Administrative Information | Search Terms | Background Note | Scope and Contents Note | Arrangement | PDF of Finding Aid
 

COLLECTION SUMMARY

Title:     Sigurd Anderson papers

Dates:     1951-1964 (bulk 1951-1954)

Creator:     Sigurd Anderson

Physical Description:     0.42 linear feet—1 container

Collection number:     MA 13

Language:     Collection material in English.

Repository:     South Dakota State University Archives, Hilton M. Briggs Library, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D.

Abstract:     Collection is composed of addresses given by Sigurd Anderson while he served as Federal Trade Commissioner. Collected addresses cover topics of interest to Anderson while he was governor of South Dakota.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Provenance:     This collection of papers was donated by Kristin Anderson, Sigurd Anderson's daughter, along with a collection of Civil War and South Dakota history books in 1992.  The books were added to the library’s general and South Dakota collections.

Access Restrictions:     This collection is open to research without restriction. Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Copyright Status:     Copyright 2008 by South Dakota State University and SDSU Archives. Please credit the SDSU Archives if you copy or reproduce material from this finding aid.

It is the responsibility of anyone reproducing material to determine the copyright holders and obtain permission from them if necessary. Archives staff will provide available copyright information on request. Please note that most collections, especially those received before 1997, may not have complete information on file. (Revised 15 SEP 2003)

Preferred Citation:     [Identification of item]. Sigurd Anderson papers, MA 13, South Dakota State University Archives, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D.

Processing Information:    This collection was processed by Crystal J. Gamradt on 6 July 1998 with revisions on June 25, 2008 (cjg).

SELECTED SEARCH TERMS

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the subject guide. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.

Names:

• Anderson, Sigurd, 1904-1990.

 Subjects:

• Governors—South Dakota.

• United States. Federal Trade Commission.

BACKGROUND NOTE

Sigurd Anderson, the 19^th governor of South Dakota, was born on an island near of city of Arendal, Norway, on January 22, 1904.  His parents were Karl and Bertha Anderson.  His family came to America in 1908 and settled on a farm 10 miles southwest of Canton, in Lincoln County, South Dakota.  Anderson attended Pleasant Ridge School, District No. 11 and graduated from the high school in 1925.  That same year the Anderson family moved to a farm in Kingsbury County, near Bancroft, South Dakota.  In the fall of 1925, Sigurd entered South Dakota State College.  He was very active in public speaking, literary and journalistic activities.  During this school year, he suffered from scarlet fever, which prevented his return to college the following fall.  In order to secure funds to continue his education, he worked as a farm hand and taught rural school in Kingsbury County, SD.  In 1928, Anderson enrolled at the University of South Dakota [USD], and graduated in 1931 with cum laude honors.

After his graduation, he taught high school history in Rapid City and Webster, South Dakota.  In 1935, he returned to USD and graduated in 1937 with a degree in law.  Prior to graduation from the university he married Vivian Walz of Vermillion, SD.  They had one daughter, Kristin, who resides in Okemos, Michigan.

Anderson set up a law practice in Webster, SD in 1937 and was twice elected Day County state's attorney.  In 1950, Anderson was elected governor of South Dakota after winning the GOP nomination in a five-way battle.  His re-election in 1952 marked the only time a candidate for South Dakota governor has received more that 200,000 votes in a general election.  It was during his administration that the Legislative Research Council was established.  It was also during this time that the state had a debt free status--the first time in 40 years.

After Anderson's second term ended, he was appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to serve on the Federal Trade Commission [FTC].  He was re-appointed in 1958 to a 7-year term, and resigned from the FTC in 1964 to return to Webster, where he resumed his law practice.

In 1964, Anderson once again announced his candidacy for governor, but lost the GOP gubernatorial primary to Nils Boe, who later became governor.  Boe appointed Anderson to fill a vacancy as a circuit judge.  Anderson retired as a circuit judge in 1975.  Sigurd received dozens of professional and political honors and was a member of numerous organizations.

Sigurd Anderson died December 21, 1990.

SCOPE and CONTENTS NOTE

This collection is composed of addresses given by Sigurd Anderson while he served as Federal Trade Commissioner. Collected addresses cover topics of interest to Anderson while he was governor of South Dakota.

The Addresses are composed of addresses given by and collected by Sigurd Anderson.  The addresses given by Sigurd Anderson are mainly from his service as Federal Trade Commissioner covering the years 1957-1964.  These are speeches that were given to several associations and organizations throughout the United States. 

The Collected addresses are composed of addresses collected by Anderson are from the early to mid-1950's and deal mainly with subjects of interest to him as governor of South Dakota. 

The Miscellaneous series is composed of appropriations lists for funds of the state of South Dakota, and an article written about Anderson's early years in South Dakota and his becoming governor. 

ARRANGEMENT of the RECORDS

The Sigurd Anderson Papers are arranged into three series: Addresses, Collected addresses, and Miscellaneous.

Folders are arranged in alphabetical order within each series.

SERIES 1:      Addresses

Box 1.

SERIES 2:      Collected addresses

Box 1.

SERIES 3:      Miscellaneous

Box 1.

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