ELMER J. RYAN:

An Inventory of His Congressional Files at the Minnesota Historical Society

Manuscripts Collection

Expand/CollapseOVERVIEW

Creator: Ryan, Elmer J., 1907-1958, creator.
Title:Congressional files and related papers.
Dates:1905-1971 (bulk 1934-1940).
Abstract:Correspondence and subject files of a three-term Democratic congressman (1935-1941) from Southern Minnesota's second congressional district. Ryan, a South St. Paul, Minnesota attorney, was a law partner and personal friend of Republican Minnesota governor Harold Stassen.
Quantity:13.4 cubic feet (14 boxes).
Location:See Detailed Description section for shelf locations.

Expand/CollapseBIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Elmer J. Ryan was born in Rosemount, Minnesota on May 26, 1907. He was the son of John O. and Agnes T. (Hyland) Ryan. He graduated from Rosemount High School, and attended the college of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.) for two years. Ryan earned an LL.B. degree from the University of Minnesota law school in 1929. In September 1929 he and classmate Harold E. Stassen organized the law firm of Stassen & Ryan in South St. Paul, Minnesota. Ryan served as South St. Paul city attorney from May 1933 to December 1934.

In 1934 Ryan was elected to Congress as a Democrat from Minnesota's second district. He was re-elected in 1936 and 1938, but was defeated in his bid for a fourth term in 1940 by Republican Joseph P. O'Hara. Ryan returned to private practice in South St. Paul after leaving Congress.

Ryan served in the United States Army during World War II, entering active duty on June 23, 1942 as a lieutenant in the Selective Service. He was later promoted to captain and transferred to the Judge Advocate General's department, and still later was promoted to major. Ryan was discharged as a lieutenant colonel on October 1, 1945, and returned to his law practice in South St. Paul. During his years in the military he was stationed in St. Paul and in Washington, D.C.

Ryan served as secretary of the First District Bar Association (1931), was a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a delegate to the 1936 and 1940 Democratic national conventions. Ryan supported Harold Stassen in his successful race for governor of Minnesota (1938), and supported Stassen's bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 1948. Sometime after leaving office he became a Republican himself.

Ryan married Elenor A. Moravec of Glencoe, Minnesota in 1934. The couple had two children, Jacqueline and Elmer, Jr. Elenor died February 4, 1938. He married Marjorie Ann Fuller, originally from Thief River Falls, Minnesota, on July 31, 1939. The couple had four children: John, Geoffrey, Jeremy, and Joseph.

Elmer Ryan was killed in an automobile collision near Somerset, Wisconsin on February 1, 1958. Interment was in Rosemount, Minnesota.


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Expand/CollapseSCOPE AND CONTENTS

The collection consists of correspondence and subject files. Correspondence is organized into county (second district counties) and statewide groupings. Interspersed within the files are newspaper clippings, legislative bills, and miscellaneous government printed materials. There are also a few photographs, some real estate documents (1900s), income tax returns, a baptismal certificate (1915), and some biographical material that was assembled by the cataloger.

There is correspondence with second district constituents and other Minnesotans, federal and state officials and agencies, politicians, businessmen, union officers, pastors, Minnesota newspaper editors, and others concerning issues and legislation, local postmaster appointments, veterans benefit claims, and employment with federal agencies. There is information about Ryan's 1938 and 1940 re-election campaigns and election opponents Chris Gaarenstroom and Joseph P. O'Hara, second district rural electrification projects, law partner and political ally Harold Stassen, constituents' (and Ryan's) opposition to possible American entry into World War II (1940), and planning for the replacement of the famed Spiral Bridge at Hastings, Minnesota (1939-1940).


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Expand/CollapseARRANGEMENT

These documents are organized into the following sections:

District Correspondence Files.
Statewide Correspondence Files.
Subject Files.


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Expand/CollapseADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Elmer J. Ryan Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession numbers: 15,299; 15,563

Processing Information:

Processed by: David B. Peterson, October 2000

Catalog ID number: 990017368210104294


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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Expand/CollapseDISTRICT CORRESPONDENCE FILES

LocationBox
148.F.14.2F1County Correspondence (arranged by county):
Blue Earth County:
Agricultural yearbook requests, 1935.
Census enumerators, 1935-1936.
Claims, 1937-1940.
Correspondence with constituents asking for Ryan's help with various sorts of claims against the federal government.
Congratulatory letters, 1935-1940.
Congressional Record requests, 1934-1936.
Farm Bureau, 1935-1936.
Job seekers, 1939-1940.
Legislative suggestions from constituents, 1939-1940.
Mankato airport as air mail field site, 1938-1940.
Political, 1935-1940.
Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local post masters.
Amboy, 1934-1940.
Eagle Lake, 1936-1937.
Garden City, 1935-1936.
Good Thunder, 1935-1939.
Lake Crystal, 1935-1939.
Madison Lake, 1935-1940.
Mankato, 1935-1939.
Mapleton, 1934-1940.
Pemberton, 1936-1940.
St. Clair, 1939.
Vernon Center, 1938-1939.
Publication requests, 1938-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
Veterans claims, 1935-1940. 2 folders
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1938-1940. 2 folders
Brown County:
Agricultural yearbook requests, 1935.
Congratulatory letters, 1935-1940.
Congressional Record requests, 1935-1936.
Farm Bureau, 1934-1936.
Jobs, 1938-1942.
Legislative suggestions from constituents, 1939-1940.
Old age pensions, 1935-1939.
Political correspondence, 1935-1940.
Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local postmasters.
Cobden, 1934-1940.
Comfrey, 1937-1938.
Essig, 1934-1939.
Evans, 1934-1937.
Hanska, 1934-1940.
New Ulm, 1935-1940.
Searles, 1935-1936.
Sleepy Eye, 1938-1940.
Springfield, 1935-1939.
Publication requests, 1939-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
Sleepy Eye Lake project, 1937-1939.
Veterans claims, 1935-1940.
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1935, 1938-1940. 2 folders
LocationBox
148.F.14.3B2Carver County:
Census enumerators, 1934-1935.
Claims, 1935-1940.
Correspondence with constituents asking for Ryan's help with various sorts of claims against the federal government.
Congratulatory letters, 1935-1939.
Congressional Record requests, 1935.
Farm Bureau, 1936.
Job seekers, 1939-1940.
Legislative suggestions from constituents, 1939-1940.
Old age pensions, 1935-1936.
Political correspondence, 1935-1940.
Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local postmasters.
Bongards, 1936-1937.
Carver, 1935-1940.
Chanhassen, 1938.
Chaska, 1935-1940.
Cologne, 1937-1940.
Hamburg, 1935-1940.
Mayer, 1935-1938.
New Germany, 1935-1940.
Norwood, 1935-1939.
Victoria, 1936-1939.
Waconia, 1935-1939.
Watertown, 1935-1940.
Young America, 1935-1940.
Publication requests, 1939-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
Star routes, 1940.
Veterans claims, 1935-1940.
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1935, 1938-1940.
Cottonwood County:
Agricultural yearbook requests, 1935.
Claims, 1935-1940.
Correspondence with constituents asking for Ryan's help with various sorts of claims against the federal government.
Congratulatory letters, 1934-1939.
Farm Bureau. 1934-1936.
Invitations, 1935.
Job seekers, 1938-1940.
Old age pensions, 1935-1936.
Political correspondence, 1935-1940.
Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local postmasters.
Bingham Lake, 1934-1940.
Delft, 1934.
Jeffers, 1934-1940.
Mountain Lake, 1934-1940.
Storden, 1935-1940.
Westbrook, 1933-1940.
Windom, 1935-1940.
Publication requests, 1939-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
Veterans claims, 1936.
Windom Road, 1935.
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1934-1935, 1938-1940.
Dakota County:
Agricultural yearbook requests, 1935.
Claims, 1935-1940.
Correspondence with constituents asking for Ryan's help with various sorts of claims against the federal government.
Census enumerators, 1934-1935.
Congratulatory letters, 1935-1940.
Congressional Record requests, 1935.
Daulton, Frank J., 1938-1939.
Letters protesting Daulton's dismissal from the Farm Security Administration.
Farm Bureau, 1935-1936.
Hastings bridge, 1939-1940.
Correspondence concerned with replacing the Spiral Bridge at Hastings, Minn.
Hastings lock and dam, 1939-1940.
Jobs, 1940.
Legislative suggestions from constituents, 1938-1940.
Matsch, Louis B.: Injury claim, 1938-1939.
Old age pensions, 1935-1939.
Percy Vittum and Company, 1940.
Political correspondence, 1935-1940.
Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local postmasters.
Farmington, 1936-1940.
Hampton, 1935.
Hastings, 1934-1940.
LocationBox
148.F.14.4F3Hastings, 1934-1940.
Lakeville, 1935-1940.
Mendota, 1940.
Randolph, 1936-1940. 2 folders
Rich Valley, 1935.
Rosemount, 1935-1940.
South St. Paul, 1936-1940.
West St. Paul, 1935-1939.
Publication requests, 1938-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
Star routes, 1939.
Veterans claims, 1934-1939. 2 folders
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1938-1940. 2 folders
Faribault County:
Agricultural yearbook requests, 1935.
Claims, 1933-1936.
Correspondence with constituents asking for Ryan's help with various sorts of claims against the federal government.
Congratulatory letters, 1935-1939.
Farm Bureau, 1935.
Job seekers, 1938-1940.
Legislative suggestions from constituents, 1939-1940.
Old age pensions, 1935.
Political correspondence, 1935-1940.
Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local postmasters.
Blue Earth, 1935-1939.
Delevan, 1935-1940.
Bricelyn, 1934-1940. 2 folders
Elmore, 1935-1940.
Easton, 1935-1940.
Frost, 1934-1937.
Guckeen, 1935.
Kiester, 1934-1939.
Minnesota Lake, 1934-1940.
Wells, 1937-1939.
Winnebago, 1934-1939.
Publication requests, 1939-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
Star routes, 1935-1940.
Veterans claims, 1935.
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1934, 1939-1940.
Jackson County:
Census enumerators, 1934-1935.
Claims, 1935-1940.
Correspondence with constituents asking for Ryan's help with various sorts of claims against the federal government.
Congratulatory letters, 1935-1940.
Farm Bureau, 1936.
Invitations, 1936.
Job seekers, 1939-1940.
Legislative suggestions from constituents, 1938-1940.
Political correspondence, 1936-1940.
Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local postmasters.
Alpha, 1935-1940.
LocationBox
148.F.14.5B4Heron Lake, 1935-1939.
Jackson, 1935-1940.
Lakefield, 1934-1940.
Odin, 1935.
Okabena, 1935-1936.
Wilder, 1937-1938.
Publication requests, 1938-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
Star routes, 1935-1939.
Veterans claims, 1935-1939.
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1935, 1938-1940.
LeSueur County:
Agricultural yearbook requests, 1935.
Census enumerators, 1935.
Claims, 1935-1940.
Correspondence with constituents asking for Ryan's help with various sorts of claims against the federal government.
Congratulatory letters, 1935-1939.
Farm Bureau, 1934-1936.
Job seekers, 1937-1940.
Kasota stone, 1935-1940.
Legislative suggestions from constituents, 1938-1940.
Novak, Dr. E. E., 1938-1940.
Concerns appointment of Novak, of New Prague, Minnesota, to the University of Minnesota [?] Board of Regents.
Old age pensions, 1935-1938.
Political correspondence, 1935-1940.
Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local postmasters.
Cleveland, 1935-1937.
Doyle, 1935.
Elysian, 1935-1937.
Kasota, 1935-1940.
Kilkenny, 1935.
Le Center, 1934-1940.
LeSueur, 1935-1940.
Montgomery, 1935-1939.
New Prague, 1935-1939.
Ottawa, 1936-1940.
Waterville, 1935-1940. 2 folders
Publication requests, 1939-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
Veterans claims, 1935-1939. 2 folders
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1939-1940.
Martin County:
Agricultural yearbook requests, 1935.
Claims, 1935-1940.
Correspondence with constituents asking for Ryan's help with various sorts of claims against the federal government.
Congratulatory letters, 1935-1939.
Farm Bureau, 1935-1936.
Handevidt, Nels: Ladies Home Journal story, 1940.
Magazine feature story, and related correspondence, about a Martin County farm family.
Job seekers, 1939-1940.
Legislative suggestions from constituents, 1938-1940.
Political correspondence, 1935-1940.
Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local postmasters.
Ceylon, 1938-1939.
Dunnell, 1935-1938.
Fairmont, 1935-1940.
LocationBox
148.F.14.6F5Granada, 1934-1940.
Monterey, 1935.
Sherburn, 1935-1937.
Triumph, 1935-1937.
Truman, 1934-1940. 2 folders
Welcome, 1934-1939.
Postal employees: Charges against, 1935.
Publications requested, 1938-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
Star routes, 1937.
Veterans claims, 1934-1938.
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1934, 1938-1940.
McLeod County:
Agricultural yearbook requests, 1935.
Census enumerators, 1934-1935.
Claims, 1935-1940.
Correspondence with constituents asking for Ryan's help with various sorts of claims against the federal government.
Congratulatory letters, 1934-1940.
Farm Bureau, 1936.
Invitations, 1935.
Job seekers, 1940.
Legislative suggestions from constituents, 1938-1940.
Old age pensions, 1935.
Political correspondence, 1940.
Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local postmasters.
Biscay, 1936.
Brownton, 1934-1939.
Glencoe, 1935-1940.
Hutchinson, 1939-1940.
Lester Prairie, 1935-1938.
Plato, 1936-1940.
Stewart, 1933-1939.
Silver Lake, 1935-1939.
Sumter, 1937.
Winstead, 1935-1940.
Publication requests, 1939-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
Star routes, 1938.
Veterans claims, 1935-1937.
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1935, 1939-1940.
Nicollet County:
Agricultural yearbook requests, 1935.
Claims, 1936-1939.
Correspondence with constituents asking for Ryan's help with various sorts of claims against the federal government.
Congratulatory letters, 1935-1940.
Farm Bureau, 1936.
Job seekers, 1938-1940.
Legislative suggestions from constituents, 1939-1940.
Old age pensions, 1935.
Political correspondence, 1935-1939.
Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local postmasters.
Courtland, 1934-1935.
Lafayette, 1938-1940.
Nicollet, 1936-1940.
St. Peter, 1935-1938.
Publication requests, 1939-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
Star routes, 1939.
Veterans claims, 1935-1940.
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1939-1940.
Scott County:
Agricultural yearbook requests, 1935.
Census enumerators, 1935.
Claims, 1935-1940.
Correspondence with constituents asking for Ryan's help with various sorts of claims against the federal government.
Congratulatory letters, 1935-1940.
Farm Bureau, 1934-1936.
Job seekers, 1935-1940.
Legislative suggestions from constituents, 1939-1940.
Northwest Distilleries, 1934-1935.
Old age pensions, 1935-1938.
Political correspondence, 1936-1940.
Publication requests, 1939-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
LocationBox
148.I.14.5B6Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local postmasters.
Belle Plaine, 1935-1939.
Blakeley, 1935-1940.
Jordan, 1934-1940.
Mudbaden, 1937-1938.
New Market, 1936-1939.
Prior Lake, 1935-1938.
Savage, 1935-1939.
Shakopee, 1935-1940.
Star routes, 1935-1939.
Veterans claims, 1933-1940. 2 folders
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1938-1940.
Sibley County:
Agricultural yearbook requests, 1935.
Census enumerators, 1935-1936.
Claims, 1935-1940.
Correspondence with constituents asking for Ryan's help with various sorts of claims against the federal government.
Congratulatory letters, 1935-1940.
Farm Bureau, 1934-1936.
Invitations, 1935.
Job seekers, 1938-1940.
Legislative suggestions from constituents, 1937-1940.
Old age pensions, 1935.
Political correspondence, 1934-1940.
Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local postmasters.
Arlington, 1934-1939.
Gaylord, 1936-1940.
Gibbon, 1935-1940.
Green Isle, 1936-1939.
Henderson, 1935-1940.
New Auburn, 1936-1940.
Winthrop, 1935-1940.
Publication requests, 1939-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
Star routes, 1935.
Veterans claims, 1935-1937.
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1939-1940.
Watonwan County:
Agricultural yearbook requests, 1935.
Congratulatory letters, 1934-1939.
Farm Bureau, 1934-1936.
Job seekers, 1939-1940.
Legislative suggestions, 1939-1940.
Old age pensions, 1934-1936.
Political correspondence, 1935-1940.
Post offices:
Primarily letters from constituents containing complaints about mail delivery service or specific local post offices, or relating to appointment of local postmasters.
Butterfield, 1939-1940.
Darfur, 1938.
Grogan, 1937.
Lewisville, 1935-1940.
Madelia, 1934-1940.
Odin, 1935.
St. James, 1935-1940.
Publication requests, 1938-1940.
Requests from constituents for various government publications.
Miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1935-1936, 1939-1940.
County Correspondence (arranged by correspondent):
Correspondence, telegrams, and newspaper clippings relating to politics and political matters, postmaster appointments, and applications for federal positions.
Dempsey, Charles (St. Peter, Minn.), 1938-1940.
Glotzbach, Linus (Brown County), 1935-1936.
Grogan, B. D. (Blue Earth County), 1935.
Juliar, Nicholas (Blue Earth County), 1935-1936.
Kelm, Elmer (Chanhassen, Minn.), 1936-1940. 2 folders
McCarthy, John (Montgomery, Minn.), 1938-1940.
Montgomery was Ryan's secretary in Washington, D.C. File includes McCarthy's application for a position in the Minnesota Department of Social Security and typescript copies of Ryan's "Observations" newspaper columns and constituent newsletters.
Mueller, W. J. (Brown County), 1935-1936.
Murphy, D.V. (Faribault County), 1935-1936.
Nachbar, Clem (Blue Earth County), 1935-1937.
Noonan, Edward (Watonwan County), 1936-1939.
LocationBox
148.I.14.6F7Olson, S. I. (Dakota County), 1935-1938.
Regan, John (Blue Earth County), 1935-1936.
Sterner, J. J. (McLeod County), 1935.
Stassen, Harold E. (Dakota County), 1938-1940.
Stassen was Governor of Minnesota.
Stassen, Violet (Dakota County), 1935-1940.
Seifert, Alex (Brown County), 1935-1936.
Suel, Art (LeSueur County), 1937-1939.
Wiederhold, A. C. (Dakota County), 1937-1940. 2 folders

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Expand/CollapseSTATEWIDE CORRESPONDENCE FILES

LocationBox
148.I.14.6F7State Correspondence (arranged by correspondent):
Butler, Robert, 1935.
Christgau, Vic, 1935-1940.
Devaney, John P., 1936-1937.
Devaney was Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Ellingson, Emery (Minneapolis, Minn.), 1937-1938.
Erickson, John P., 1936.
Fuller, Marjorie, 1915, 1939.
Includes her baptismal certificate (1915) and information about her marriage to Elmer J. Ryan.
Gallagher, Thomas, 1937.
Higgins, Frank, 1935-1936.
Hoidale, Einar, 1934-1936.
Kelly, Fallon, 1939.
Landy, J. R., 1937-1938.
Meighen, John F. D., 1936-1937.
Moonan, Joe, 1937-1938.
Mullin, G. T., 1938-1939.
O'Connor, P. J., 1938-1940.
O'Connor was a personnel officer in the Minnesota Department of Administration and Finance.
Olson, Floyd B., 1934-1935.
Olson was governor of Minnesota.
Quealy, Howard, 1935-1940.
Regan, John E., 1935-1936.
Rogers, Donald C. (Minneapolis, Minn.), 1935-1937.
Schilpin, Fred, 1934-1938.
Suel, John L., 1934-1937.
Trimble, South, 1934-1938.
Trimble was clerk of the United States House of Representatives.
Williamson, George, 1935-1939.
State General Correspondence:
Originally called "miscellaneous" correspondence. Includes correspondence and memoranda, clippings, and miscellaneous papers arranged alphabetically by correspondent. Statewide in scope. Relates to issues, legislation, thanks for favors, etc. Correspondents include businessmen, federal and state government officials, union officers, democratic party officials and organizations, and private groups.
A-G, 1934-1940. 8 folders
H-K, 1934-1940. 5 folders
LocationBox
148.I.14.7B8L-P, 1934-1940. 7 folders
Q-V, 1934-1940. 7 folders
W-Z, 1934-1940. 2 folders
State Jobs Correspondence:
Correspondence with constituents and others seeking Ryan's help securing employment with federal and state agencies and programs. Other correspondents include businessmen, politicians, friends, church officials, state agencies, and the United States Civil Service Commission.
A-G, 1938-1940. 7 folders
H-N, 1938-1940. 9 folders
LocationBox
148.I.14.8F9O-V, 1938-1940. 7 folders
W-Z, 1938-1940. 2 folders

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Expand/CollapseSUBJECT FILES

LocationBox
148.I.14.8F9Agriculture correspondence, 1938-1939.
Agriculture information, 1938-1939.
Agricultural yearbooks, 1938.
Newspaper clippings and lists of county agricultural conservation association township committeemen. There are no yearbooks in the file.
Appointments, 1938-1939.
Associated Letter Service (Saint Paul, Minn.), 1938.
Bills:
H.J.Res.24, 1936.
H.J.Res.90: Sale of postage stamps, 1935-1939.
H.R.2356: Relief of international grain, 1939-1940.
H.R.3160: Ryan-Lundeen educational bill, 1937.
H.R.3239: Relief of Captain James W. Darr, 1936-1939.
H.R.3911: Relief of Floyd L. Jones, 1939.
H.R.3912: Relief of heirs of John Cauley, deceased, 1939-1940.
H.R.4334: Relief of G. E. Blaul, 1932-1937.
H.R.4335: Relief of Dr. C.A. and Marion Sotaaen, 1934-1937.
H.R.4941: Relief of Rogowski brothers, 1935-1937.
H.R.4942: Relief of A. L. Mallery, 1936-1937.
H.R.8311: Milk investigation, 1938.
H.R.8579: Relief of Michael Goetz, et al., 1940.
H.R.7466: Refrigerator car bill, 1939-1940. 2 folders
H.R.7967: National War Labor Board award, 1939-1940.
H.R.9676: Relief of Edmund P. Gould, 1939-1940.
H.R.10111: Relief of Katherine F. McCue, 1940.
Bills in connection with re-election campaign, 1940.
Bills introduced, 1938-1940.
Buley, Mrs. Sarah, 1939.
Campaign (1938):
Campaign material, 1938-1939.
Campaign workers, 1938.
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1938.
Form letters, 1938.
Gaarenstroom, Chris, 1938.
Newspaper articles and election campaign advertisements. Gaarenstroom was an election opponent of Ryan, evidently running as an independent for the second district congressional seat.
O'Hara, Joseph P., 1938.
Newspaper articles and election campaign advertisements. O'Hara, a Republican, ran against Ryan for the second district congressional seat.
Ryan newspaper advertisements, 1938.
Campaign (1940):
Campaign material, 1940.
Clippings, 1940.
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1940.
Form letters, 1940.
Newspaper advertisements, 1939-1940.
Newspaper advertisements for both Ryan and his Republican opponent, Joseph P. O'Hara.
Census correspondence, 1939-1940.
LocationBox
148.I.14.9B10Census correspondence, 1939-1940. 2 folders
Central Co-operative Association, 1936-1937.
Civilian Conservation Corps, 1940.
Claim: Kozlac, Joseph, 1937-1940.
Includes H.J.Res. 421 and H.R. 7043.
Claims (state), 1937-1940.
Committee assignments, 1938-1939.
Committee lists, undated.
Unidentified lists of individuals in the various counties comprising the second congressional district. Perhaps of political significance.
Committee of 87, 1937.
Congratulatory letters, 1940.
Congressional Record, 1938-1940.
Cooperative Committee (Washington, D.C.), 1936.
Crop and seed loan (1938), 1938-1939.
Crop insurance: District, 1938-1939.
Crop insurance: State, 1938-1939.
Democratic caucus, 1935.
Democratic county conventions, undated and 1935.
Democratic National Committee, 1938-1940.
Democratic National Congressional Committee, 1939-1940.
Democratic National Convention, 1940. 2 folders
Democratic State Central Committee, 1940.
Doerty, Fred, 1939.
Doerty was vice president and general counsel for the Great Northern Railway Company.
Editorials: Joe Ball, etc., 1940.
Election returns, 1938. 2 folders
Farm Credit Administration, 1939-1940.
Farm Security Administration: Jobs, 1938-1940.
Farm tenancy program, 1939.
Federal Housing Administration, 1938-1940.
Federal Land Bank (1939), 1938.
Federal Trade Act, undated.
Finnegan floor stock refund claim, 1938.
Fish, 1938-1940.
Freeman, R. S., 1937-1938.
Friant list, 1938-1940.
Highways, 1938-1940.
Home Owners Loan Corporation, 1936-1940.
Immigration and naturalization cases, 1937-1940. 2 folders
Interstate and foreign commerce, 1939-1940.
Invitations, 1938-1940.
Jobs:
Information, 1938-1939.
Secured, 1939-1940.
Knights, I. K., 1938-1939.
Lauerman, Senator Leo J., 1949-1953.
Lebak, P. H.: Bulletins, 1936-1938.
Legislation:
Barden bill, 1939-1940.
Conscription bill, 1940. 2 folders
LocationBox
148.I.14.10F11Conscription legislation, 1940.
Dies Committee continuation (H.R.321), 1938-1940.
Dies investigation of un-American activities.
Extension of Social Security Act, 1939-1940.
Frazier-Lemke Farm Refinance Bill, 1935-1939.
Grain claim, 1937-1940.
Jones Farm Credit Bill (H.R.8748), 1940.
Kansas Pipe Line & Gas Company loan, 1940.
Labor relations acts, homestead liens, Small Loan Act [ca.1939?].
Motor Vehicle Act (H.R.9739), 1938-1940.
Neely bill, 1940.
Neutrality legislation suggestions, 1939.
Old age assistance (Townsend bill, H.R.8264):
Correspondence, 1939-1940.
Letters to answer, 1940.
Patman banking bill (H.R.7230), undated.
Patman chain store bill (H.R.1), 1939-1940.
Processing tax refund (H.R.474), 1938-1940.
Ramspeck bill: Civil Service (H.R.960), 1940.
Ramspeck bill: Placing postmasters under Civil Service, 1937.
Short line railroads (H.R.3400), 1939-1940. 2 folders
Small telephone companies wage-hour exemption, 1939.
Spanish embargo, 1938-1940. 2 folders
Special delivery messengers (H.R.8733), 1940.
Townsend bill and petition, 1940.
Letters from constituents urging Ryan's support of the bill.
Transportation Act of 1939 (H.R.4862), 1939.
Unemployment compensation bills, 1939.
Wagner Act: Sen. Burke's amendments (S.1264), 1939.
Wheeler transportation bill (S.2009), 1940.
Widows and orphans bill (H.R.7980), 1940.
Works Progress Administration, 1940.
Lenihan, Joe, undated.
Correspondence with Lenihen, president of the Natural Gas Consumers' Research Bureau, Inc., concerning a bill to be introduced in the Minnesota state legislature dealing with regulation of natural gas pipelines and rates charged for natural gas.
Letter contact lists, 1938. 2 folders
Letters of condolence, 1940.
Received from friends and supporters after losing his 1940 re-election bid.
Letters of endorsement, 1935-1940.
LocationBox
148.I.15.1B12Letters received, 1940.
Photostatic copies; various topics.
Lindley, Alfred D., 1948-1951.
Liquor Control Act, 1939.
Lists:
Jobs, 1939.
Miscellaneous, undated and 1938-1940.
Lists submitted to Terence Hynes, 1938-1939.
Livestock Marketing Association, 1937.
MacKinnon, George E., 1946-1953.
Military academy appointments correspondence, 1937-1941. 2 folders
Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway, 1939.
Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad, 1935-1938.
National Union for Social Justice, 1936.
Includes correspondence with radio broadcaster Father Charles E. Coughlin, Royal Oak, Michigan.
National Youth Administration Program, 1939-1940.
Naval academy appointments correspondence, 1939-1941. 3 folders
News releases, 1940.
Newspaper clippings, 1935-1940.
Newspapers, 1938-1940.
Ochs, Harry, 1940.
Philippine problems, 1938.
Photographs, undated and 1937-1940.
Black-and-white 8 x 10 enlargements and snapshots. Many of the photographs are not identified. Include portraits of Ryan, pictures of Ryan with other politicians (Senator Henrik Shipstead, Governor Harold Stassen, et al.), and a photograph that includes President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Photographers include Kenneth M. Wright Studio and Carl O. Erickson, both of St. Paul.
Political correspondence: State, 1940.
Politics: State campaign, 1940.
Post Office correspondence concerning mail delivery in Mankato, 1939-1940.
Post offices in Minnesota, 1938-1940. 2 folders
Precinct workers, 1936, 1938.
Private and public benefits, 1940.
Public Works Administration:
Jobs, 1938-1940.
Projects, 1938-1940. 2 folders
Publications (constituent requests for), 1938-1940.
Quetico Superior Committee, 1936-1938.
Radio, 1938-1939.
Rahn, A. A. D., 1938.
Reciprocal trade agreements, 1937-1938.
Reconstruction Finance Corporation, 1938-1940.
Resettlement Administration, 1936-1937.
Resolutions, 1939.
Rhoads property (South Saint Paul, Minn.), 1905-1908, 1938-1940.
Rural Electrification Administration projects in Minnesota:
No. 15: Faribault County, 1936-1940.
No. 25: McLeod County, 1936-1940.
No. 35: Brown County, 1938-1940.
LocationBox
148.I.15.2F13No. 37: Jackson County, 1936-1940.
No. 55: Watonwan-Cottonwood counties, 1937-1940.
No. 60: Redwood County, 1936-1939.
No. 65: Dakota County, 1936-1940.
No. 71: Blue Earth County, 1937-1938.
Scott-Carver-LeSueur counties project, 1936-1940. 2 folders
Miscellaneous correspondence, 1938-1940.
Ryan, Elmer J.:
Biographical information, 1935, 1958, 1971.
Newspaper obituaries and other information assembled by the cataloger.
Military service (Infantry Reserve), 1937-1940.
Personal, 1938-1940. 2 folders
Includes Ryan's federal income tax returns for tax years 1937 and 1938.
Personal, 1939. 2 folders
Includes Ryan's Minnesota individual income tax return for tax year 1938 and information about Marjorie Fuller.
Social Security, 1936-1940.
Speaking engagements, 1938-1940.
Speech material:
1936-1940. 3 folders
The third folder includes a copy of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's inaugural address (March 4, 1933).
War, undated and 1940.
Speeches:
Keynote speech, 1935-1940.
Lundeen and McCarran, 1940.
Stassen for Governor volunteers, 1935-1939. 2 folders
Stassen-Ryan, 1938-1939.
Story of the Constitution letters, 1937-1938.
This was a publication that Ryan made available through his office to Dakota County school teachers.
Tennessee Valley Authority, 1939.
Thank-you letters, 1940.
Twin City Milk Producers Association, 1940.
Unicameral legislatures, 1934.
Includes a research paper prepared at the request of California legislators by research assistant Dean E. McHenry, of the University of California-Berkeley.
Veterans Benefits (House document no. 666), 1940.
Von Drasek, Joe, 1938-1940. 2 folders
LocationBox
148.I.15.3B14Voting record, 1935-1940. 2 folders
War, 1940. 3 folders
Primarily letters from constituents urging that the United States remain neutral and keep itself out of "the European War." Ryan himself at this time apparently supported American neutrality.
Weekly letters, 1939-1940. 2 folders
Weekly newspaper columns ("Observations"). The file includes typewritten/mimeographed versions, and published versions cut out of second district newspapers.
Works Progress Administration:
Jobs, 1936-1940.
Projects, etc., 1938-1940.

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Expand/CollapseRELATED MATERIALS

The Harold Stassen Papers are in the Minnesota Historical Society manuscript collections.

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Expand/CollapseCATALOG HEADINGS

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:
Elections -- Minnesota.
Lawyers -- Minnesota -- South Saint Paul.
Neutrality -- United States.
Political campaigns -- Minnesota.
Postal service -- Minnesota.
Spiral Bridge (Hastings, Minn.).
World War, 1939-1945 -- United States.
Places:
Blue Earth County (Minn.).
Brown County (Minn.).
Carver County (Minn.).
Cottonwood County (Minn.).
Dakota County (Minn.).
Faribault County (Minn.).
Jackson County (Minn.).
LeSueur County (Minn.).
Martin County (Minn.).
McLeod County (Minn.).
Minnesota -- Politics and Government -- 1858-1950.
Nicollet County (Minn.).
Scott County (Minn.).
Sibley County (Minn.).
Watonwan County (Minn.).
Persons:
Coughlin, Charles E. (Charles Edward), 1891-1979.
Gaarenstroom, Chris (Christian F.), 1887-1971.
O'Hara, Joseph Patrick, 1895-1975.
Stassen, Harold E. (Harold Edward), 1907-2001.
Organizations:
Democratic Party (U.S.).
United States. Congress. House.
United States. Rural Electrification Administration.
Occupations:
Legislators -- United States.
Politicians -- Minnesota.

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