Oliff B. Olson (1851-1930)

OLSON, HENDERSON, HALL, LARSON, MILLANG

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/25/2024 at 23:42:54

From Story City Herald May 8, 1930 (page 2)

LIVED 73 YEARS IN HAMILTON COUNTY

O. B. Olson Was Born in Illinois in 1851 and Came to Iowa in 1857

O. B. Olson was born in Norway, LaSalle county, Illinois, Oct. 13, 1851, and died in Randall, Iowa, April 28, 1930, at the age of 78 years and 6 months.

Mr. Olson was the oldest Norwegian settler in Hamilton county, not as to age but in years of residence. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lars B. Olson, came from Stavanger, Norway, to America in 1836 settling in Norway, Ill. In 1857 Mr. Olson's parents came to Hamilton county, Iowa. They settled on the Boe place 2 1/2 miles north of Story City.

The church accommodations were very poor at that time. Once in a while a preacher from Illinois would visit new settlers. For this reason oftentimes the children were quite old before they were baptized. Thus Mr. Olson could tell us he remembered when he was baptized by Rev. P. Rasmussen of Lisbon, Ill., in Lars Sheldahl's home. Mr. Olson spent his childhood and boyhood days among the trees on the west bank of the Skunk river.

The 13th of October, 1875, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Betsy Henderson. The wedding took place in the Sheldahl school house, where Rev. Amlund read the service. The young bride was a daughter of one of the most prominent Norwegian families of the community, Lars and Anna Henderson. Her father came from Etne, Norway, and her mother came from Skaanevik, Norway. The Henderson family came to America in 1847 and settled at Lisbon, Ill. In 1858 the Henderson family came to Scott township in Hamilton county, settling on the old Henderson homestead, two miles southeast of Randall.

Mr. and Mrs. Olson became the parents of ten children, of whom four have preceded their father in death, Ubert, who passed away Sept. 91, 1917 [sic], and three at infancy. The children who survive him are Lewis of Elmore, Minn., Martin of Radcliffe, Mrs. Anna Hall of Waterloo, Hiram, Orville and Malvina Larson, all of Randall. He also leaves 18 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mr. Olson saw the neighborhood grow from the bare prairie to a highly developed and cultured community. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have lived on the place where Mr. Olson passed away 50 years.

Mr. Olson was engaged in farming, also practicing veterinary. In the latter occupation he had the opportunity of getting acquainted near and far away from home.

Oct. 13, 1925, Mr. and Mrs. Olson celebrated celebrated their golden anniversary surrounded by a host of relatives and friends.

Four years ago he suffered a stroke of paralysis from which he never recovered. He suffered patiently and was very thankful for all the help extended to him.

Mr. Olson was a member of Elim Lutheran church of Randall for many years. He was a faithful church goer and willingly supported the church in all its activities.

Besides the six children he leaves to mourn his departure his beloved wife and two sisters, namely, Miss Carrie Olson of Story City and Mrs. Ole Millang of Rose Grove.

Funeral services were held at the Randall church Wednesday, April 30 at 2 p.m., by Rev. Paulsrud and Rev. Heidal. Mrs. Benj. Anderson and Theodore Quam of Stanhope sang two songs. Six grandsons served as pallbearers. He was laid to rest at the Mount Olive cemetery.

Card of Thanks

We wish herewith to extend our thanks to the many relatives, neighbors and friends for the kindness and sympathy shown us during the illness, death and burial of our beloved husband and father; and for the beautiful floral offerings.
Mrs. O. B. Olson and Family.