JOSEPH C. SIMONSON:

Joseph Simonson was born May 24, 1904 on a farm in Fillmore County near Lanesboro, Minnesota. He graduated from St. Olaf College (Northfield, Minn.) in 1925 and from Luther Theological Seminary (St. Paul) in 1931. He also studied law at George Washington University (Washington, D.C.) from 1926 to 1928, receiving an honorary LL.D. from Concordia College (Moorhead, Minn.) in 1952.

While studying law in Washington, D.C., Simonson served as secretary to Congressman August Andresen. He continued his interest in politics by serving as chaplain in the Minnesota State Senate, 1941-1951. In 1953 he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, serving until 1957.

After his graduation from Luther Theological Seminary, Simonson served as pastor at churches in Chicago, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. He was active in religious, civic, and political organizations.

Simonson married Sylvia Rusley of Forest Lake, Iowa on November 10, 1927. They had two daughters: Carmen Joan Simonson (Mrs. Sidney Eisensmith) who died March 18, 1978; and, Lois Simonson (Mrs. Lionel Mosling). Joseph Simonson died in 1985. His wife died in 1996.

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Diaries, biographical information, and photographs of a Lutheran clergyman who served as minister to congregations in Chicago, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The diaries contain regular entries, with the exception of 1940-1941, describing Simonson's daily life and activities. Biographical information includes a resume. The photographs depict Simonson's diplomatic service in Ethiopia.

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Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Joseph Simonson Diaries and Related Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 13,570

Processing Information:

Processed by: Bonnie Palmquist, October 1985; Monica Manny Ralston, March 1999

Catalog ID number: 990017353630104294

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A book about Lutheran pastoral ethics and a children's book about Ethiopia, both authored by Joseph Simonson, are available in the Minnesota Historical Society's library.

A transcript of an interview with Joseph Simonson and his wife Sylvia, conducted on November 14, 1970 by members of the Goodhue County Historical Society, is available in the library's oral history collections.

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This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:

Diplomatic and consular services, American -- Ethiopia.

Lutheran Church -- United States.

Places:

Ethiopia.

Minnesota -- Politics and government -- 1918- .

United States -- Foreign relations -- 1953-1961.

United States -- Foreign relations -- Ethiopia.

Types of Documentation:

Diaries.

Photographs.

Occupations:

Ambassadors -- United States.

Clergy -- United States.

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