Felton, Harold W., 1902-1991

Harold William Felton earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1925 and a law degree in 1928 from the University of Nebraska and went on to practice law in Omaha until going to work for the Internal Revenue Service in 1933. Felton married Hildegard "Helen" Kessler in 1933 and they moved to Manhattan. Felton wrote about American folklore and tall tales. His first book, Legends of Paul Bunyan, was published in 1947; throughout his life Felton continued researching and writing about American legendary figures, and among his publications are many children's books.

Born in Neola, Iowa, on 1 April 1902, Harold William Felton graduated from Neola High School in 1919. He attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, for one year before transferring to the University of Nebraska, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1925 and a law degree in 1928. During college he worked as a stage manager at the University of Nebraska's Temple Theatre and as an assistant in the dramatics department. In the summertime, Felton worked as a farmer, mule skinner, and as an actor on the Chautauqua circuits.

After graduation, Felton practiced law in Omaha for five years before he went to work for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 1933. He married Hildegard Helen Kessler on 23 August 1933. The Felton's moved to Manhattan in New York, where Harold worked in the chief counsel's office of the IRS. He remained with the IRS for 37 years before retiring in 1970.

Felton wrote numerous children's books and books dealing with American folklore and tall tales. His interest in folklore developed from a fascination with Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Blue Ox. He began collecting books and stories about the legendary lumberjack at an early age. In the early 1940s, Felton decided to write a book about Bunyan. His first book, Legends of Paul Bunyan, was published in 1947. Throughout his life, Felton continued to research and write about other legendary figures such as Pecos Bill, John Henry, Fire Fightin' Mose, and Bowleg Bill.

Harold William Felton died on 12 July 1991.