Jim Holmlund Photographs

Collection

Identifier: MSS 120

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The photographs taken by James O. Holmlund generally are not dated nor is there much information about them. The photographs taken by others were sent to him to help add photographic interest to his stories of the area and some exist only in copy negative form, while others are vintage and yet others are positive reprints. Most of these photos are of Bangor and West Salem, Wis., people and scenes from the past, including Steensen Mill, Neshonoc Dam, the Jones family farm near Bangor, and Bangor village scenes.

Some notable photographs that Holmlund took include Olga Bennett, the first woman judge in Vernon County, Wisconsin; George McGovern (his backside) while greeting supporters; and Vernon Thomson, state politician. Holmlund was most noted for his rural and farm scenes of the greater Coulee Region.

Among the more notable photographs that were taken by other people include a promotional photograph of Dallas Weekley and Nancy Arganbright, a one-piano, four hands team; and scenes from Bangor and West Salem, both villages in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, dating from around 1890s-1920s.

Dates

1890s-1980s

Creator

Holmlund, Jim (James O.) (Person)

Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for patron use.

Biographical Note

James O. “Jim” Holmlund was born in Bangor, Wis., on Sept. 6, 1918, to Olaf O. and Ruth Myrtle (Erickson) Holmlund. He attended Luther College in Decorah, IA, from 1936-1940 pursuing a degree in journalism, and then enlisted in the U. S. Army and served in World War II. He served in the North African and Italian campaigns and was awarded the Bronze Star for the Anzio invasion and later a Purple Heart for wounds received from German bombings.

Following World War II, Holmlund joined the Army Reserve where he served until retiring in 1970 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. In 1994, Holmlund was awarded the National ROA’s Ben Franklin Award for Excellence in Journalism. He was a member of the Reserve Officers Association and the Order of The Purple Heart.

He moved to La Crosse, Wis., in 1947, and worked for the La Crosse Tribune as a news reporter from 1948-1968, thereafter establishing his own business, the Independent News and Features where he served as a freelance writer and photographer. Many stories were published in the La Crosse County Countryman newspaper.

In 1948, he married Naomi Nell Roy in Sparta, Wis., and they had a son Peder “Pete” and a daughter Jane Erica together. Holmlund also had a brother Robert, and two sisters, Virginia and Geneva. Holmlund died in La Crosse, Wis., in 2001. He was also active in the First Congregational Church UCC of La Crosse and performed in the church choir.

Extent

0.4 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

James O. “Jim” Holmlund was born in Bangor, Wis., in 1918. He attended Luther College in Decorah, IA, from 1936-1940 pursuing a degree in journalism, and then enlisted in the U. S. Army and served in World War II. He served in the North African and Italian campaigns and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He moved to La Crosse, Wis., and worked for the La Crosse Tribune as a news reporter from 1948-1968, thereafter establishing his own business, the Independent News and Features where he served as a freelance writer and photographer. Holmlund died in La Crosse, Wis., in 2001.

Most of the photographs are not dated or labeled.

The photographs taken by James O. Holmlund generally are not dated nor is there much information about them. The photographs taken by others were sent to him to help add photographic interest to his stories of the area and some exist only in copy negative form, while others are vintage and yet others are positive reprints. Most of these photos are of Bangor and West Salem, Wis., people and scenes from the past.

Among the more notable photographs that were taken by other people include scenes from Bangor and West Salem, both villages in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, around the 1890s-1920s.