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Raymond G. Vendsel Papers
Raymond G. Vendsel Papers, 1953-1975
Collection Overview
Title: Raymond G. Vendsel Papers, 1953-1975
ID: OGLMC562
Primary Creator: Vendsel, Raymond G. (1917-1989)
Extent: 0.75 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 03/07/1980
Subjects: Politics and Government - Democratic Party
Languages: English
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Raymond Vendsel Papers contain political correspondence, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks and memorabilia dating from 1953 to 1975. Also included is a research paper about Vendsel, written by a student at Minot State Teacher’s College. The scrapbooks consist primarily of undated, political newspaper clippings. The campaigns of Vendsel are included in the scrapbooks.
Three oversize photographs were placed in the OGLMC oversize photograph cabinet.
Collection Historical Note
Raymond G. Vendsel was born November 25, 1917, to Walter and Julia Vendsel at the farm home of his mother's sister in Stafford Township, Renville County, North Dakota. He graduated from Lansford High School in the spring of 1934. On December 1, 1940 he married Ester Bryans at Bottineau, North Dakota. Together, they had two children, Bryan and Judith. In the spring of the following year they began ranching on her parents homestead. Vendsel enlisted in the U.S. Army July 17, 1942, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. After serving his country during World War II, he was given an honorable discharge with the rank of Captain, leaving from Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, on January 13, 1946.
Politically inclined, Vendsel became a member of the North Dakota Young Democrats in 1948 and three years later he became president of that organization and was also North Dakota Committeeman for the Young Democrats. In 1954, the Democrats nominated Vendsel and P.W. Lanier as candidates for the United States House of Representatives. Although defeated in this election, Vendsel returned in 1956 to defeat Martin Stenehjem, Jr. for a seat in the North Dakota State Senate. In November 1958, Vendsel ran against William Langer for the United States Senate and was defeated. Two years later he was defeated again when he campaigned for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Shortly after the election of 1960, Vendsel was appointed to a post in the United States Department of the Interior by President John F. Kennedy, who Vendsel greatly admired.
Vendsel was also involved in other state and local organizations and committees. He was part of the advisory council of the North Dakota Stockman's Association, and chairman of the Souris River Telephone Board for many years. Vendsel was president of the Great Northern Investment Company, Renville-Bottineau Agriculture Improvement Association, Mouse River Cattleman's Association, and the Carpio Community Club. He was a member of many other organizations, such as Elks and 40 & 8. Raymond G. Vendsel died January 18, 1989, in Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Mohall, North Dakota.
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: Raymond G. Vendsel, Minot, North Dakota
Acquisition Method: Donation; 80-635
Separated Materials: Photographs 1-3 are oversize and located in the oversize photograph cabinet (top drawer)
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Raymond G. Vendsel Papers. OGLMC 562, 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 2014.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
[Oversize Folder 1: Photographs],
[All]
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Political Correspondence, 1953-1961
- Folder 2: Seminar Paper by Merle Parsley, Minot State Teacher’s College: “Raymond Vendsel: Statesman, Rancher and Friend”, 1961
- Folder 3: Newspaper Clippings (Political), February-April 1975
- Folder 4: Newspaper Clippings of John F. Kennedy's Assassination, December 9, 1963
- Folder 5: Miscellaneous
- Folder 6: Memorabilia - Political buttons, etc.
One "Vendsel for Congress" bumper sticker
Two "Vendsel U.S. Senate" bumper stickers
One ticket for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, July 1952
Four buttons: "Vendsel for Congress"; (William) Guy; Ailsa Simonson; and North Dakota USA
One name tag: Mrs. Ray Vendsel, Presidential Reception Committee for Harry S. Truman in Minot, September 29, 1952
One tie clasp: McClusky Canal Groundbreaking, May 1970
Three pins: Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, 1960; Kennedy pin; Adlai pin (Adlai Stevenson?)
- Folder 7: Photographs
562-4: From left - G. Mennen Williams, Raymond Vendsel, and McKenzie County newspaper publisher, undated
562-5: From left - Walter Hjelle, Estes Kefauver, and Raymond Vendsel, undated
562-6: Daphna Nygaard (left) and unidentified woman, October 11, 1958
562-7: From left - Vendsel, Harry S. Truman, and John Lord (candidate for governor), October 11, 1958
562-8: From left - Harry S. Truman, Vendsel, and Sydney B. Hocking, October 1958
562-9: Estes Kefauver, undated
562-10: Senator Kefauver and Vendsel at rally near Minot, May 7, 1956
562-11: Seated in front - Esther Vendsel, Mrs. G. Mennen Williams, Rosamund O'Brien; seated behind - Jean Guy; standing in back - John Yunker, William Guy, Vendsel, Irene Yunker, G. Mennen Williams, undated
562-12: From left - William Guy, G. Mennen Williams, Vendsel, Mary and P. William Lanier, undated
562-13: Raymond Vendsel, undated
- Item 1: “John F. Kennedy Memorial Edition” of Life magazine, 1963
- Item 2: “The President and His Son,” Look, December 3, 1963
- Item 3: Political Scrapbook 1
- Item 4: Political Scrapbook 2