The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence between John G. Linder and his mother, Elsie A. Erstad. This correspondence includes a letter that Linder wrote before being sent overseas during World War II; three letters from Erstad to Linder, all of which were sent back because Linder had gone missing in action by the time they reached the front; and two letters that Linder wrote from the German prisoner of war camp Stalag III-B. Erstad's letters describe farming and social activities in the La Center, Washington, area that she and her husband, Oscar Erstad, engaged in. A September 12, 1943 letter from Linder expresses some homesickness but says that he is otherwise doing well, and thanks Erstad for three cartons of cigarettes she had sent him.

Other materials relating to World War II in the collection consist of a letter that James O. Johnson sent to Oscar Erstad and Elsie Erstad in 1944; and a form requesting that Linder receive a Combat Infantry Badge, detailing that he was captured on February 22, 1943, and that he never received combat infantry pay or a badge. The collection also includes reproductions of photographs of Linder's great-great aunt, Sarah Linder (1804-1884) and his great-grandfather, early emigrant to Oregon Alexander Hamilton McQuinn (1810-1871).