Duration | 01:01:55.099 |
Abstract | Haraldson discusses his emigration from Norway as a 21-year old cobbler, his experience farming in Westby, Wisconsin, and his resettlement in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he worked in the shoe trade at Arenz Shoe Co. and Fry Shoe Co. He describes his involvement in local businessmen's and Norwegian associations, his friendships with Judge Lincoln Neprud and Dr. Adolf Gundersen, and his experiences travelling back to Norway. Topics also discussed include: Family history—Early life, Norway—Apprenticeship, cobbling—Immigration, 1902—Transportation, railroad—Arrival, Westby, WI—Employment, Tobacco farm—Norwegian community, Westby, WI 1903—Employment, Arenz Shoe Store—Employment, Fry Shoe Company—Move to La Crosse, WI 1903—Marriage—Modes of transportation—Discussions of World War I, 1914-1918—Shoe making industry, La Crosse—Haraldson's store and repair shop—Businessmen's club, La Crosse—Relationship with Dr. Adolf Gundersen—Haraldson's good health—Trinity Lutheran Church membership, La Crosse—Night classes in La Crosse—Business philosophy—Opinions, United States—Haraldson's store catches fire—Comparing Norway to United States—Personal life and family. |
Interviewee | Haraldson, John |
Interviewer | Fredricks, Howard R. |
Owner | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse |
Type of resource | sound recording |
Genre | sound |
Genre authority | marcgt |
Publisher name | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Oral History Program |
Place of publication | La Crosse, Wisconsin |
Date published | 1973-07-05 |
Date captured | 2017-09-08 |
Language | eng |
Subject topic | Haraldson, John -- Interviews Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Oral history Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Oral history -- Wisconsin -- La Crosse Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Interviews -- Wisconsin -- La Crosse Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | La Crosse (Wis.) -- History Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Norwegian Americans -- Wisconsin -- La Crosse Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Shoe industry -- Wisconsin -- La Crosse Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Retail trade -- Wisconsin -- La Crosse Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Clubs -- Wisconsin -- La Crosse -- History Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Westby (Wis.) -- Social life and customs Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | La Crosse (Wis.) -- Social life and customs Authority: LCSH |
Content | 00:00:40—Family history, immigration from Norway | 00:01:20—Saw mills, family occupation | 00:04:00—Railways, Coon Valley, 1900s | 00:07:00—Ford Motor Company, Coon Valley | 00:8:45—Postal worker, 1910s | 00:11:00—Earliest memories, La Crosse | 00:12:45—Father’s occupation, blacksmith | 00:13:30—Reasons for immigration to the U.S., family in La Crosse | 00:16:15—Family income and standard of living | 00:18:00—Boyhood, La Crosse | 00:20:45—Popular attractions, La Crosse | 00:25:15—The Great Depression, local strain | 00:28:30—Recreation activities, steamboat river rides and dances | 00:31:10—La Crosse fair | 00:32:15—Grade school | 00:33:50—Farm technologies, horse and buggy, outhouses | 00:36:20—Newspaper delivery, press industry | 00:37:45—Memorable teachers | 00:41:45—Business college vs. public schooling | 00:43:45—La Crosse Tribune, postmaster | 00:47:30—Quality of education, Tomah business college | 00:53:00—Progressive ideals, business college | 00:54:00—Circus acts, La Crosse | 00:57:15—Segregation, Native Americans | **00:56:30 to 00:58:45 bad audio quality |
Source note | Tape 1 of 2. |
Use and reproduction restrictions | This material may be protected by copyright law (e.g., Title 17, US Code). For more information about the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Murphy Library's copyright, fair-use, and permissions policies, please see https://digitalcollections.uwlax.edu/. |
Collection | UWL Oral History Program Collection |
ID | aa172543-df64-469f-9585-15a8bb4e56e4/wlacu000/00000018/00000049 |
Doi | 18-0049 |