In the Grand Lodge he served on the executive committee and in 1931 was elected president. Harry corresponded with many national leaders of B'nai B'rith and the Anti-Defamation League of the B'nai B'rith while serving on various committees. Some of the committees he served on were the Committee of Jewish Settlement in America, Allied Jewish Campaign (Chairman), Widerscope Committee, Jewish Relief Society (Secretary), and on the advisory committee for the Jewish Book Club. He was also involved with the Denver Jewish Hospital, Cleveland Orphans Home, Zionist Drives, and the Jewish Agricultural Society in legal and administrative matters. During the Jewish Tercentenary in the United States he served as chairman of the Fargo Committee. Harry authored articles about Jewish settlement in North Dakota and contributed an article about Jews in North Dakota to the Jewish Encyclopedia. Harry also was a founder of the North Dakota Public Relations Committee, co-chairman of the Conference of Christians and Jews, a member of the American Civil Liberties Union, and a member of the National Council on Civil Rights.
Harry was involved in local organizations. As a member of the Elks Lodge #260 he served as Exalted Ruler in 1930, Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler under Sam Stern from 1952 to 1953, and chairman of the North Dakota Elks Association American Committee. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. In 1934 Harry was president of the Fargo Central High School PTA.
Harry married Etta Levitz on June 17, 1917. Etta was born at Devils Lake, N.D. on August 3, 1893, the daughter of Mandel and Bessie Levitz, two early settlers in Ramsey County. Fire destroyed the Levitz farmstead and Etta moved with her parents to St. Paul and Sauk Center, Minn. before moving to Fargo in 1894. Harry and Etta had four children, Herschel I. (Apr. 2, 1918), Jane Deborah (Jan. 22, 1920), Loraine Rhea (1926), and Shelly James (1928). Harry died on June 28, 1963, Etta on August 22, 1971 and Jane on September 19, 1973. All are buried at Beth El Memorial Park in Fargo.
Property rights
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
- Actions and defenses -- North Dakota.
- Aleph Zadik Aleph.
- Antisemitism -- United States.
- B'nai B'rith. Anti-defamation League.
- B'nai B'rith. District Grand Lodge No. 6.
- Bankruptcy -- North Dakota.
- Beverage industry -- North Dakota.
- Cass County (N.D.) -- Politics and government.
- Charities -- North Dakota.
- Civil rights -- United States.
- Commodity exchanges -- North Dakota.
- County attorneys -- North Dakota.
- Criminal law -- North Dakota.
- Custody of children -- North Dakota.
- Decedents' estates -- North Dakota.
- Democratic Party (Cass County, N.D.)
- Democratic Party (Fargo, N.D.)
- Democratic Party (N.D.)
- Divorce -- North Dakota.
- Elections -- North Dakota.
- Equity Co-operative Packing Co. (West Fargo, N.D.)
- Equity Cooperative Exchange.
- Fargo (N.D.). Board of Education
- Fraternal organizations -- North Dakota.
- Fund raising -- North Dakota.
- Grain trade -- North Dakota.
- Guardian and ward -- North Dakota.
- Hospitals -- Colorado.
- Indians of North America -- Government relations.
- Indians of North America -- North Dakota.
- Investments -- North Dakota.
- Jewish Welfare Association (N.D.). Fargo Chapter.
- Jewish soldiers.
- Jewish youth -- Societies, etc
- Jewish youth -- United States
- Jews -- Migrations.
- Jews -- North Dakota.
- Jews -- Societies, etc.
- Jews -- United States.
- Jews, German.
- Langer, William, 1886-1959.
- Lashkowitz, Harry, 1889-1963.
- Lashkowitz, Herschel, 1918-1993.
- Legislators -- United States.
- Levitz family.
- Levitz, Albert, 1884-1939. -- : Estate.
- Levitz, Mandel, 1857-1931. -- : Estate.
- Meat industry and trade -- North Dakota.
- Minot Bottling Works.
- Naftalin, David M., 1873-1956.
- National Nonpartisan League.
- North Dakota -- Politics and government.
- Political parties -- North Dakota.
- Practice of law -- North Dakota.
- Public prosecutors -- North Dakota.
- Scandinavian-American Bank.
- School boards -- North Dakota.
- Smith, Leland J., 1897-1987.
- Synagogues -- North Dakota.
- Temple Beth El (Fargo, N.D.)
- Townley, A. C. (Arthur Charles), 1880-1959.
- Trials -- North Dakota.
- United States. District Attorney (North Dakota : Western District)
- Workers' compensation -- North Dakota.
- Zionism -- United States.
Creator
- Lashkowitz, Harry, 1889-1963. (Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Harry Lashkowitz Papers
- Description rules
- Appm
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu