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Archival description
183 · Collection · 1970-1988

These oral histories were predominantly done in the 1970s with half conducted in 1973. Some date from the 1980s and early 1990s.  The majority of the interviews are with state legislators and the remaining are with mayors, city councilmen, campaign managers, party managers, widows of politicians, and US Congressmen.  All of the participants were men except three (who were widows) and represented Central Minnesota communities ranging from Sandstone to Brainerd to those locations just north of the Twin Cities.

With some variance, all participants were asked similar questions including personal and family history in Minnesota, early political interests and activities, committee assignments, sponsored bills, the campaign and election process, the legislative process, and their future plans in politics.  Unique questions were asked of individuals as the interview unfolded.  Certain political issues that were significant in the early 1970s are common topics including new party designation requirements, lengths of terms, legislator salaries, and the impact of Nixon’s landslide victory in 1972 on local elections.  The Watergate scandal is also discussed in several interviews.

Since the legislators’ service collectively goes back to 1935, the changes in the atmosphere, organization, and membership of the legislature are discussed in several oral histories.  Many of the interviews reference other participants in this oral history collection. For many, the interview often took place at the beginning or middle of their political careers.

Brief biographical sketches and interview notes are given for all participants.  Type of office, terms of service, and constituency represented are also listed.  Transcripts of interviews are available unless otherwise noted below.

Some interviews were actually transcribed. The typewritten transcripts were keyed into a Word document but have not been checked against the audio. Past experiences has suggested that the transcripts may not be complete. In the meantime, the transcripts are available here as PDFs.

Andrew A. Brown Papers
S-1803 · Collection · 1866-1938

This collection consists of three folders of papers of Andrew A. Brown. Brown lived in Douglas County and dealt in buying and selling land. There are numerous land grants and certificates. Also of interest are the correspondence from John Lind, who was a US congressman, a death certificate of Brown's wife, and a photograph of the family.

Brown, Andrew A.
George Alderink Papers
S-1823 · Collection · 1955-1972

The George Alderink Papers contain mainly correspondences of the Representative, government and legislative reports, and miscellaneous materials relating to Alderink. The majority of the items date between 1955 and 1958, during his time in elected office.

Alderink, George
Don Samuelson Papers
S-1836 · Collection · 1967-1974

The Don Samuelson Papers mainly contain correspondence, government reports and pamphlets, news releases, and the Representative’s documents from his time in office. Samuelson served in the Minnesota House of Representatves from 1969-1982 and in the Minnesota Senate from 1983-2002. The majority of the items date between 1968 and 1972. The collection consist of two series: Constituents Correspondence and Legislative Materials. In series 1, the correspondences between Samuelson and his constituents regarding an array of topics from abortion, gun control, and fluoridation legislation. In Series 2, the legislative materials from topics such as education, health, welfare, etc., concerning the Representative’s actions while elected.

Samuelson, Don
John T. Clawson Papers
S-1841 · Collection · 1960-1980

This collection consists of constituent correspondences and subject correspondences of various topics. The subject correspondences cover a wide range of political topics in which Clawson showed interest in during his time in office. Within the subject correspondences are a wide range of miscellaneous material such as press releases, meeting minutes, campaign materials, newsletters, invitations, newspaper clippings, speeches, memos, reports, and weekly schedules. The collection is divided into two series: Constituent Correspondence and Subjects of Interest.

Clawson, John T.
Jerald Anderson Papers
S-1842 · Collection · 1966-1977

The Jerald Anderson Papers mostly include material relating to the Minnesota Resource Commission, which Senator Anderson was chairman of. The commission's job was to evaluate programs that were proposed to preserve, develop, and maintain the natural resources of the state. The largest portion of the papers deal with education. This was due to the fact that Senator Anderson was chairman of the Subcommittee on School Finance and spend a great deal of his legislation time working with matters of education. The rest of the collection is made up of miscellaneous correspondence, reports, and newspaper clippings on a variety of subjects.

Anderson, Jerald
William Heuer Papers
S-1931 · Collection · 1954-1966

The Heuer Papers consist of constituent correspondence from 1957 to 1966 while serving as a Minnesota state senator. Also included here are correspondence and meeting minutes from the Todd County Committee for the Minesota Statehood Centennial, in which he served as chair.

Heuer, William
Glen Sherwood Papers
S-1947 · Collection · 1972-1980

The Sherwood Papers contain mainly correspondence, legislation materials, government pamphlets and reports, and newspaper clippings. The majority of the items date between 1972 and 1980. This collection is organized into two series, Constituent Correspondence and Legislative Subject Files. The constituent correspondence are the letters between Sherwood and the voting members within his district. The second series, Legislative subject files consists the topics of alcohol, drinking and driving, raising the drinking age, and fish sounder and finder legislation.

Sherwood, Glen
Alvin Patton Papers
S-1959 · Collection · 1974-1977

The Patton Papers contain mainly correspondence between the Representative and his constituents, government reports, newspaper clippings, and the minutes of the Committee on Local and Urban Affairs. The majority of these items date between 1974 and 1977. Some items of interest within the collection are: the Board of Regents 1975 Election, the Metrodome stadium Bill, and general information on the Metropolitan Stadium.

Patton, Alvin
Melvin Miller Papers
S-1986 · Collection · 1970-1974

The Melvin Miller Papers consist of 13 boxes. The majority of items in this collection date from 1970 to 1974. The collection includes personal correspondence to and from constituents, copies of materials relating to bills before the Minnesota Legislature from 1972 to 1974 concerning the committees he served on, personal interests, and the interests of his constituents. Also included are the election and campaign materials for his 1972 election and 1974 re-election.

Miller, Melvin