FINDING AID
John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois records, 1934-1962
COLLECTION SUMMARY
Collection Title:
John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois records
Collection Number:
I/O:21
Dates:
1934-1935, 1948, 1953-1962, undated (bulk 1955-1958)
Size:
2 boxes (.66 linear feet) and 2 folders in an oversized box
Language:
English
Creator/Collector:
Lofgren, George C.
Subject Headings:
John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois
John Ericsson Republican League of Knox County
Swedish-American Republican League of Illinois
Ericsson, John, 1803-1889.
Illinois--Politics and government--20th century.
Swedish Americans--Illinois--Knox County
Republican party (U.S. : 1854- )
Gustav V, King of Sweden, 1858-1950
Repository:
Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois.
Abstract:
The John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois (first named the Swedish-American Republican League of Illinois) was organized and incorporated in 1894 in order to exert a Scandinavian-American influence on American politics. The league held an annual convention and banquet on or around March 9 in celebration of John Ericsson Day. Leading Republicans have attended and addressed League conventions, including President William Howard Taft in 1912. These materials were likely accumulated by George C. Lofgren of Galesburg, IL during his involvement with the League. He served as League president in 1957. Of note are the programs from the League’s annual conventions and a letter from King Gustav V of Sweden from 1912.
RIGHTS AND ACCESS
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open for research.
Reproduction and Use:
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the Swenson Center and the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation:
[item identification], in I/O:21 John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois records, Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
ACQUISITION AND RELATED MATERIALS
Provenance:
King Gustav V of Sweden letter transferred to the Swenson Center by Marjorie Miller of Denkmann Memorial Library, Augustana College in fall of 1981. It is unknown when the other materials were donated to the Swenson Center. It is likely they came from George C. Lofgren.
Location of Copies:
Reproduction of King Gustav V of Sweden’s letter to League can be found in The Swedish Element of Illinois by Ernst W. Olson, 1917, page 342.
Related Materials:
Monitor News; MSS 376 John Ericsson papers, Special Collections, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
Processed By:
Processed by SSIRC staff. Revised by Lisa Huntsha, May 2016.
CONTENT AND STRUCTURE
Administrative/Biographical History:
The John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois (first named the Swedish-American Republican League of Illinois) was organized and incorporated in 1894 in order to exert a Scandinavian-American influence on American politics. On December 4, 1894, after numerous advisory meetings, a meeting was held in Chicago of leading Republicans of Swedish descent from the counties of Cook, Henry, Knox, Rock Island, Will and Winnebago. The group was incorporated on December 31, 1894. First officers were Edward C. Westman of Chicago, president; Hjalmar Kohler of Moline, vice president, Will S. Hussander of Chicago, secretary; A. L. Anderson of Andover, treasurer.
The League held an annual convention and banquet on or around March 9 in celebration of John Ericsson Day. This day was to honor Captain John Ericsson, Swedish-American engineer and inventor best known for his creation of the Union ironclad warship U.S.S. Monitor, which defeated the Confederate ironclad warship U.S.S. Merrimac in a naval battle on March 9, 1862. This battle was instrumental in securing a Union victory in the Civil War. The first League convention was held on March 9, 1895 in Chicago.
The League endeavored to publish a small paper concerning its political interests. In 1895, the League published the first, and only, issue of Monitor News, with G. Bernhard Anderson as editor.
In 1905, the League founded the John Ericsson Monument Association of Illinois, headed by Dr. Gustav Andreen, with the object to build a monument in Illinois to the memory of John Ericsson. This project was never realized, however. Monuments to John Ericsson exist in Battery Park, New York City and on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
In 1918, the group changed its name to the John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois.
Over the years, leading Republicans have attended and addressed League conventions and banquets, including President William Howard Taft in 1912, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Warren L. Wood, Illinois Governor William G. Stratton, United States Senator from Illinois Everett M. Dirksen, and Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte.
These materials were likely accumulated by George C. Lofgren of Galesburg, IL. Lofgren was born February 22, 1900 and died December 1962. He was elected president of the League in 1956 and served during 1957.
For more information on the League and Swedish-American political activities in Illinois, see: The Swedish Element in Illinois by Ernst W. Olson, 1917.
Scope and Content:
The John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois records, 1934-135, 1948, 1953-1962 and undated, contains records and papers likely generated by George C. Lofgren during his time associated with the League, particularly during his presidency during 1957. Of note are the programs from the League’s annual conventions, particularly during the 1950s. Also represented are newspaper clippings related to the League’s and Republicans’ activities. The collection is arranged into five series.
The Correspondence series (1953-1960) contains letters concerning matters of the League, particularly to and from George C. Lofgren, with Herbert Friedlund, Bernard Schimmel of Hotel Custer, and others. Also contains correspondence related to the executive committee of the League.
The Resolutions, Speeches and Press series (1912-1960, undated) contains the transcripts from speeches read at annual conventions and resolutions commending prominent Republicans adopted by the league.
Of note is a letter from King Gustav V of Sweden written to the League on the 50th anniversary of the 1862 Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack in 1912.
The Programs, Pamphlets and Ribbons from Meetings and Events series (1901-1962, undated) contains mostly programs from League annual conventions, but also tickets, flyers and ephemera from League and other Republican group activities.
The Newspaper Clippings series (1934-1962, undated) contains newspaper clippings related to the John Ericsson Republican League and the Swedish Pioneer Centennial of 1948 from Illinois newspapers, particularly Galesburg.
The Photographs series (1948, 1955, 1957, undated) contains photographs of conventions and banquets and from Prince Bertil’s visit during the Swedish Pioneer Centennial of 1948.
System of Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into five series. Items in each series are arranged chronologically.
I. Correspondence
II. Resolutions, Speeches, and Press
III. Programs, Pamphlets and Ribbons from Meetings and Events
IV. Newspaper Clippings
V. Photographs
Collection Inventory:
Box 1
I. Correspondence
• George C. Lofgren, 1953-1957 (all letters to or from George C. Lofgren)
• George C. Lofgren, 1957-1958 (all letters to or from George C. Lofgren)
• Executive Committee, etc. 1954-1960
II. Resolutions, Speeches, and Press
• Letter from the King Gustav V of Sweden to Republican League 50th Anniversary, 1912
• Swedish Pioneer Centennial, Chicago Events, 1948
• Committee on Resolutions, history of organization and resolutions, Kewanee, 1955
• Resolution commending achievements of Governor William G. Stratton, 1956
• Executive Committee name and address list, 1956
• Resolution, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois, Chicago, 1956
• Press Release, Resolutions of Executive Committee Meeting, Joliet, 1956
• Agenda, Executive State Meeting, Swedish Club, 1957
• Illinois Senate Joint Resolution No. 18, commending League members, 1957
• Greeting, 63rd Annual Convention by President George C. Lofgren, Galesburg, 1957
• Resolution commending Dwight D. Eisenhower and William G. Stratton for their work for the Republican Party, Knox County League convention, 1957
• Resolution to departed members of League, Knox County League
• Speech by Honorable Joseph Peterson, State Senator of Princeton, at Galesburg, 1957
• Scandinavian Luncheon Group, Governor Stratton, Herbert R. Friedlund, 1957
• Treasurer’s Annual Report, 1960
• List of persons present at meeting regarding Herbert R. Friedlund’s candidacy for State Treasurer, undated
III. Programs, Pamphlets and Ribbons from Meetings and Events
• In Memorandum, William McKinley 1843-1901 ribbon, Galesburg, 1901
• Program in honor of Prince William of Sweden, Hotel Custer, Galesburg, 1927
• Custer for Governor Day ribbon (Omer N. Custer), Galesburg, 1932
• Platform Address, Omer N. Custer Republican Candidate for Governor, Galesburg, 1932
• George Washington Bicentennial Celebration, Labor Day Program, Knox County, 1932
• John Ericsson Republican League Knox County Annual Meeting and Banquet program, Galesburg, 1934
• 40th Anniversary Banquet, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois, Rockford, 1934
• Souvenir Program of the First Annual Conclave of Western Illinois Swedish and Swedish Americans, Galesburg, 1934
• Voter reminder card for Geo. C. Lofgren, Candidate for Alderman 4th Ward, People’s Party, 1935
• John Ericsson Republican League of Knox County, Annual Meeting and Banquet program, Galesburg, 1935
• 41st Annual John Ericsson Day Banquet program, Rock Island, 1935
• 42nd Anniversary Convention booklet, Galesburg, 1936
• John Ericsson Republican League of Knox County Annual Meeting and Banquet program, 1940
• Jenny Lind Chapel Morning Service program, Andover, 1948
• Swedish Pioneer Centennial, Centennial Breakfast, Hotel Custer, Galesburg, 1948
• Swedish Pioneer Centennial Committee ribbon, Galesburg, 1948
• 57th Annual Convention, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois brochure, Elgin, 1951
• 57th Annual Convention, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois program card, Elgin, 1951
• John Ericsson Republican League of Knox County, Annual Meeting and Banquet program, Galesburg, 1952
• 58th Annual Banquet, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois booklet, Chicago, 1952
• 59th Annual Banquet, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois booklet, Moline, 1953
• Moline to Have 59th Convention John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois flyer, 1953
• Swedish Pioneer Days program, Chicago, 1953
• 60th Annual Convention John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois program card, Joliet, 1954
• 60th Annual Convention John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois booklet, Joliet, 1954
• 60th Annual John Ericsson Day Banquet booklet, Joliet, 1954
• 61st Annual Convection John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois booklet, Kewanee, 1955
• 61st Annual Convention John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois program card, Kewanee, 1955
• 61st Annual John Ericsson Day Banquet booklet, Kewanee, 1955
• Ticket for John Ericsson Republican Club of Winnebago County Annual Meeting and Dinner, 1956
• John Ericsson Republican League of Knox County Annual Meeting and Banquet program, Galesburg, 1956 (signed by William G. Stratton)
• 62nd Annual Convention John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois program card, Chicago, 1956
• 62nd Annual John Ericsson Day Banquet booklet, Chicago, 1956
• 62nd Annual Convention, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois flyer, Chicago, 1956
• Ticket to Inaugural Ceremonies State Officers Elect event, Springfield, 1957
• Inaugural Ceremonies of the State Officers Elect invitation, Springfield, 1957
• Inaugural Ball invitation, Springfield, 1957
• 63rd Annual Convention, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois program card, Galesburg, 1957
• John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois Committee ribbon, Convention, Galesburg, 1957
• Registration card, John Ericsson Republican League of Knox County, Galesburg, 1957
• Ticket for John Ericsson Day Banquet, Galesburg, 1957
• 63rd Annual John Ericsson Day Banquet booklet, Galesburg, 1957
• Gala Days in Galesburg flyer, 63rd Annual Convention, 1957
• The American Swedish Monthly magazine featuring an article about John Ericsson and the 50th anniversary of the John Ericsson Society in New York, 1957
• 64th Annual Convention, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois program card, Rockford, 1958
• Rockford invites you to the 64th Annual Convention flyer, 1958
• 64th Annual Convention John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois booklet, Rockford, 1958
• Guest List up to April 21, 1958
• 50th Birthday Dinner in Honor of Herbert R. Friedlund, Swedish Club of Chicago, 1958
• Republican Delegate Knox County State Convention ribbon, 1958
• Republican State Convention Delegate ribbon, Geo. C. Lofgren, Galesburg, 1958
• Annual Roundup and Golf Outing ticket, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois, Hinsdale, 1958
• Illinois Republican State Convention 101st Session Celebrating the opening of a New Century of Progress program, Galesburg, 1958
• Lincoln-Douglas Debate Centennial 1858-1958 program and booklet, Galesburg, 1958
• 65th Annual Convention, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois Banquet program, St. Charles, 1959
• Ticket for the Go for ’60 Dinner, United Republican Fund of Illinois, Chicago, 1960
• Dinner with Ike (Dwight D. Eisenhower) program, Chicago, 1960
• Ticket for the Swedish Club of Chicago Song Sillfrukost [herring breakfast], 1960
• Ticket for the Annual Lincoln Day Dinner, Galesburg, 1960
• Ticket for the John Ericsson Republican League of Knox County Annual Meeting and Banquet, Galesburg, 1960
• Annual Banquet Meeting John Ericsson Republican League program, Galesburg, 1960
• Identification badge, Geo. Lofgren, Knox, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois, 1960
• 66th Annual Convention, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois program card, Chicago, 1960
• 66th Annual John Ericsson Day Banquet booklet, Chicago, 1960
• DuPage and Cook Calling 66th Annual Convention flyer, Chicago, 1960
• Republican State Convention Delegate ribbon, Geo. C. Lofgren, Decatur, 1960
• Republican State Convention 102nd Session program, Decatur, 1960
• 67th Annual Convention, John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois, Kewanee, 1961
• Smörgåsbord ticket, 1962
• Rotary International Reception Committee ribbon, undated
• 20th Century Railway Men’s Club, Galesburg, undated
IV. Newspaper Clippings
• Newspaper clippings related to the John Ericsson Republican League and related events.
• Years: 1934, 1935, 1948, 1955-1962, and undated.
• Papers: Galesburg Register-Mail, The Daily Register-Mail (Galesburg, IL), Chicago Sunday Tribune, Aurora Beacon-News, Peoria Journal-Star, The Rock Island Argus, Rockford Morning Star, and unknown papers.
• Also includes photocopies of newspapers clippings on archival paper.
• Some clippings in oversized box
V. Photographs
PH 1-37, 39-42: Photographs of conventions and banquets, 1955, 1957, undated
PH 38, 43-48: Photographs from Prince Bertil’s visit, Swedish Pioneer Centennial, 1948
Individuals photographed include:
Carl Ahline, Albert Anderson, Eric Anderson, Eric Axelsen, Ragnar Benson, Harold R. Blomstrand, Fred Bostrom, Oliver Bovik, Russel Carlson, Charles Carpentier, Mrs. Carpentier, Emil Dahlberg, John Philip Dahlberg, John J. Dahlberg, U.S. Senator Everett Dirksen, Lambert Engdahl, Robert Ericson, Russell Ericson, Roy Erickson, Herbert Friedlund, William Gwynn, John Halden, Rog Harding, Elmer Hoffman, N. Chris Jargensen, Ralph B. Johnson, George Larson, Richard Larson, George Lofgren, Mrs. George Lofgren, Carroll H. Nelson, Alfred Nystrom, Clifford Ostrom, C. Henning Peterson, L. Victor Peterson, Charles Rosberg, Elroy Sandquist, Governor William Stratton, Mrs. William Stratton, Chan West, Mrs. Chan West, Prince Bertil of Sweden
Locations include: Galesburg, Chicago, Kewanee, unknown
PH 43-48 in oversized box