Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Herbert E. Olson letters

Abstract

The Herbert E. Olson letters (dated 1918; 0.06 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprise letters from family and friends sent to Herbert while serving in the US Army in Wisconsin in the final months of World War I.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Herbert E. Olson letters
Date
1918 September-December (inclusive)
Creator
Olson, Herbert E., 1897-1983
Extent
0.06 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Business enterprises
Correspondence.
Family.
Friendship.
Gossip.
Letters.
Military life.
World War, 1914-1918.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0477: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Herbert E. Olson letters, 1918 September-December, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Herbert E. Olson (1897-1983) was born in Ironwood, Michigan to Gustaf Olson (1861-1949) and Emma Norling (b. 1873). Herbert worked as a clerk in his family's store, however from October to December of 1918; he served in the US Army. No other biographical information available.
American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
Scope and Content
The Herbert E. Olson letters (dated 1918; 0.06 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprise letters from family and friends sent to Herbert while serving in the US Army in Wisconsin in the final months of World War I. The letters mainly came from his father and brothers and discuss advice for serving in the military, the family store, daily life, and the excitement of the war ending. Friends also wrote to Herbert, discussing their daily lives during the war, visits from other friends, and hopes that he is doing well while serving in the military. Also included in the collection is one copy of a "War Summary".
The Herbert E. Olson letters are part of the Wade Hall Collection of American Letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Letters to Herbert E. Olson, 1918 October-December

  • Box WH-31, folder 8
To top

"War Summary" newsletter, 1918 September

  • Box WH-31, folder 9
To top

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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.