These papers contain correspondence, 1843-1886, and miscellaneous writings and biographical data. Subjects mentioned in the correspondence include camp meetings, the Lake Monona Assembly, a request for his daughter in marriage, appeal for white refugees at Cairo (Illinois), a request to support Jeremiah Rusk for governor, the Norwegian Mission, copperheads, recommendations for chaplain in the army, conditions among the sick and wounded at Richmond in 1864, and a letter from Samuel Fallows recruiting men for the 49th Wisconsin Regiment.

Received with the original papers were several volumes of diaries giving weather and very routine daily activities. These were not microfilmed as they were judged to have no value for research and genealogy.