Swenson, Oscar A., 1887 - 1951. Papers, 1913 - 1951

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: SMHC Collection 1251

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of items relating to Oscar Swenson, a member of both the Minnesota House of Representatives and State Senate. The collection is arranged chronologically by topic. Included in the collection are several of Swenson's speeches, photographs, campaign material, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and photocopies of some biographical information on Swenson. Also included in the collection is a 1977 oral history interview that was conducted with Eda Swenson John, Oscar Swenson's daughter. The cassette tape of this interview is stored separately, but both it and the transcript of the interview are available.

Dates

1913-1951

Biographical / Historical

Oscar A. Swenson, son of Swen Swenson, was bom on March 27, 1877, in Nicollet County. He was raised on the family farm near New Sweden Township, and became a lifelong farmer. Swenson married Bertha Marie Jenson of Bemadotte, Minnesota in 1900, in Mankato.

Swenson was active in local affairs, serving on the New Sweden Township board, as secretary of the New Sweden Creamery for 30 years, in the local chapter of the Farm Bureau, and as secretary of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Norseland. Swenson served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1913 until 1931. He was speaker of the House during the 1931 session. He lost his only political race in a 1932 campaign for railroad and warehouse commissioner. Swenson was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1937 and served there until his retirement due to illness in January 1951. Swenson died on June 20, 1951.

Extent

12.00 folders

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of papers belonging to Oscar A. Swenson, a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and state Senate from Nicollet County. Included in the collection are items relating to his time in office, which spanned from 1913 until 1951. Correspondence, several speeches, newspaper clippings, photographs, campaign material, and some biographical information are included in the collection. There is also an oral history interview conducted with Eda Swenson John, who is Oscar Swenson's daughter, in the collection. This interview was conducted in 1977, and focuses on her memories of her father.