Erdahl, Arlen Inglof, 1931 - . Collection, 1963 - 1970

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: SMHC Collection 0146

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection has been divided into three series: Correspondence, 1963 – 1970, Congressional Records, 1963 – 1970, and Miscellaneous, 1963 – 1969.

Congressional, 1963 – 1970

These documents contain letters to and from Erdahl to his constituents in Faribault County and other residents of Minnesota. These documents comprise the majority of this collection and cover a variety of topics ranging from abortion to daylight savings time.

Congressional Records, 1963 – 1970

The congressional records pertain to Erdahl’s activities within the House of Representatives. Some of the bills Erdahl wrote and sponsored are in this series.

Miscellaneous, 1963 – 1970

This series contains a diverse variety of information. For instance, while working under a grant from the Bush Leaders Fellowship at Harvard University, Erdahl conducted a research project into the Non-Partisan Legislatures of Minnesota and Nebraska. Additionally, this series has a few birthday and anniversary cards exchanged between Arlen and Ellen, his wife, Erdahl. The remainder of this section contains a variety of newspaper clippings and news releases about Erdahl’s legislative career along with campaign materials from his successful bid for the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office in 1970.

Dates

1963-1970

Creator

Erdahl, Arlen Inglof, 1931- (Person)

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.

Biographical / Historical

Arlen Inglof Erdahl, a farmer, legislator, and businessman from Blue Earth, Faribault County was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1962. He served four terms until 1970. During his time in the House of Representatives, Erdahl served on numerous committees during his eight years in office: Education, Conservation, Agriculture, Higher Education, Municipal Affairs, County and Township Government, Reapportionment, and the Cooperatives and Marketing committees. Also, he was the chairman of the Labor Relations Committee. Erdahl left the House in 1970 when he was elected Minnesota Secretary of State. He served as Secretary of State until 1974 when he became a member of Minnesota’s first Public Service Commission. Also, Erdahl served in numerous capacities within the Republican Party.

Extent

3.00 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Arlen Inglof Erdahl collection contains materials about Erdahl’s seven years in the Minnesota House of Representatives and his campaign for Minnesota Secretary of State in 1970. However, the majority of the collection is related to Erdahl’s job as a state representative. The collection is arranged in chronological order from 1963 through 1970. Each year has been divided between into three series of information: Correspondence, Congressional Records, and Miscellaneous documents.