Summary Information
George A. Nelson Papers 1889-1990
- Nelson, George A., 1873-1962
Wis Mss CA; M96-118; M2017-069
2.0 cubic feet (5 archives boxes); plus additions of 3.3 cubic feet, and 219 photographs and 183 negatives (in 2 archives boxes)
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers of George A. Nelson, a Milltown, Wisconsin farmer and assemblyman, documenting his leadership of cooperatives and farmers' organizations, including the Wisconsin State Union of the American Society of Equity, the Wisconsin Co-operative Creameries Association, the Farmers' Holiday Association, and the Farmers' Educational and Co-operative Union of America. In addition, there is some personal and political correspondence, and materials relating to his political career. Business records of some Milltown cooperatives are also included. English, Danish
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-wis000ca ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
The nineteen twenties and thirties were years of unrest and organization for American farmers, and George A. Nelson was an activist in the movement for greater cooperation among farmers. Born in Polk County, Wisconsin, in 1873, Nelson grew up on his father's farm, attended college briefly, and then worked his way around the country and to Alaska. He returned to settle on the family land near Milltown where he continued to farm until his retirement.
He was active in a variety of local farming and civic affairs and by 1920 was well-known enough to be elected to the Wisconsin Assembly as a Progressive Republican. He served for three terms, 1921-1922 and 1925-1928. In 1934, Nelson ran as Socialist candidate for governor; and in 1936, he was running mate to Norman Thomas in the national executive contest.
But Nelson's greatest interests lay in farmers' organizations. From 1922 to 1931, he served as president of the Wisconsin State Union of the American Society of Equity. During these same years he headed the Wisconsin Co-operative Creameries Association. In the 1930s, he was a national leader in both the Farmers' Holiday Association and the Farmers' Educational and Co-operative Union of America. Other activities included the sub-committee concerned with agriculture for the Wisconsin-Chicago Centennial of Progress Committee, 1931-1933.
Nelson was married in 1901 to Christina Larson of Polk County and they had seven children. He died in 1962 at the age of 88.
Arrangement of the Materials
This collection was received in multiple parts from the donor(s) and is organized into 3 major parts. These materials have not been physically interfiled and researchers might need to consult more than one part to locate similar materials.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Original Collection presented by Belva Nelson Kusler, Frederic, Wisconsin, 1963-1964; Additions presented by Al J. Kusler, Berne, New York; and Vicki Nelson, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. Accession Number: M63-225, M64-112, M96-118, M2017-069
Original Collection processed by Karen Baumann, April 13, 1966.
Contents List
Wis Mss CA
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Part 1 (Wis Mss CA): Original Collection, 1908-19542.0 cubic feet (5 archives boxes) The collection consists of three boxes of correspondence, 1908-1954; one box of clippings, financial information, marketing agreements, minutes of meetings and conventions, and similar miscellaneous material; and four volumes concerning operation of the Milltown Co-operative Laundry, 1914-1916. The correspondence is arranged chronologically and is almost entirely letters to Nelson chiefly from men working with him in farmers' organizations. Those from 1914-1917 are mainly about the Milltown Co-operative Laundry Company, the first such company in Wisconsin. From 1917-1919, they concern the Polk County Council of Defense of which Nelson was chairman. The 1921-1922 letters come from constituents urging Assemblyman Nelson's support for or opposition to various bills. Beginning in 1923, letters from fellow members of farmers' groups predominate. Most concern the Society of Equity (mainly 1922-31), the Farmers' Union (mainly 1934-41), and, to a lesser extent, the Co-operative Creameries Association (1920s). All are related to the workings of these organizations rather than to the ideologies behind them. Also of interest are letters from 1931 to 1933 on arrangements for Wisconsin's exhibits at the Chicago Centennial of Progress. There are a few letters about the 1934 campaign when Nelson was Socialist candidate for governor and the 1936 one when he was the nominee for vice-president. The four volumes are all dated within the period from 1914 to 1916 and concern the Milltown Cooperative Laundry. Volumes 1, 2, and 3 are account books listing (1) incoming money from customers, (2) daily accounts, and (3) outgoing expenses, respectively. Volume 4 is a record of shareholders.
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Box
1-3
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Correspondence, 1908-1954, undated
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Box
4
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Clippings, 1908-1933
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Box
4
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Co-operative Creameries
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Box
4
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Farmers' organizations
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Box
4
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Milltown Cooperative Laundry
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Box
5
Volume
1
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Account book (customers), 1914-1916
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Box
5
Volume
2
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Account book (daily), 1914-1916
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Box
5
Volume
3
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Account book (outgoing), 1914-1916
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Box
5
Volume
4
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Record of Shareholders
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Box
4
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Social Democratic Party, 1909-1912
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Box
4
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Miscellaneous
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M96-118
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Part 2 (M96-118): Additions, 1889-1990 1.6 cubic feet (4 archives boxes), and 219 photographs and 183 negatives (in 2 archives boxes) : Additions include personal correspondence with family members while George Nelson was gold mining in the Yukon (1898-1901; some letters are in Danish); courtship letters as well as later correspondence between Nelson and Christina Larsen; other miscellaneous correspondence with family, friends, and business associates; political correspondence, speeches, and campaign memorabilia concerning Nelson’s political career as a Socialist; various family papers, including autograph albums, a student diary, and school papers and souvenirs; Klondike ephemera and memorabilia and financial records from this period; business records concerning the Milltown Cooperative, the People’s Cooperative, and the Milltown Bank; and photographs of the Nelson and Larsen families, friends, and the Yukon.
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Box
1
Folder
1
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Clippings
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Box
1
Folder
2
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Biographical essay on George Nelson by Vicki Nelson, 1965
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Box
1
Folder
3
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Autograph album (George Nelson), 1893-1894
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Box
1
Folder
4
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Patterson Lyceum (club), 1896
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Box
1
Folder
5
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Official Guide to Klondike Country, 1897
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Box
1
Folder
6
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Klondike-Chicago Transportation and Trading Company, 1898
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Box
1
Folder
7
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Financial records, Klondike, 1898-1899
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Box
1
Folder
8
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Klondike newspapers and ephemera
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Correspondence
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Box
1
Folder
9
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George Nelson to Christina Larsen, 1894
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Box
1
Folder
10
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Miscellaneous friends to George Nelson (Elkhorn College), 1894-1896
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1898
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Box
1
Folder
11
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George to Christina
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Box
1
Folder
12
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Christina to George
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Box
2
Folder
1
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George to family
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1899
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Box
2
Folder
2
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George to Christina
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Box
2
Folder
3
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George to family
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1900
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Box
2
Folder
4
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George to Christina
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Box
2
Folder
5
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George to family
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1901
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Box
2
Folder
6
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George to Christina
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Box
2
Folder
7
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Christina to George
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Box
2
Folder
8
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George and Christina, 1905-1911
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Box
3
Folder
1
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Miscellaneous, 1892-1921 and undated
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Box
3
Folder
2
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Miscellaneous, 1946-1958
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Box
3
Folder
3
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With State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1955-1990
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Box
3
Folder
4
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Political correspondence, 1908-1939
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Box
3
Folder
5
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Speeches
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Box
3
Folder
6
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Campaign memorabilia
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Box
3
Folder
7
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Testimonial for Nelson, 1921
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Box
3
Folder
8
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Polk County, 1902-1942
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Box
4
Folder
1
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Marie Larsen obituary and funeral, 1949
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Box
4
Folder
2
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Nelson family student records and diary, circa 1897-1922
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Box
4
Folder
3
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Miscellaneous Nelson family papers
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Box
4
Folder
4
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George and Christina Nelson anniversary, 1946 and 1951
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Box
4
Folder
5
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Greeting cards, souvenirs, calling cards, etc.
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Box
4
Folder
6
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Brick schoolhouse on Nelson family property, 1889-1944
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Box
4
Folder
7
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Milltown Cooperative and People's Cooperative, 1929-1949
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Box
4
Folder
8
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Harry Baker correspondence regarding Milltown Bank, 1919-1923
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Box
4
Folder
9
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Miscellaneous legal and business papers (including Milltown Bank)
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Box
5-6
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Photographs and negatives of George Nelson; the Nelson and Larsen families; the Yukon; Frederic, Wisconsin; Luck, Wisconsin; Indians at Pine Lake, etc.
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M2017-069
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Part 3 (M2017-069): Additions, 1898-1962 1.7 cubic feet (2 archives boxes, 1 flat box, 1 negative box, and 1 oversize folder) : Additions, 1898-1962, consisting of correspondence, expense notebooks, diaries, newspaper articles, election and membership cards, farm conference and convention programs, records of dairy herds, 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair materials, Socialist pamphlets and books and photographs.
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Correspondence
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Box
1
Folder
1
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Christina and George A. Nelson from family, 1921-1945
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Box
1
Folder
2
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George A. Nelson from Christina and family, 1907-1936
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Box
1
Folder
3
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Constituents to George A. Nelson, 1918, 1921, 1928
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Box
1
Folder
4
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Phillip La Follette and the La Follete law firm, Proclamation and Honorary Appointments from Governors, 1923-1938
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Box
1
Folder
5
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Expense account notebooks, 1926-1939
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Box
1
Folder
6
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Letterhead
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Box
1
Folder
7
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Ephemera, 1908, 1926, 1937-1945
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Box
1
Folder
8
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Newspaper clippings, 1926, 1931-1938, 1962
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Box
1
Folder
9
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Photographs - wedding, political campaign picture cards
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Box
1
Folder
10
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Yukon diary, 1898
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Box
2
Folder
1
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Farm conference and convention programs, 1937, 1937
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Box
2
Folder
2
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Farm correspondence, 1938-1939
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Box
2
Folder
3
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Farm photograph, 1906
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Box
2
Folder
4
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Polk County, Wisconsin book, 1905-1938
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Box
2
Folder
5
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"A Century of Progress" newsletter, 1930-1931
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Box
2
Folder
6
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Northward Trails in Wisconsin, Compliments of G.A. Nelson to World's Fair Visitors, 1933
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Box
2
Folder
7
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A Century of Progress World's Fair photographs, 1933
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Box
2
Folder
8
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A Century of Progress World's Fair Statement of Plan and Purpose and Relation to States and Foreign Countries to Them, 1931, 1933
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Box
2
Folder
9
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Labor/Socialist Party pamphlets and notes, 1934, 1936
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Box
2
Folder
10
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Pamphlets and books
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Box
3-4
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Ledgers and cashbooks, 1914-1943
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Box
5
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Name tags, 1911, 1934-1937, 1942-1948
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Oversize Folder
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Sample ballots; certificates of appointment, 1921, 1923, 1928, 1932
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