Object Record
Images
Metadata
Accession number |
1997.006 |
Object Identification Number |
1997.006.053.002 |
Object Name |
Button |
Donor |
Isley, Lorraine |
Description |
Round military button, dark brass color. The outer edge has a raised border. At the center an eagle is positioned over a background of horizontal lines. The eagle has wings outstretched, arrows in its left talon, and a branch in its right. In its mouth is a ribbon on which "E PLURIBUS UNUM" is printed. Above the eagle is a circular design, and on its chest is a shield. On back is a loop for affixing the button to a garment. Around the outer edge is the maker's information: "THE ART METAL WORKS NEWARK NJ". |
Dimensions |
Dia-0.625 inches |
Made By |
Art Metal Works, The |
Creation Date |
ca. WWI |
Place Of Origin |
USA/NJ/Newark |
Owned By |
Madsen, Axel Christian |
Used By |
Madsen, Axel Christian |
Material |
metal |
Associated People |
Madsen, Axel Christian |
Search Terms |
Madsen, Axel Christian WWI military button The Art Metal Works Newark, New Jersey |
Provenance |
This button belonged to Axel Christian Madsen. Axel Christian Madsen was born April 30, 1896, in Asnas, Sjelland, Denmark to Christian and Petrina (Rasmussen) Madsen. He came to America early in 1916 from Copenhagen aboard the Frederik VIII. He immigrated to the Dike, IA area where he worked on local farms. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1918 at the age of 21, served with the 30th Infantry Regiment Division, and was discharged in 1918. His service earned him his citizenship. Axel trained at the American School in Chicago in the tool and die trade. He worked for Viking Pump Company in Cedar Falls, Iowa, then went to California for three years to work for Ford Motor Company, Pacific Gass and Electric, and American Can Company. Following that, he returned to Cedar Falls and worked for Viking Pump for the next 37 years. Axel married the donor's aunt, Elvina Olsen Nielsen, on March 21, 1958 when he was 62. He had not been married previously. He has a stepson, Edwin Nielsen, of Princeton, MN. Until his marriage, Axel was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, IA. After marriage, he joined the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Waterloo, IA. Axel had one brother and two sisters, but only he immigrated to the U.S. Axel belonged to the Danish Brotherhood in America and the American Legion, as well as the Odd Fellows Lodge. He died September 11, 1995. Donor is the niece of Axel Madsen. |
Images |
212\1997006053002.JPG |
Date Received by Museum |
01/17/1997 |