Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

MS 85
Alden J. Erskine (1901-1991)
Papers, 1923-1977, undated


Descriptive summary

creator:

Erskine, Alden J. (1901-1991)

title:

Papers

dates:

1923-1977, undated

extent:

11.76 linear feet (27 document boxes, 2 half-document boxes)

collection number:

MS 85

repository:

Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Alden J. Erskine Papers, MS 85, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Biographical note

Conservationist and state legislator, Alden J. Erskine was born May 2, 1901 in Ticonic, Iowa to Arthur and Effie Erskine. He attended the Nebraska School of Agriculture (1920-1921), and then went into the automotive business in Sioux City, Iowa where he owned and operated the United Motors Automobile Maintenance Company for thirty-nine years.

His interest in conservation and environmental preservation began around 1936, and he was a member and leader in many different conservation and environmental groups including the Soil Conservation Society of America, the National Forestry Association, the Sioux City Bird Club, the Iowa Conservation Education Committee, and a founder and board member of the Floyd Valley Watershed Association (Iowa). He also served on the Iowa Governor's Committee on Outdoor Resources (1964-1976). Erskine was very active in the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA), serving as president of the Woodbury County (Iowa) chapter (1950-1953); president of the Iowa Division (1954-1955); National Treasurer (1956-1960); National President (1960-1961); and President of the IWLA Endowment, Inc. (1966).

Erskine received numerous awards for his work in conservation and wildlife preservation including the Distinguished Service Award from IWLA (1955); the Outdoor Sportsman Award for Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota (1959); and the Iowa Wildlife Society Award of Merit (1968).

Erskine, a Republican, served as an Iowa State Senator (1966-1972). He was Chair of the Senate's Conservation and Recreation Committee during the 64th General Assembly and Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources (circa 1970). Erskine served on the following committees as state senator:

62nd General Assembly (1967-1968):
Conservation and Recreation, Government Subdivisions, Safety and Law Enforcement

63rd General Assembly (1969-1970):
Conservation and Recreation, Appropriations, Cities and Towns, Law Enforcement

64th General Assembly (1971-1972):
Conservation and Recreation (Chairman), Constitutional and Reapportionment, Iowa Development, Ways and Means, Assistance Grant Programs Study

Alden Erskine died January 13, 1991.

 

Collection description

The collection (1923-1977, undated) contains correspondence, reports, financial records, minutes, newspaper clippings, photographs, subject files, copies of bills, and printed materials. The bulk of the collection documents Erskine's involvement with the Izaak Walton League of America and his legislative career. Correspondents include Jay N. "Ding" Darling, Ira Gabrielson, Jack Horn, Harold E. Hughes, Hubert H. Humphrey, Carroll Lane, Frank H. Mendell, Sigurd F. Olson, Robert D. Ray, and Bruce F. Stiles.

The conservation materials mainly include documents related to the Izaak Walton League of America, but there are also documents related to the Floyd Valley Watershed Association, Woodbury County Conservation Board, Iowa State Conservation Education Conference, and the Waterfowl Conference. Much of the Izaak Walton League materials document Erskine's involvement in the organization, both locally and nationally; also included is general information such as meeting minutes, newsletters, reports and publications. In addition, there are investigations and reports on water pollution and flood control.

Legislative materials correspondence, subject files, committee files, conservation materials, reports, bills, news releases, and testimonies. Most of the subject files are a part of the committee materials, but also include topics related to conservation and other issues. Correspondence includes incoming and outgoing constituent correspondence and correspondence with other legislators and organizations.

Biographical information on Erskine (including his legislative, organization and conservation activities) can be found in the news clippings folders (Box 29, Folders 1-4).

 

 

Description of series

Series 1

Conservation

1929-1976

extent:

6.93 linear feet (16 document boxes, 1 half-document box)

description:

The series mainly contains records related to the Izaak Walton League of America, but also includes the Floyd Valley Watershed Association, Woodbury County Conservation Board, Iowa State Conservation Education Conference, and the Waterfowl Conference. Much of the Izaak Walton League materials document Erskine's involvement in the organization, both locally and nationally; also included is general information such as meeting minutes, newsletters, reports, publications, and investigations and reports on water pollution and flood control. The series is arranged alphabetically.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Big Sioux Basin: Statement on water resources development

1964

1

2

Big Sioux Flood Control: Correspondence - statement on proposal to straighten the Big Sioux River, remarks, article, Bill S. 2508

1958-1968

1

3

Des Moines River Flood Control: Notice of public hearing, summary of review report for flood control, report of Upper Mississippi Basin Coordinating Committee (Des Moines River Basin is part of Mississippi Basin)

1954-1970

1

4

Floyd Valley Watershed Association: Correspondence, Izaak Walton League Legislative Report, photograph of Governor Herschel C. Loveless (1- 8x10 b/w photograph)

1954-1967

1

5

Floyd Valley Watershed Association: Background information, flood survey interview, speech (considerations for flood control in the Floyd River Basin), Activities of Floyd Valley Extension Conservationist newsletter, The Corps of Engineers' Report on the Floyd River and Its Tributaries, Iowa, Salt-Wahoo Watershed District Project and maps (see map case C406 D03), financial reports, minutes of meetings, correspondence, news releases, biographical notes on Frank H. Mendell and 1- 4 x 5 photograph of Mendell

1953-1969

1

6

Floyd Valley Watershed Association: Finances

1958-1962

1

7

Floyd Valley Watershed Association: Photographs (1- 8x10 b/w, 5- 4x5 b/w photographs)

1958-1962, undated

1

8

Floyd Valley Watershed Association: Promotional material

1956-1963, undated

1

9

Floyd Valley Watershed Control: Newspaper clippings

1953-1955

1

10

Floyd River Control Dedication: Section of Sioux City Sun Journal, dedication program

1964

1

11

Iowa State Conservation Education Conference: Related correspondence, agenda, committees, minutes, invitation lists, draft of reorganization bill for Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Association of County Conservation Boards Conference, Iowa Conservation Commission Equipment budget

1957-1973

1

12

Iowa Wildlife Society Award of Merit: Correspondence

1968

2

1

Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA): Activities Bulletins

1963-1971

2

2

Izaak Walton League of America:Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

1957-1964

2

3-5

Izaak Walton League of America:National committees

1960-1964

2

6

Izaak Walton League of America:Communications - memorandums, speeches, talks, notes

1954-1973, undated

2

7

Izaak Walton League of America:Convention Programs - Erskine (speaker)

1956-1961

2

8-11

Izaak Walton League of America:Correspondence, A-Ch

1950-1975

3

1-11

Izaak Walton League of America:Correspondence, Ch-K

1954-1975

4

1-10

Izaak Walton League of America:Correspondence, L-Q

1950-1975

5

1-8

Izaak Walton League of America:Correspondence, R-T, John W. Tobin

1953-1975

6

1-5

Izaak Walton League of America:Correspondence, U-Z

1948-1975

6

6

Izaak Walton League of America: Newsletters, Correspondence - state newsletters

1954-1957

6

7

Izaak Walton League of America: Echo Park Dam Controversy

1954

6

8

Izaak Walton League of America: Employees Pension Trust - adjusted financial statements, employees pension agreement, amendments, related correspondence

1960-1972

6

9

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc. - brochure and promotional information, definition and explanation of Endowment, Inc.

undated

6

10

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc. - conservation policies, statement of League to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) Review Committee, related correspondence

1963-1964

6

11

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc. - Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA)

1965

6

12-13

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc.

1965-1966

7

1-6

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc.

1966-1969

7

7

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc. - IWLA vs. George W. St. Clair (concerning BWCA)

1969

8

1-4

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc.

1970-1972

8

5

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc. - Gladys Thompson correspondence

1969-1975

8

6

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc. - Jack Horn correspondence

1971-1973

9

1

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc. - Jack Horn correspondence

1974

9

2

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc. - Hoover Foundation

1972

9

3

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc. - Superior National Forest and BWCA area map (see also Map Case C406 D03)

1973

9

4

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc. BWCA material

1973

9

5-6

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc.

1974-1975

9

7

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc. - Wildlife Research Institute, Black Bear Project, Little Miami River and River Ecology, Lorton Site Acquisition Proposal and related correspondence

1976

9

8

Izaak Walton League of America: Endowment, Inc. - news clippings of BWCA

1965-1971

9

9

Izaak Walton League of America: Federal pollution statements

1957-1961, undated

9

10

Izaak Walton League of America: Information on activities of Leagues in other states

1954-1962

9

11

Izaak Walton League of America: Iowa division business
- president expense account (see also box 15)

1954-1955

9

12

Izaak Walton League of America: Iowa division business - reports, roster, minutes, resolutions

1954-1955

9

13

Izaak Walton League of America: Iowa division business - reports of staff meetings

1956

9

14-15

Izaak Walton League of America: Iowa division business - reports, minutes, resolutions, agenda, newsletters

1957-1967

10

1

Izaak Walton League of America: Iowa Division newsletters

1962-1972

10

2

Izaak Walton League of America: Iowa Waltonian (not inclusive)

1953-1973

10

3

Izaak Walton League of America: Leadership conference (Purdue, Lafayette, Indiana)

1960-1961

10

4

Izaak Walton League of America: Leadership conference committee - conference correspondence

1962

10

5-11

Izaak Walton League of America: Membership

1954-1972

10

12

Izaak Walton League of America: National bulletins - sport fishing institute

1972-1975

11

1-5

Izaak Walton League of America: National conventions - minutes, agenda, reports, resolutions, statements, programs, speeches, financial statements

1955-1959

12

1-5

Izaak Walton League of America: National conventions - minutes, agenda, reports, resolutions, statements, programs, speeches, financial statements

1960-1962

13

1-6

Izaak Walton League of America: National conventions - includes minutes, agenda, reports, resolutions, statements, programs, speeches, financial statements

1963-1969

14

1-7

Izaak Walton League of America: National conventions - minutes, agenda, reports, resolutions, statements, programs, speeches, financial statements

1970-1976

15

1

Izaak Walton League of America: National directories

1959-1976

15

2-3

Izaak Walton League of America: National Executive Board meeting minutes

1951-1953

15

4

Izaak Walton League of America: Official programs - national and state

1929-1957

15

5

Izaak Walton League of America: Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission (federal survey with a report presented to the President and Congress in 1962 - see first page in folder for further description and related material)

1957-1970

15

6

Izaak Walton League of America: Outdoor Standards/Conduct Committee - correspondence and news bulletins

1961-1962

15

7

Izaak Walton League of America: Outdoor Writers Club of America

1953-1954

15

8

Izaak Walton League of America: Pamphlets, brochures, promotional materials

undated

15

9

Izaak Walton League of America: President's Advisory Council

1963-1964

15

10

Izaak Walton League of America: Sears and Roebuck Foundation - Better Outdoor Indiana Awards

1961

15

11

Izaak Walton League of America: 27th State (Iowa) Convention - see also box 9

1950

15

12-17

Izaak Walton League of America: state conventions

1953-1973

16

1

Izaak Walton League of America: Statements

1954-1966, undated

16

2

Izaak Walton League of America: Wilderness bill - Jack Miller correspondence

1961-1962

16

3

Izaak Walton League of America: Wildlife

1955-1973, undated

16

4

Izaak Walton League of America: Woodbury County (Iowa) chapter affairs

1949-1970, undated

16

5

Izaak Walton League of America: Young Outdoor Americans

1956

16

6

Izaak Walton League of America: Missouri River Preservation and Development Project

1950-1972

16

7

Izaak Walton League of America: National Wildlife Federation Material

1958-1963

16

8

Izaak Walton League of America: Sioux City: Half Moon Lake

1962, undated

16

9

Izaak Walton League of America: Sioux City Bird Club

1961-1975

16

10

Izaak Walton League of America: Buena Vista District Soil Conservation

1954-1956

16

11

Izaak Walton League of America: Soil conservation information - Soil Bank, Woodbury County Soil Conservation District, Soil Conservation Society of America (SCSA) publications, Jones Creek brochure

1951-1965, undated

16

12

Waterfowl Conference

1955-1956, undated

17

1

Water Pollution: Federal and State - bills, memoranda, reports, booklets, pamphlets, Lower Missouri River Basin Seminar

1953-1972

17

2

Water Pollution Investigation at Sioux City, Iowa

1954

17

3

Watershed Conferences

1955-1964, undated

17

4

Woodbury County Conservation Board: Little Sioux Park

1966-1967

17

5

Woodbury County Conservation Board: Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan

1972

 

Description of series

Series 2

Legislature

1925-1976, undated

extent:

4.41 linear feet (10 document boxes, 1 half-document box)

description:

The series contains correspondence, subject files, committee files, conservation materials, reports, bills, news releases, and testimonies. Most of the subject files are a part of the committee materials, but also include topics related to conservation and other issues. Correspondence includes incoming and outgoing constituent correspondence and correspondence with other legislators and organizations. The series is arranged topically.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

18

1

Abortion bill: Propaganda and congratulatory telegrams

1969

18

2

Abortion bill: Correspondence, A-K

1969-1971

18

3

Abortion bill: Correspondence, L-Z

1969-1971, undated

18

4

Calendars and Committees

1969-1971

18

5

Communications: Speeches, talks, notes, memoranda

1955-1972, undated

18

6

Conferences and ceremonies

1960-1970

18

7

Committees: Appropriations, Soil Conservation Committee budget information, State Budget Report in Total and In Brief

1961-1971

18

8

Committees: Appropriations - correspondence

1969-1970

18

9

Committees: Assistance Grant Programs Study Committee - about social services

1971

18

10

Committees: Cities and Towns - budget, tax and cost information, municipal financing, Synopses of Proposed Bills by League of Municipalities, Municipal Laws Review Study Committee

1966-1970, undated

18

11

Committees: Cities and Towns - proposed budget/levy years, cities and towns millage levies

1969-1974

18

12

Committees: Conservation and Recreation - Committee Journal, Conservation Commission Reports, Stream Classification for Missouri River and Tributaries, Pamphlets, Reservoir and Park Areas

1961-1971

19

1

Committees: Conservation and Recreation (mines): reports, laws, and budget figures

1963-1970

19

2

Committees: Conservation and Recreation (Chairman, Alden Erskine) - contains correspondence, reports, maps, Conservation Commission information, statements, proposed legislation

1967-1971, undated

19

3

Committees: Divorce Laws Study Committee

1968

19

4-5

Committees: Governor's Committee of Outdoor Resources - correspondence, statements, reports

1964-1968, undated

19

6

Committees: Governor's Committee of Outdoor Resources - correspondence and reports

1969-1973, undated

19

7-8

Committees: Governor's Committee of Outdoor Resources, Environmental Preservation Study Committee - contains minutes, statements and agenda

1970

20

1

Committees: Governor's Committee of Outdoor Resources

1974-1976, undated

20

2-3

Committees: Governor's Committee of Outdoor Resources - Environmental Preservation Study Committee, includes "Bill for an Act creating a department of environmental quality and specifying its powers, duties and functions" (Divisions II, III, IV, VI give specifications, testimonies, statements, resolutions, funding)

undated

20

4

Committees: Governor's Education Advisory Committee - recommendations, agenda

1971

20

5

Committees: Government and Sub-Division Committee - charts and statistics concerning Iowa's population and finances

1968-1970, undated

20

6

Committees: Highway Study Committee - federal highway programs study, reports, minutes

1970

20

7

Committees: Iowa Development Committee - subcommittee list, Bill for Act to Create World Exposition Authority

undated

20

8

Committees: Law Enforcement Committee - resolutions, proposals, bills relating to special mobile equipment, membership list, minutes, Survey on Firearms Registration

1970

20

9

Committees: Law Enforcement Committee

1967-1971, undated

20

10

Committees: Tax Study Committee - coin laundries

1970

20

11

Committees: Tax Study Committee - material on assessors and assessment, minutes

1971

20

12

Committees: Tax Study Committee - source materials, membership, tax studies, acts

1971

21

1

Committees: Tax Study Committee - cost of living petitions, reports on taxation, material on tax reforms

1971-1973, undated

21

2

Committees: Tax Study Committee (February-September) - memoranda, testimony, bills, agenda, membership, source material

1972, undated

21

3

Committees: Tax Study Committee (November-December) - agenda, testimony, source material

1972, undated

21

4

Committees: Ways and Means Committee - charts, surveys, reports, Iowa Tax Reform Coalition material, proposed amendments

1969-1973, undated

21

5

Committees: Ways and Means Committee - school aid material

1971-1972

21

6

Conservation: Air pollution - brochure, pictures, news release

1970

21

7

Conservation: Conservation Commission - material on boundaries, adjacent properties, high water marks

1925-1967, undated

21

8

Conservation: Conservation Commission - proposed legislation

1971-1972, undated

21

9

Conservation: Fish and game licenses information

1969-1973, undated

21

10

Conservation: General source material - Water Quality Criteria and Plan for Enforcement of Surface Waters of Iowa, Lake Manawa State Park, Comments on Boat Licensing, 1969 Acreages in Forest Reserve, Estimate of Gasoline Consumption for Marine Purposes, Pesticide Levels in Fish and Bottom Silts

1968-1972

22

1

Conservation: State parks and user fees - papers, reports, statements, State Parks and Preserves in Iowa, correspondence, charts, fee information

1951-1955, undated

22

2-4

Correspondence: General, A-Bu

1966-1975

23

1-10

Correspondence: General, C-K

1954-1975

24

1-10

Correspondence: General, L-Ray, Governor Robert D.

1957-1975

25

1-8

Correspondence: General, S-Z

1954-1975

25

9

Department of Public Safety: Study of Motorcycle Accidents in the State of Iowa (Aurora P. Berenguel)

1967-1970

25

10

Fact Sheets: Pending legislation

1954-1972, undated

26

1

Health Planning in Iowa: Recommendations concerning the improvement of health manpower in Iowa by Committee on Health Manpower

1970-1971

26

2

Highway Beautification

1967

26

3

Highway Commission Information

1957-1972

26

4

House and Senate Directories

1967-1970

26

5

Iowa Association of the Blind: legislation for the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School to the Commission for the Blind

1969

26

6

Iowa Legislative Research Bureau: correspondence and newsletter

1967

26

7

Data on Iowa Schools - public and nonpublic

1969-1970

26

8

Iowa School Facts Proposals 1 and 2

1971-1972

26

9

Iowa School Financing

1964-1972

26

10

Iowa School Reorganization: "Great Plains School Proposal" - correspondence

1969

26

11

Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) material

1966-1967

26

12

Iowa Merit Employment Department: June report

1969

26

13

Legislative Council Report: May
Building Subcommittee Report: November

1972
1970

26

14

Legislative Service Bureau: determinations of need in public assistance programs

1971

27

1

Liquor Control Commission Report

1970

27

2

Nursing Home Inspections

1971

27

3

Politics: senator race, expense receipts, clippings, nomination papers and petitions, correspondence, Republican state correction and program

1964

27

4

Politics: Republican "Ideas for a Better Iowa"

1963-1965

27

5

Politics: senate race, expense receipts, nomination papers, correspondence

1966

27

6

Senate expenses

1967

27

7

Politics: senate race, nomination papers, campaign material and expenses

1970

27

8

Politics: Republican material - state and national

1964-1975

27

9

Politics: Republican National Election material

1976

28

1

Reapportionment: 1970 census population of 64th General Assembly, proposed reapportionment plan LSB-H2 (second revision), population maps

1970-1971

28

2

Reapportionment: report to 64th General Assembly on congressional redistricting

1971

28

3

Reapportionment: redistricting state's congressional districts, material from Attorney General Richard C. Turner

1971

28

4

Reapportionment: redistricting population maps, correspondence

1971, undated

28

5

Sioux City Alcohol Safety Action Project: budget estimate

1971-1975

28

6

Sioux City on state legislation (64th General Assembly)

1968-1972

28

7

Snowmobiles

1968-1970, undated

28

8

Special interest communications to legislators

1968-1972, undated

28

9

Utilities: Iowa Public Service Company, Iowa Commerce Commission problem

1970-1971

28

10

Woodbury County Auditors' Report

1967

28

11

Woodbury County Board of Supervisors

1966-1971

 

Description of series

Series 3

Personal

1923-1977, undated

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 document box)

description:

The series mainly contains documents related to Erskine's involvement with community affairs such as Grace Methodist Church, Morningside Commercial Club, and the Lewis and Clark Historical Association. Some of the materials also include his conservation and legislative activities. Included are newspaper clippings, awards, certificates, business cards, correspondence, and photographs. The news clippings contain biographical information on Erskine, such as his legislative, organization and conservation activities. The community affairs materials contain some correspondence and documentation of Erskine's involvement, but also contain general meeting minutes, pamphlets, brochures, memorandums from others, and printed material.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

29

1-4

News clippings

1950-1970, undated

29

5

Awards, honors, certificates, letters of congratulations, newspaper clippings

1923-1965

29

6

Community Affairs: Grace Methodist Church

1961-1966, undated

29

7

Community Affairs: Lewis and Clark Historical Association

1955-1959

29

8

Community Affairs: Lewis and Clark Historical Association - correspondence, booklet

1962-1969, undated

29

9

Community Affairs: Lewis and Clark Historical Association, Trail Committee and Heritage Foundation

1970-1972

29

10

Community Affairs: Lewis and Clark Historical Association, Trail Committee and Heritage Foundation

1973-1976, undated

29

11

Community Affairs: Morningside Commercial Club

1955-1964

29

12

Community Affairs: Morningside General Hospital

1965

29

13

Community Affairs: Sioux City Municipal Airport

1961-1973

29

14

Correspondence: includes business correspondence

1935-1977, undated

29

15

Business cards, invitations, IWLA Handbook of Instructions, pamphlets, notes

undated

29

16

Photographs: Erskine with organizations and individuals (4- 5 x7 b/w, 5- 4 x 5 b/w, 5- 3.25 x 4 b/w, 1- 8 x 10 b/w)

1952-1973, undated