Oleson, Ben 1856 - 1935

OLESON, CHILD

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/30/2017 at 11:36:48

Clayton County Register, Thur., 16 May 1935. McGregor column.

Funeral services for Ben Oleson, veteran conductor of the Milwaukee railroad, were held at the Community rooms in McGregor on Wednesday afternoon, with the Masons in charge of the service. Douglas Brown of Elkader preached the sermon, assisted by Rev. J. F. Parsons, pastor of the Congregational church. Burial was in the Pleasant Grove cemetery. Masons and Eastern Stars attended in a body. Mr. Oleson had been a Mason for over 50 years.

Ben Oleson was born in Whitewater, Wis., March 5, 1856. The family came to Ridgeway, Iowa, when he was nine years old, and he went to work for the Milwaukee railroad in 1874. He served continuously through a period of 59 years and 10 months. He was married to (looks like Nellie E. Child) at Spencer, Iowa, May 28, 1884. He is survived by his widow and one son, Clifton, who live on a farm near Milford, Iowa, where Mr. Oleson moved after his retirement from active service.