J. O. Osmundson

OSMUNDSON, JOHNSON, CLARK, POOLE, BRAUTNER, OLSON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 5/5/2007 at 16:01:22

J. O. Osmundson, vice president of the State Bank of Thompson, has had an influential voice in the management of that institution, which enjoys the full confidence of the community and whose affairs are in an excellent condition. He was born near Stevens Point, Wisconsin, January 1, 1866, a son of Erick and Johanna (Johnson) Osmundson, who removed from Norway to the United States and settled in Wisconsin at an early day in the history of that state. After farming near Stevens Point for a time the father removed with his family to the vicinity of Mount Horeb, the same state, whence in 1873 he came to Winnebago county, Iowa. He purchased a farm in Linden township and engaged in agricultural pursuits there until his death in 1879. He was buried in a cemetery in that township and his wife was laid by his side at her death in 1884. To them were born eight children, of whom six survive: J. O.; Ole, of Lake Mills; Henry, a resident of Walters, Minnesota; Susan, who is now Mrs. George Clark, of Pasadena, California; Inger, now Mrs. Charles Poole, of Pasadena; and Mabel, now the wife of Hal Brautner, of San Diego, California.

J. O. Osmundson attended the district schools and was for one winter a student in the Forest City high school. When but sixteen years old he purchased eighty acres of land in Linden township, making a cash payment thereon and paying the remainder of the purchase price in installments. For a number of years he rented his land to others and for a time worked as a farm hand. Later he devoted the winters to teaching school, while in the summers he ran a threshing machine and broke land for others. When twenty-three years old he went to Forest City and for two years was a clerk in the law office of C. L. Nelson. At the end of that time he was appointed deputy sheriff, in which capacity he served for several years, and at the same time dealt in real estate to some extent but in 1896 removed to Thompson and became assistant cashier of the State Bank, with which institution he has since been connected. He has risen to the position of vice president and is active in the direction of its policy and the management of its affairs. It was organized as a private institution by Thompson Brothers, of Forest City, immediately after the founding of the town of Thompson and in 1896 received a charter as a state bank. Twenty years later, in 1916, the charter was renewed for a term of twenty years with the following officers: B. J. Thompson, president; J. 0. Osmundson, vice president; G. Gordon, cashier; and H. W. Nelson, assistant cashier. It was capitalized at thirty thousand dollars and there is a surplus of eight thousand dollars, which indicates that its management is conservative and keeps constantly in mind the safeguarding of the interests of depositors and stockholders. The bank was opened in a wooden building but not long afterward the fine brick structure which it now occupies was erected.

Mr. Osmundson was married November 17, 1891, to Miss Carrie Olson, whose parents, Martin and Gurie Olson, were natives of Norway but became early settlers of Hancock county, Iowa. Both are deceased and are buried in Ellington township cemetery, that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Osmundson have been born nine children: Lulu, the wife of S. C. Larson, of Forest City; Ernest, at home; Cora; Floyd; Pauline; John; Sylvian, Mildred, and Helen.

Mr. Osmundson is a republican and is also a strong supporter of the prohibition movement. For one term he was mayor of Thompson and during that time much was done to advance the interests of the municipality. His religious faith is that of the United Lutheran church, and in all relations of life he has conformed his conduct to high ethical standards, thus winning the sincere respect of all with whom he has come in contact, while his personal qualities are such as to gain him the warm friendship of many.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, Vol. II, 1917, pages 88-91.

Below: Residence of J.O. Osmundson

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