Carl C Olson

OLSON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/15/2010 at 13:24:43

Carl C Olson, who takes his place among the progressive business men of Boone, has also participated in the pulic life of his county, having served as recorder for two terms. He is now half owner of The Hawkeye Laundry Company, and efficienty conducts the buiness along up to date and sanitary lines. He as born in Sweden, October 30, 1863, and is a son of Carl O and Carrie (Mattson) Johnson, and grandson of John Person. The grandfather and father both served in the Swedish army and followed farming in their native land. The latter was educated there in the common schools but in 1868 emigrated to the United States with his family, consisting of wife and four children, in order to profit by the opportunities awaiting in this counrty. They made their way direct to Denison, Iowa where they remained for a few months, and then came to Boone county, locating upon 80 acres of land four miles southeast of Ogden. The father developed this farm but in the fall of 1895 removed to Colorado, disposing of his Boone county interests. He purchased 120 acres in Bent county, that state, residing there until his death January 9, 1914. He was born March 6, 1833, and his first wife who died in 1886 was born in 1834. Both were devout adherents of the Lutheran church, taking much interest in its work. For his second wife the father married Miss Lizzie Lybeck, who was born in Boone county. By his first marriage he had the following children: John who died in 1868, Carl C of this review, Eric and Matilda, both of whom died when young, August and Emric residents of Bent county, Colorado, Julia who died in infancy, Amanda of Trinidad, Colorado, and Aurora, who died in Colorado in 1896, at the age of seventeen years. There were no chilren born to the father's second union.
Carl C Olson was about five years of age when he came with his parents to the United States. He attended schools of Boone county, and among his teachers' were James Swayne and Isabelle Jenkins, who is now Mrs Bricker of Boone. Leaving school at the age of sixteen, he made his way to Omaha, where he worked in a barbwire factory. There an unfortunate accident befell him, for he lost his right hand in a machine. However, he did not lose courage and decided to choose another road to fortune. For five years or for nine terms he attended the Augustana College at Rock Island, Illinois, and in 1891 began teaching in Marcy township, where he remained for several years. He was connected with parochial and public schools, teaching in all thirteen terms in Boone county. After giving up his work as an insturctor of the young he was in 1898 elected as recorder of Boone county and served for two terms, having also served as deputy recorder under J S Halliday. After he retired from office he took up the fire and life insurance business in Boone, successfully continuing along that line for two years. He then bought a half interest in The Hawkeye Laundry Company, his parnter at that time being Ralph Duckwood. In 1909 he formed a partnership with G W Griest, an association which has since been most profitable maintained. Not only has Mr Olson proven himslef an efficient teacher and a faithful officail but he has become one of the successful business men of his city, every taking an active part in all such enterprises which will increase the prestige of the community or promote its growth.
On October 10, 1910, Carl C Olson married Theresa Brannberg, a native of Boone county. They have one son, Carl Arnold, who was born on Juy 4, 1911. They are devout members of the Swedish Lutheran church, Mr Olson having been a deacon for several years. He formerly was Sunday school superintendent and is still the leader of the choir, but owing to pressing business he has to give up the former postion. Mr Olson is thoroughly conversant with the political issues of the day and was formerly quite active in the republican party. He and his wife have many friends in Boone and stand high in the estimation of their fellow citizens. There is great credit due Mr Olson for what he has achieved in spite of the severe handicap which befell him when he was but a boy. However, determination conquered and by sheer force of character industry and honesty he has won for himself an envialbe place in his community.

1914 Boone County History Book