Frank William Olen (1842-1928)

OLEN, JOHNSON, OLIN, LOOMIS, GILE, ULLMAN

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 4/22/2022 at 15:26:06

Former Resident Dies at his Home in California

Frank William Olen was born January 10, 1842, near the city of Vadastina, Sweden, and died at Long Beach, California, January 4, 1928, lacking five days of reaching his 86th birthday.

After learning his trade, he came to this country in 1868, locating first at Port Byron, Illinois, and a year later at Moline, where he was employed at what was the the Moline Wagon factory in the days when the craft was performed entirely by hand.

In 1872 he was married to Christene Johnson of Moline, and six years later in 1878 he moved with his family to Cherokee County, Iowa, near Marcus, where he endured the hardships of the early pioneer on the Iowa prairie.

In the spring of 1885 he moved again to O'Brien County on a part of the land that was once known as the Mickley Ranch. Here he made his home for more than 35 years, when he and his wife left the old homestead to live in Brookings, S.D. near two of their daughters.

Since five years ago when his wife preceded him in death, he has spent much of his time in Long Beach, California, and here after a few days illness, he was suddenly called from his long and useful life, active in body and mind almost to the last.

As a boy he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith and remained true to the teachings of childhood. Being left fatherless at an early age, he had known privation which made him keenly sympathetic with those less fortunate than himself. His charities were unknown to the public, but no appeal from the needy ever was unheeded by him.

He was devoted to his children and loved by his grandchildren by whom he will be sadly missed.

Surviving him are three sons and three daughters: L.R. Olen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Fr. H. L. Olen of Iowa City, Iowa; R.S. Olen of O'Brien county; Mrs. Gertrude Loomis of Powell, Wyoming; Mrs. John Gile and Mrs. Ray Ullman of Brookings, South Dakota. Also twelve grandchildren, ten nieces and ten nephews.

Funeral services will be held at the Presbyterian church Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Paullina (Iowa) Times, 12 Jan 1928, p8
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Funeral For Frank Olen Held Last Friday

Funeral services for Frank William Olen wee held in Paullina last Friday afternoon from the Presbyterian church. Rev. H.P. MOrgan having charge of the services, the remain being laidd to rest in Prairie View Cemetery beside that of his wife who preceded him in dath a number of years ago.

The services were quite largely attended, especially by many of the older people of this community, as Mr. Olen farmed for at least 35 years in O'Brien County, all of which time was spent on the same place.

Relatives from away who attended were: Mrs. Gertrude Loomis, Pawell, Wyoming; Dr. H. L. Olen, of the State University at Iowa City, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. J. P.. Gile and two children; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Ullman and family of Brookings, South Dakota; L.R. Olen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Paullina (Iowa) Times, 19 Jan, 1928, p5

Frank Olen on Find a Grave
 

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