ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202

CORBIN A. WALDRON PAPERS

COLLECTION: OGL #561

DATES: 1920-1977

SIZE: 2.5 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The Corbin A. Waldron Papers were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by David Waldron, Bismarck, North Dakota in March 1980 (Acc.# 80- 634).

ACCESS: Available for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Corbin Ara Waldron was born in Independence, Iowa, on January 7, 1899. He graduated from Mandan High School, after which he joined the United States Army. He enlisted on August 21, 1918, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He served in the Student’s Army Training Corps at Fargo College until his discharge on December 13, 1918.

Following World War I, he attended Fargo College, graduating in 1922 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1927, he obtained a Law degree from the University of Minnesota, and was admitted to the North Dakota Bar in 1928. He settled in Minot where he founded the firm of Waldron, Kenner, Halvorson, and Sturdevant. During his forty-one years as a lawyer, he served as President of the Ward County and Minot Bar Association. He was a member of the North Dakota Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, Toastmasters International, and served as Chair of the Ward County Republicans. Waldron was interested in civic affairs and served on the Board of Directors of the Minot YMCA, the Heartview Foundation and the Board of Trustees of the Minot Presbyterian Church.

Using the pen name “Dakota Cal”, he wrote seven books: Lines from Dakota, Lines and Lyrics from Dakota, Falling Leaves, Quasi-Legal Tender, Footprints in America's Fields, Adventures of Pedro the Polar Bear, and Voice of the Valley. He also composed several hymns along with numerous melodies. In 1957, he was named Poet Laureate of North Dakota by the State Legislature and became a member of the United Poets Laureate International of Quezon City, Philippines. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Free University of Asia, Karachi, Pakistan in 1969.

Corbin A. Waldron died in April 1978 in Minot, North Dakota.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Corbin A. Waldron Papers consist of his writings, including poetry, essays, speeches and musical compositions. Personal correspondence, dating from 1911-1977 is also included. Miscellaneous materials include programs, diplomas, a scrapbook, and newspaper clippings. Thirty photographs were separated and added to the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection.

BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY

Box 1
Folder
Writings

  1. Poetry A - D
  2. Poetry E - L
  3. Poetry M - S
  4. Poetry T - Y
  5. Poetry: Published
  6. Poetry: Written to Doris Waldron
  7. Poetry: Religious
  8. Poetry: Footprints in America's Fields (Manuscript)
  9. Poetry: Footprints in America's Fields (Manuscript)
  10. Poetry: Highways of the State of North Dakota
  11. Poetry: Untitled
  12. Poetry: Notebook
  13. Poetry: Composition Book
  14. Speeches
  15. Political Speeches
  16. Essays
  17. Musical Compositions

Correspondence

  1. Correspondence 1911-1929.
  2. Correspondence 1930 -1939.
  3. Correspondence 1940 -1949.
  4. Correspondence 1950 -1959.
  5. Correspondence 1960 -1961.
  6. Correspondence 1962 -1963.
  7. Correspondence 1964 -1965.
  8. Correspondence 1966-1969.
  9. Correspondence 1970 -1973.
  10. Correspondence 1974 -1975
  11. Correspondence 1976 -1977
  12. Correspondence on Conciliation Commissioner
  13. Solicitation and Response letters regarding publication

Miscellaneous

  1. Alcohol Recovery and Rehabilitation Program
  2. Company K - North Dakota State Guard

Box 2
Folder

  1. Diplomas
  2. Miscellaneous
  3. Personal Newspaper Clippings
  4. Programs
  5. Scrapbook
  6. YMCA Board of Directors
  7. YMCA Board of Directors

SEPARATIONS RECORD

Thirty photographs were separated and added to the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection.

OGL561-1 Waldron, undated
OGL561-2 Waldron, undated
OGL561-3 Uncle Leo (?) and Lucille, undated
OGL561-4 Louise, Pearle (?), Mildred, and Lucille, 1945
OGL561-5 Waldron and his wife, Janet, undated
OGL561-6 Janet, undated
OGL561-7 Janet, undated
OGL561-8 Waldron and a child, undated
OGL561-9 Janet, undated
OGL561-10 Group of people in Bozeman, July 24, unknown year
OGL561-11 Waldron, undated
OGL561-12 Janet, undated
OGL561-13 Waldron, undated
OGL561-14 Waldron, 1960
OGL561-15 Waldron, May 1960
OGL561-16 Waldron, undated
OGL561-17 Waldron fishing, 1953
OGL561-18 Waldron, Janet, and friends at dinner, undated
OGL561-19 Waldron and Janet, undated
OGL561-20 Waldron, 1960
OGL561-21 Janet and friend, June 1960
OGL561-22 Waldron and friends, 1962
OGL561-23 Inside of Waldron & Kenner's office, May 1960
OGL561-24 Waldron, 1960
OGL561-25 Waldron and Janet, July 1968
OGL561-26 Waldron, undated
OGL561-27 Waldron, undated
OGL561-28 Unidentified
OGL561-29 Janet, undated
OGL561-30 Unidentified

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