Oral history interview with John Haraldson / interviewed by Howard Fredricks (1 of 2)
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@ University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Description
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 Cross00:00:40—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—CirTape 1 of 2.
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