Object Record
Images
Additional Images [35]
Metadata
Accession number |
2017.001 |
Object Identification Number |
2017.001.001 |
Object Name |
Secretary |
Donor |
Stauffer, Dane |
Description |
Light brown wood secretary. The top section has two glass panel doors, framed with wood. Two wooden shelves inside. The viewer's left door has a keyhole and a round wooden knob to open. At the top is a slightly scrolled trim with scrolled decoration attached at the center. Attached at each upper corner is a round decoration. Straight sides. On back are initials (illegible) and then M Roberts / Mpls" There is also a shipping label present at the upper viewer's left, though difficult to read. The base has a flat top for the upper section to sit on. On front, a wooden flap folds down, outward toward the user. Inside are two vertical slots on the viewer's left, four square compartments and one long rectangular one below at the center, and two horizontal shelves and a small drawer at the viewer's right. The flap is connected by a small chain on each side. Below are three long drawers, the full length of the piece. Each has a bale handle with a scrolled backer, metal. There is a number written inside at the center of each. Straight sides except hear the top front where it angles inward slightly, following the angle of the flap. Scrolled trim at the bottom front. Scrolled decoration attached to the top center of the flap, just below a keyhole and a wooden knob for opening. On back are "M Roberts / Mpls" and "4764". There is also a shipping label present at the upper viewer's right, though difficult to read. |
Dimensions |
H-80.625 L-39.125 D-17.875 inches |
Creation Date |
ca. mid-19th century |
Place Of Origin |
USA/MI/Grand Rapids |
Owned By |
Ostergaard, Kristian/Frederickson, Dagny Ostergaard/Stauffer, Dane |
Used By |
Ostergaard, Kristian |
Material |
wood/glass/metal |
Associated People |
Ostergaard, Kristian Frederickson, Dagny Ostergaard Stauffer, Dane |
Search Terms |
Ostergaard, Kristian Frederickson, Dagny Ostergaard Stauffer, Dane desk secretary furniture writer |
Provenance |
The items in this donation belonged to Kristian Østergaard. The secretary was likely made in Grand Rapids, Michigan and belonged to Kristian Østergaard, a prominent Danish American minister, author, and composer in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He was instrumental in the founding and success of the folk school movement, and wrote many hymns for the Danish Lutheran Church, as well as the anthem for Grandview College (now University) in Des Moines, Iowa. He wrote many books as well. Kristian used this secretary for writing, composing, book study, and correspondence. Kristian was born February 5, 1855 in Volstrup, Denmark. He was offered an opportunity from Ludvig Shroeder, whose lectures inspired him greatly, to come to America and teach in a folk school in Elk Horn, Iowa. He accepted it as a call from God, and left Denmark in August 1878 at the age of 23. While in Elk Horn, he became engaged to Maren Kristine Svendsen, and after going to Chicago for a time, he returned to Elk Horn to take over leadership of the Folk School. Kristian and Maren married in August of 1881. The two moved several times to start new folk schools, and returned to Denmark to start their own school there in 1885. Due to the changing political landscape and illness, they were not successful. Additionally, Maren died in 1892. In April 1892, Kristian returned to the U.S. with his six small children to West Denmark, Wisconsin. He was ordained in Chicago in 1893, and later began a 23-year period as pastor in the Danish Church in Ringsted, Iowa. He was pastor there from 1897 to 1906. It was here that Kristian married Kristine Hansen. The two added children to the family, including the donor's maternal grandmother Dagny. It was in Ringsted that he first acquired the secretary from a dealer in St. Paul, Minnesota. When the family moved to Hetlund, South Dakota, the piece was shipped there. It also made several other moves before settling in Tyler, Minnesota. Following Kristian's death in 1931, the secretary remained with his widow Kristine until her death in 1952. At that time, it passed to the donor's grandmother Dagny (Ostergaard) Frederickson, later to her daughter Donna, and in 1977 it was given to Donna's son Dane, (the donor). ___________ Dagny Ostergaard Frederickson, granddaughter of Kristian Ostergaard, was born in 1903, and married Howard M. Frederickson. The two had four children, including Donna, the donor's mother, born in 1932. Dane was born in 1959. Dagny's husband Howard Fredricksen worked for the Rural Electric Association represented by the clipboard. Howard was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa on January 8, 1899, and died October 8, 1977 at the age of 78. |
Images |
277\2017001001.JPG |
Date Received by Museum |
01/06/2017 |