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Jacob D. and Eugenie Holtzermann Collection M/A 1994.20.01-02
| Title: | Jacob D. and Eugenie Holtzermann Collection |
| Dates: | 1931-1969 |
| Quantity: | 2.0 boxes |
| Repository: | James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library |
Biography
Jacob D. Holtzermann was born in Minneapolis in 1902. He graduated from South High School in 1918 and went on to study at the University of Minnesota, graduating there in 1921. He later earned a master's degree from Harvard University in International Law and pursued further studies at the University of Geneva, Switzerland and University of Munich in Germany.
Holtzermann initially worked as a branch manager for the National City Bank of New York. In 1931 he took over a dry goods store founded by his bachelor uncles Jacob and Louis in the 1880s. Holtzermann's Imports, located at 417-23 Cedar Avenue in the West Bank neighborhood, sold a variety of European goods. Holtzermann would continue to manage it for the majority of his life.
He unsuccessfully ran for the Minnesota State House's 31st District in 1934, 1936, and 1938. In 1938 he married Eugenie (Jenny) Velechovsky, a designer and illustrator from Vienna, Austria. She moved to Minneapolis and later became known by her own right for painting an extensive mural in the chidlrens room of the Minneapolis Public Library in 1961.
In the years leading up to World War II, Holtzermann was an outspoken isolationist who opposed the United States' involvement in the war. He was a leader of the Minneapolis branch of the America First Committee; during August and September of 1941 he published a weekly newspaper called the Minnesota Beacon which espoused isolationist views. During this time Holtzermann frequently contributed articles to local newspapers and spoke at civic functions about what he had seen while traveling in Europe for business.
Once the US formally entered the war, Holtzermann served in the Army Air Force retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Later in life Holtzermann served on the Minneapolis Planning Commission and on the Board of Directors for the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. He unsuccessfully ran against Walter Mondale for his US Senate seat during the 1966 election.
Holtzermann had a heart attack in late 1968 from which he never fully recovered. He died February 4, 1969, survived by Eugenie, his son, and three daughters. Eugenie Holtzermann died April 12, 1999.
Collection Description
The collection consists of two boxes. The first box contains correspondence, personal papers, clippings and various biographical items on Holtzermann, his wife Eugenie (Jenny) and daughter Charlotte. The second box contains a variety of different papers, studies and correspondence related to Holtzermann's time on the Minneapolis Planning Commission in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Related Material
Several photographs of Holtzermann and his family are available in the Minneapolis Collection.
The Minnesota Historical Society has several items related to Holtzermann, including a microfilm copy of the Minnesota Beacon.
Subject Headings
Persons
Holtzermann, Eugenie
Holtzermann, Jacob D.
Subjects
Neutrality
World War, 1939-1945.
Table of Contents
| Biographical -- Box 1, Folder 1 |
| Brief Sketches -- Box 1, Folder 2 |
| Genetics Papers -- Box 1, Folder 3 |
| Lutheran Brotherhood -- Box 1, Folder 4 |
| Correspondence and Military Papers -- Box 1, Folder 5 |
| Minnesota Beacon Newspaper -- Box 1, Folder 6 |
| Bank Books and Business Envelopes -- Box 1, Folder 7 |
| City of Minneapolis Misc. -- Box 1, Folder 8 |
| Jenny and Charlotte Holtzermann Biography -- Box 1, Folder 9 |
| Jenny and Charlotte Holtzermann Biography (2) -- Box 1, Folder 10 |
| MAA President Papers -- Box 1, Folder 11 |
| Clippings 1938-1969 -- Box 1, Folder 12 |
| Civil Defense -- Box 1, Folder 13 |
| Minneapolis Planning Commission 1959-1962 -- Box 2 |
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Call 612-543-8200 Please leave a message. specialcoll@hclib.org We try to respond within 24 hrs. Visit Plan your visit to Special Collections We welcome visitors! Please call at least one day ahead to make an appointment if you have a reference question or a research project. Hours 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday & First and Third Saturdays of the month |
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