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Samuel Torgerson Papers, 1895-1952
Collection Overview
Title: Samuel Torgerson Papers, 1895-1952
ID: OGLMC012
Primary Creator: Torgerson, Samuel (1856-1947)
Extent: 2.25 Linear Feet
Subjects: Business and Industry, Politics and Government - Democratic Party
Languages: English
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Samuel Torgerson Papers consist primarily of incoming personal correspondence of Torgerson, 1895-1939. Letters from prominent North Dakotans include J.F.T. O’Connor, Gerald P. Nye, Olger B. Burtness, John Moses, John Burke, and Asle J. Gronna. The correspondence documents Torgerson’s personal, business, religious, social and political interests. The correspondence is arranged chronologically.
A subject index to the Samuel Torgerson correspondence was created and is arranged alphabetically. The list also includes names of people with whom Torgerson corresponded frequently, or who were prominent political figures. All the correspondence with these individuals is listed under the person's name. Significant subjects covered in these letters will also appear under the relevant subject headings. Under each subject heading are entries consisting of the date, a content note, and the box and folder location of the correspondence.
Besides the correspondence, a biographical sketch of Samuel Torgerson is included. The sketch was written in 1952 by Marion Richards, the daughter of Samuel Torgerson. Two folders of Torgerson’s speeches and writings are also included.
Collection Historical Note
Samuel Torgerson was born June 18, 1856, in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, son of Torger and Martha (Hermanson) Torgerson. He attended public schools in Waupaca County, and graduated from the Normal School of Oskosh in 1880. He also attended the University of Wisconsin- Madison for two years. In 1882 he moved to Moorhead, Minnesota, to teach and then became superintendent of schools for Clay County. He also studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1890.
Torgerson left Moorhead in 1893, and moved to Mayville, North Dakota, to pursue a long career in banking. He was the assistant cashier for the First National Bank of Mayville until he moved to Grand Forks in 1904. He was a founding member of the Scandinavian-American Bank, and served as cashier for fifteen years. When the bank received a National Charter and was re-named Northwestern National Bank, Torgerson continued to serve as cashier. He left the bank in 1933, and worked for the Federal Land Bank of St. Paul, as its Secretary-Treasurer of the National Farm Loan for Grand Forks County. He retired from this position a few years before his death. He also acted as President of Security State Bank of Upham, North Dakota, and Vice-President of the Mekinock State Bank of Mekinock, North Dakota.
In politics, Torgerson was a Democrat. He was active in the Congregational Church of Grand Forks, and served on its board of trustees. He belonged to multiple organizations in the community of Grand Forks, such as the Sons of Norway, the Grand Forks Public Library Board, the Franklin Club and the Fortnightly Club. Torgerson was also very active in the Masons, and was a member of the Acacia Lodge, the Jared Consistory and the Kem Temple. Torgerson served on committees during World War I, made patriotic speeches, and contributed to all war organizations.
He was married August 3, 1887, in Ontario, Canada, to Janet E. Anderson. Together they had two children, William Robert and Marion Louise. Samuel Torgerson died September 22, 1947, at the age of 91 years, while his wife died November 9, 1951.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Source: Marion Richards, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Acquisition Method: The acquisition records are unavailable.
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Samuel Torgerson Papers. OGLMC 12, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections. Chester Fritz Library. University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in February 2013.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[All]
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Correspondence, 1895-1896
- Folder 2: Correspondence, 1897
- Folder 3: Correspondence, 1989
- Folder 4: Correspondence, 1899
- Folder 5: Correspondence, 1899-1900
- Folder 6: Correspondence, 1904-1911
- Folder 7: Correspondence, 1912
- Folder 8: Correspondence, 1913
- Folder 9: Correspondence, 1914
- Folder 10: Correspondence, 1915
- Folder 11: Correspondence, 1916
- Folder 12: Correspondence, 1917
- Folder 13: Correspondence, 1918-1919
- Folder 14: Correspondence, 1920-1922
- Folder 15: Correspondence, 1923-1924
- Folder 16: Correspondence, 1925-1927
- Folder 17: Correspondence, 1928
- Folder 18: Correspondence, January-July 1929
- Folder 19: Correspondence, August-September 1929
- Folder 20: Correspondence, October-November 1929
- Folder 21: Correspondence, December 1929
- Folder 22: Correspondence, January 1930
- Folder 23: Correspondence, February 1930
- Folder 24: Correspondence, March 1930
- Folder 25: Correspondence, April 1930
- Folder 26: Correspondence, May-June 1930
- Folder 27: Correspondence, July-August
- Folder 28: Correspondence, September-October 1930
- Folder 29: Correspondence, November 1930
- Folder 30: Correspondence, December 1930
- Box 2
- Folder 1: Correspondence, January-February 1931
- Folder 2: Correspondence, March-April 1931
- Folder 3: Correspondence, May-June 1931
- Folder 4: Correspondence, July-August 1931
- Folder 5: Correspondence, September-October 1931
- Folder 6: Correspondence, November-December 1931
- Folder 7: Correspondence, 1932-1933
- Folder 8: Correspondence, January-April 1934
- Folder 9: Correspondence, May-December 1934
- Box 3
- Folder 1: Correspondence, 1935
- Folder 2: Correspondence, 1936
- Folder 3: Correspondence, 1937-1939
- Folder 4: Biography of Samuel Torgerson, 1952
- Folder 5: Speeches and Writings
- Item 1: "The Banker's Relation to the Community", 7 pages.
- Item 2: "The Brown Man's Burden", poem, 1 page.
- Item 3: "Has Wilson Made Good?", 8 pages.
- Item 4: "The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson", 16 pages.
- Item 5: 7 page speech on trusts and the Republican Party.
- Item 6: "Modernism", 13 pages.
- Item 7: "The Attitude of the Church to Labor", 20 pages.
- Folder 6: Speeches and Writings
- Item 1: "Thrift", 10 pages.
- Item 2: "What Is a Good Sermon?", 9 pages.
- Item 3: "The Dangers of Present Commercialism", 15 pages.
- Item 4: "Norway's Struggle for Freedom", Quarterly Journal of the University of North Dakota, January 1918
- Item 5: "The Progress of Peace", 26 pages.
- Item 6: "The Spirit of the Time", 11 pages.
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[All]