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Manuscript Collections


C. ELMER ANDERSON:

An Inventory of His Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society



OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: Anderson, C. Elmer (Clyde Elmer), 1912- .
Title:C. Elmer Anderson gubernatorial and mayoral papers.
Date:1940-1987 (bulk 1951-1986).
Abstract:The collection contains the personal papers of C. Elmer Anderson, governor of Minnesota (1951-1955), mayor of Nisswa, Minnesota (1960-1962), and mayor of Brainerd, Minnesota (1976-1986). It includes speech transcriptions, personal and official correspondence, photographs, campaign materials, certifications of his elections to office, and citations and awards during his service in public office.
Quantity:3.25 cu. ft. (3 boxes, and 1 oversize folder, unboxed).
Location:See Detailed Description section for box locations.

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BIOGRAPHY OF C. ELMER ANDERSON

C. Elmer (Clyde Elmer) Anderson was born in Brainerd, Minnesota on March 16, 1912, one of nine children born to Swedish immigrants Fred and Anna Anderson. When his father died (Anderson was 14) he joined his siblings to work in support of the family. His first job was delivering newspapers, while helping out on the family farm near Brainerd. Though still working, he was able to finish high school at age 16. He attended the University of Minnesota hoping to become a doctor, but could not continue his studies because of financial constraints.

While working for a magazine distribution company, Anderson took over its management after the owner died. He subsequently purchased it and continued to run it for 26 years. Anderson married Lillian Otterstad in 1937, and they had 3 children.

Anderson's political career began in 1939, when he began serving two terms as the lieutenant governor of Minnesota. He was defeated for a third term in 1942, but was again elected to that post and served from 1945 to 1951. He presided a record six terms as lieutenant governor under three different governors. Anderson was appointed governor, himself, when Governor Luther W. Youngdahl accepted an appointment to a federal judgeship in 1951. He was elected again in 1952, but was defeated in a reelection bid in 1954.

Anderson was elected mayor of Nisswa, Minnesota in 1960 and served two years in that post. He went on to serve as mayor of Brainerd, Minnesota from 1976 to 1986. After he was defeated in his bid for reelection in 1986, he returned to private life, pursuing theatrical endeavors. He died on January 22, 1998 at the age of 85.

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SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE PAPERS

The collection contains speech transcriptions, personal and official correspondence, newspaper clippings, political and campaign materials, signed and unsigned photographs and portraits, complimentary membership cards, constituent memorabilia, certifications, proclamations, and awards chiefly from the time Anderson served as governor (1951-1954) and as mayor of Brainerd (1976-1986). The collection provides an interesting glimpse into the personal side of a state elected official.

There are numerous documents that record Anderson's correspondence with and about Senator Hubert H. Humphrey ("HHH"), 1976-1986, as well as from Governor Al Quie ("Q"), 1979-1984. Other correspondents throughout the collection include Vice President Walter Mondale, San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein, Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich, and "D. E." (President Dwight Eisenhower) who wrote a condolence message to Anderson upon his defeat as governor in 1954. (Found in Correspondence section: Political Files.) Of added interest is Anderson's invitation to the 50th Presidential Inaugural for President Reagan in 1985, found in the Ephemera section.

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ORGANIZATION OF THE PAPERS

These documents are organized into the following sections:
Speeches, 1951-1986
Correspondence and Related Papers, undated, 1940-1986
Ephemera, undated, [194?], 1944-1987

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RELATED MATERIALS

Minnesota. Governor (1951-1955 : Anderson). Records, 1952;
Minnesota. Governor (1951-1955 : Anderson). Records, 1953;
Minnesota. Governor (1951-1955 : Anderson). Records, 1954;
Minnesota. Governor (1951-1955 : Anderson). County correspondence, 1954;
Minnesota. Supreme Court. Scrapbooks, 1986, 1904, 1931-1957 [microform].
All are in the Minnesota State Archives.

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OTHER FINDING AIDS

An inventory that provides additional information about this collection is available in the repository; filed in ALPHA notebooks under the heading: Anderson, C. Elmer.

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INDEX TERMS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics should search the catalog using these headings.
Topics:
Executive departments -- Minnesota.
Political campaigns.
Persons:
Humphrey, Hubert H. (Hubert Horatio), 1911-1978.
Quie, Albert H., 1923- .
Organizations:
Minnesota. Fort Snelling Sesquicentennial Committee.
Minnesota. Governor (1951-1955 : Anderson) -- Correspondence.
Minnesota Racing Commission.
Places:
Minnesota -- Politics and government -- 1945-1980.
Minnesota -- Politics and government -- 1951- .
Document Types:
Photographs.
Political art.
Speeches.
Occupations:
Governors.
Mayors.

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ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. C. Elmer Anderson Gubernatorial and Mayoral Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.
See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples
Accession Information:
Accession number: 15,911
Processing Information:
Processed by: Ann Mulfort, October 2004
Catalog ID number: 002958189

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Note to Researchers: To request materials, please note both the location and box numbers shown below.

Speeches, 1951-1986

Included in this series are annotated speech transcriptions, handwritten notes, newspaper clippings, scripts for radio broadcasts, and press releases organized alphabetically by file titles.
LocationBox
149.J.20.5B1
Advertising Club - Talk, [195?], 1952.
AFL Honor Night, 1952.
Aging, [195?].
Agriculture - Talks, 1951-1954.
American Legion, [195?].
Mrs. Anderson, [195?].
Awards, 1951-1954.
Blood Donors, 1952.
Bonds for Israel, 1951.
Book of Golden Deeds, 1952.
Brotherhood - Human Relations, 1954.
Business Development, 1952-1954.
Campaign, 1954.
Campaign Kickoff St. Paul, August 6, 1952.
Christmas Greetings, 1951.
Churches, 1952-1954.
Commencement Address, [195?].
Dedications, 1951-1953.
Duluth, Feb. 1, 1952.
Education, [195?], 1953.
Flood Control, [195?].
Forestry, [195?].
Freedom Shrine, 1952-1953.
Governor's Notes, 1953.
Greetings to Individuals and Introductions, 1951-1953.
Greetings to Organizations, 1951-1954. 4 folders.
Hennepin County, 1952.
Inaugural, 1953.
Inaugural Address, Sept. 28, 1951.
Integrity, 1952.
Keep Minnesota Green, 1952.
Keynote Radio Talk, Aug. 11, 1952.
Labor Day, [195?].
Law Enforcement, 1953-1954.
Memorial, 1981-1986.
Memorial Day, 1952.
Mental Health, 1952-1954.
Minnesota's Program for Children & Youth, [195?], 1952.
Miscellany, 1951-1954.
The Need for Christians in Government, 1952-1972.
North Mankato Flood Workers, 1952.
P.T.A., Oct. 24, 1951.
Penal Reform, 1953.
Physically Handicapped, 1953.
Proposed Talks, 1951-1962.
Radio Broadcast, April 19, 1952, 1952-1954.
Republicans, 1952-1954.
Rotary, Oct. 16, 1951.
Safety Talks, 1952-1954.
Sauer Kraut Day, 1952.
"See" Elmer Supper, Oct. 18, 1951.
State Employees, 1953-1954.
State Government Clinic, 1953.
Statements for Publication, 1951-1953.
Summertime in Minnesota, 1952.
Talks, [195?] - [198?].
Talks [Handwritten], undated, 1977-1985.
Talks - Material, 1952-1954.
Veterans, [195?], 1953.
Your Business and Mine, [195?], 1952.
Youth, 1952-1956.

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Correspondence and Related Papers, undated, 1940-1986

Included in these files are personal and official correspondence, newspaper clippings, biographical information, photographs, programs, memorials, wedding invitations, and telegrams. Because Anderson created a separate filing system between subject files and alphabetical files, these systems were maintained. Where there was no title or where the title of the file was ineffective, the title was created or enhanced by the processor, as indicated by brackets.
LocationBox
149.J.20.6F2
Subject Files, undated, 1940-1948, 1950-1967, 1969-1970, 1974-1986:
Accepts and Regrets, 1954.
[Appointment of Judge Glenn], 1954-1955.
Brainerd Campaign, 1974-1981.
[Charles A. Lindbergh Fund], 1985.
Congratulations, 1951-1952.
[Decision to Run], undated, 1955-1958.
Friends of C. Elmer, 1952.
Fort Snelling Sesquicentennial, 1969-1970.
Anderson was chairman of the committee; file contains much information on the committee work and celebration.
H H H [Hubert H. Humphrey], 1976-1986.
[Interview for Minnesota Historical Society], 1964-1967.
Letters - Telegrams, 1951-1952.
[Minnesota Racing Commission], 1984.
Nisswa, 1957-1964.
[Peace Letter to Krasnovishersk], 1983.
Anderson opposed sending a letter of peace to "sister" city in Russia; newspaper clippings and constituent affirmations of his decision are enclosed.
Personal Letters, 1952-1966.
Press Releases and Statements, 1950-1951.
Rental Property for Governor, 1952-1954.
XYZ, 1940-1948.
LocationBox
149.J.20.6F2
Alphabetical Files, 1961-1986:
A, 1975-1983.
B, 1961-1986.
C, 1954-1986.
D, 1977-1985.
E, 1977-1986.
F, 1970-1986.
G, 1977-1986.
H, 1975-1986.
I-J, 1976-1986.
K-L, 1976-1986.
M, 1975-1986.
Mc, [197?], 1984.
N, 1977, 1986.
O, 1977-1982.
P, 1977-1986.
Q, 1979-1984.
R, 1967-1986.
T, 1976-1985.
U, 1979-1986.
V, 1976-1986.
W - XYZ, 1975-1986.
LocationBox
149.J.20.6F2
Official Correspondence, undated, 1950-1955, 1970-1986. 2 folders.
Items contained in this file include correspondence in Anderson's capacity as an elected official.
LocationBox
149.J.20.6F2
Personal Correspondence, 1943-1975.
Includes 1943 letter to his brother, and Mrs. Anderson's thank-you letters to people who sent greetings at the birth of their son.
LocationBox
149.J.20.6F2
Political Files, 1950-1981.
Includes envelope containing biographical clippings Anderson sent to John Riedl, Sr. with annotation: Story of My Life. Additional biographical information enclosed. Also enclosed is an original White House condolence letter signed by "D. E." regarding Anderson's defeat in 1954.

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Ephemera, undated, [194?], 1944-1987

LocationBox
+289
Certifications, Proclamations, Citations, Awards, 1944-1987.
Includes certifications of elections and various other items received while in office.
LocationBox
142.G.14.6F-2 3
Miscellaneous, 1951-1954, 1984.
[Miscellaneous Personal Materials], 1953.
[Miscellaneous Political Materials], 1951-1954, 1984.
Includes an original Minneapolis Star political cartoon signed by editorial cartoonist/artist Roy Justus, as well as Anderson's 1952 delegate ticket to the Republican National Convention in Chicago.
LocationBox
142.G.14.6F-2 3
Photographs, undated, [194?], 1947-1984. 2 folders.
Includes personal and political photographs of Anderson and others. Noteworthy are signed portraits of Luther W. Youngdahl and Martin A. Nelson.

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