Theodore August Erickson Papers, 1900-1956

Summary Information

Title: Theodore August Erickson papers
Dates: 1900-1956
Creator: Erickson, T. A. (Theodore A.)
Extent: 3 boxes (3.0 cubic feet)
Language: Collection materials in English
Collection Number: uarc 712
Abstract:

Collection contains articles, speeches, clippings, reports, biographical and autobiographical writings and routine correspondence concerning Theodore Erickson’s leadership of the 4-H club program in Minnesota between 1913 and 1940, and his involvement in promoting farm safety and rural youth development through education.

Repository: University of Minnesota Libraries. University of Minnesota Archives

Access and Use

Acquisition Information:

Collection was transferred from the Minnesota Historical Society on February 19, 1963.

Access Restrictions:

Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Copyright:

Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). Requests to publish should be arranged with the University of Minnesota Archives.

Processing Information:

This collection was processed with funds provided by the State of Minnesota through the Minnesota Historical Society from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

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Preferred Citation:

Theodore August Erickson papers, University Archives, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into two series:

• 4-H
• Subject Files

Biographical Sketch of Theodore August Erickson (1871-1963)

Theodore A Erickson, B.A. (1904), University of Minnesota; rural school specialist (1912), Department of Agricultural Education, University of Minnesota; director (1912-1940), Minnesota State 4-H Club. Known as the “father of 4-H” in Minnesota.

Theodore August “Dad” Erickson was born in Alexandria, Minnesota, September 2, 1871. He briefly attended Gustavus Adolphus College (1888), and served as chair of the Scandinavian Department and professor of French Language at Nebraska Wesleyan College from 1899-1900. After earning his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, Erickson taught high school and served as principal of the Ward School in Alexandria, Minnesota and superintendent of schools in Douglas County, Minnesota. In 1912 he joined the University faculty and was named head of 4-H. He served as head of Minnesota’s 4-H organization until 1940. During his tenure as director, Minnesota 4-H grew to a membership of over 47,000. After retiring, he consulted with General Mills on services to rural communities with an emphasis on rural youth development. He retired a second time in 1954. Theodore Erickson died January 30, 1963.

Collection Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of articles, speeches, clippings, reports, biographical and autobiographical writings and routine correspondence concerning Theodore Erickson’s leadership of the 4-H club program in Minnesota between 1913 and 1940, and his involvement in promoting farm safety and rural youth development through education.

The collection is arranged in two series: 4-H and Subject Files. The 4-H series contains articles and speeches by Erickson about 4-H written between 1915 and 1955. Several of the folders contain topical materials relating to 4-H, such as religion, conservation, and home beautification. Also in this section are materials related to Erickson’s work with the 4-H Club of Japan, culminating in the “Morning Glory Project”.

The Subject Files series contain information about Erickson’s life and career, including his efforts to reduce farm accidents through 4-H activities and later through the National Safety Conference of Farm Safety. Erickson’s tenure at General Mills from 1940 to 1953 is covered in news releases and articles about him written during this period, as well as in the pamphlet series “General Mills: 10 Years of Service to Rural Youth of America” written between 1941 and 1951.

Subject Terms

Index Terms

• This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
• Erickson, T. A. (Theodore A.) -- Archives.
• Future Farmers of America.
• Agricultural education -- Minnesota.
• Agricultural extension work.
• 4-H clubs -- Minnesota.
• Rural youth -- Minnesota.

Detailed Contents

Location		Title
		4H
Box 1		4H articles and speeches, 1915-1955 ( 7 folders)  Box 1
Box 2		4H and Youth Programs: manuals, reports, handbooks, etc. 1908-1949  Box 2
Box 1		4H Club 1916-1952  Box 1
		4H Club Story in Minnesota 1942  Box 1
		Church and 4H 1938-1952  Box 1
		Church and 4H. Go-Home-Country Award 1950-1952  Box 1
		Church and 4H. Rural Life Sunday 1935-1954 ( 2 folders)  Box 1
		Conservation 1934-1950  Box 1
		Farm Safety 1940-1954  Box 1
Box 3		History of 4H in Douglas County 1905-1940 ( 1 volume)  Box 3 Note  Presented to T.A. Erickson by the Douglas County 4H Clubs in cooperation with Miss Ellen Erickson.
Box 1		Home Beautification 1929-1940  Box 1
Box 2		Japanese Morning Glory Project 1949-1953 ( 3 folders)  Box 2
Box 3		Japanese pendant undated ( 1 box)  Box 3 Note Cloisonne pendant, 2" circumference with 4-H cloverleaf logo. Accompanying card is addressed to a Mr. Akoi.
Box 2		Junior Livestock Show 1921-1954  Box 2
		Subject Files
Box 3		10 Years of Service to the Rural Youth of America circa 1941-1948 ( 1 volume)  Box 3 Note  Several pamphlets written by Erickson for General Mills/4H.
Box 1		Autobiography 1909-1955 ( 4 folders)  Box 1
		Biographical Information undated  Box 1
Box 2		Clippings 1929-1944  Box 2
Box 1		Correspondence 1901-1956 ( 4 folders)  Box 1
Box 3		Erickson, Theodore A. from his friends 1940 ( 2 volumes)  Box 3
Box 2		Future Farmers of America 1953  Box 2
		General Mills. Articles, news releases reports regarding Erickson and 4H 1940-1953  Box 2
		General Mills. Story of an Ad; 4H families 1947-1955  Box 2
		General Mills. The American Creed 1941-1947 ( 2 folders)  Box 2
		Mementoes, programs, miscellany undated ( 2 folders)  Box 2
Box 1		Miscellaneous 1942-1953  Box 1
Box 3		Scrapbooks, Miscellaneous undated ( 3 volumes)  Box 3
		The Sun Flower 1900 ( 1 volume)  Box 3 Note  Bound book put together by freshman at Nebraska Wesleyan University.