Staale Hendrickson was born June 18, 1875 at Fjotlandsogn near Kristians, Norway, the son of Henrik and Inger Tonette (Olsdatter) Salveson. He attended five years of school and was employed as a shepherd in Norway. In 1893 he emigrated to the United States settling in Rugby, North Dakota. Mr. Hendrickson became interested in politics and served in the North Dakota House of Representatives in 1909 and from 1913 to 1917 as a Republican and the Independent Voters Association which was against the Nonpartisan League. He was also candidate for Congress in 1930 and Lieutenant Governor in 1942.

The Hendrickson Papers consist of correspondence, and subject files. The Correspondence Series has been arranged chronologically and contains both incoming and outgoing letters but is by no means complete. Yet, it does follow his career for the period 1917 to 1933. Of note in the correspondence is the 1917 North Dakota Legislative session, L.L. Twichell and the Independent Voters Association (1925-1926), the New York Life Insurance Company, L.B. Hanna, and the Truax-Traer Coal Company especially during the 1933 Legislative session. The Subject File Series contain a wide range of material including legislative bills and proposals and pamphlets of North Dakota official for 1914,1917 and 1933. Of special note are several political cartoons including an original drawing concerning Mr. Hendrickson, a campaign poster, a pamphlet, "Destroy the Cox-Tammany Rule in Burleigh County" and a scrapbook of newspaper clippings covering Mr. Hendrickson's career. 
 

Politics and Government