Skip to main content

Lewis, Elvina. Collection, 1905 - 1963

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: SMHC Collection 0174

Scope and Contents

This collection contains items dealing with the history of Medo Township and Pemberton, Minnesota. Much of the collection consists of copies of materials in the possession of the Elvina Lewis family, of Mapleton. A large portion of the collection consists of newspaper clippings about life in Pemberton, or people who grew up in Pemberton.

Included in the collection is a photocopy of a scrapbook assembled by Mrs. Ruth Severson, who was Elvina Lewis' mother. The scrapbook contains newspaper clippings about people from the Pemberton area, and encompasses the years from 1940 - 1963. Included in these items are obituaries for residents killed in World War I and Korea, engagement and wedding announcements and photos, and other community news.

Two separate newspaper clippings are also included in the collection. One is from the St. Paul Dispatch of 1930, and contains information about a plane that crashed through the roof of the Pemberton school. The other is from the Mapleton Enterprise, and is an account of an interview with a Mr. Akerman, a Blue Earth County Commissioner, who discussed events that occurred early in the history of Medo Township.

Two unpublished works are also included in the collection. One is titled "The Michael Lewis Family", and deals with their movement from Medo Township to Richwood Township, Becker County, in 1901. The other is entitled "The History of Pemberton and Surrounding Area", and was compiled by the 12th grade Social Studies class at Pemberton High in 1952. It contains information on the history of Pemberton, Alma City, and Medo Township, and also describes the levels of government. A list of graduates of Pemberton High School from 1922 through 1952 is also included.

The one item in this collection that is not a photocopy is the six page typewritten text entitled "75th Anniversary Medo Norwegian Lutheran Church". This typescript covers the time from 1868 - 1943. This narrative is based on the memories of the oldest living members, since an 1879 tornado had destroyed the original building and all its records. This work contains a chronological history of the church, and contains a list of the men who served as pastor there.

Dates

  • 1905-1963

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on use of this collection for research purposes. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property and libel laws as they apply.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on use of this collection for research purposes. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property and libel laws as they apply.

Extent

0.25 Cubic Feet (2 Folders)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection is made up of mostly photocopies of items that belonged to Mrs. Elvina Lewis, of Mapleton. Her family was among the first to settle in Medo Township, and most of this collection deals with the history of Medo Township and Pemberton, Minnesota. Among the items included in the collection are: a scrapbook of newspaper clippings about people from the Pemberton area (assembled by Mrs. Ruth Severson, Mrs. Lewis' mother), unpublished items about the history of Pemberton and of the Lewis family, newspaper clippings about events in Pemberton's past, and a typewritten history of the Medo Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Mrs. Elvina Lewis donated this collection in March 1976.

Title
SMHC Collection 0174. Lewis, Elvina. Collection, 1905 - 1963.
Status
Completed
Date
1977-01
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Revision Statements

  • 2000-09: Finding aid revised by Robert Russell
  • 2015-09: Mee Xiong updated the finding aid

Repository Details

Part of the Southern Minnesota Historical Center Repository

Contact:
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Memorial Library
PO Box 8419
Mankato MN 56002-8419 US
507-389-1029