Olson, John A. 1858 -
OLSON, HOLKESVIG, JOHNSON, SERDAHL, HULVARSON, NELSON
Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 10/24/2004 at 19:20:30
Taken from History of Winneshiek County Vol. II
No farmer in Winneshiek county has achieved greater success in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising than John A. Olson, who has lived in this part of Iowa during practically all of his life and is now cultivating a portion of the homestead upon which he was born on the 20th of February, 1858. He is a son of Ashjorn Olson and Guro (Nelson) Holkesvig, natives of Hardanger, Norway, where their marriage occurred. With their eldest child they came to America, settling first in Wisconsin, when they moved to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and the father purchased land in Pleasant township. From time to time he added to his holdings, which finally aggregated two hundred and forty acres, and upon this farm the remainder of his life was passed, his death occurring when he was over eighty years of age. He and his wife became the parents of ten children: Rachel, the widow of H.P. Johnson and a resident of Decorah; Nelson Holkesvig, a farmer in Canoe township; Ole Olson, engaged in merchandising in Fargo, North Dakota; Henry Holkesvig, who is employed by his twin brother Ole; John A. Olson, of this review; Aaron, of Groton, South Dakota; Nellie, the wife of Frank Sampson , of Decorah; Albert, of Crookston, Minnesota; Anton, who resides at Devils Lake, North Dakota; and Edward, who passed away at the age of nineteen years. As will be seen, some of these children use the name of Olson and the others that of Holkesvig.
John A. Olson was reared at home and from his early childhood assisted with the work of the farm, becoming thoroughly familiar with the best agricultural methods and all the details connected with farm operation. He spent three years in Fargo, North Dakota, working in a general store, but with this exception has resided continuously in Pleasant township, where he is now numbered among the progressive and able agriculturists. He purchased from his father one hundred acres of the old homestead on section 21 and he has developed this along modern and progressive lines, making substantial improvements in the buildings and installing the necessary farm implements. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and both branches of his business have proven profitable and important under his able management. He is a stockholder in the Ice Cave Creamery Company of Decorah and in the Farmers Cooperative Company, and his ability is widely recognized in businesss circles.
On the 8th of September, 1897, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Serdahl, of Halland, Norway, who was born December 26, 1875. When she was nine months of age she was brought by her parents to America, settling immediately in Iowa, where she has since resided. She is the second in a family of fourteen children, all of whom are still living and all residents of Dakota with the exception of three of the daughters. Her parents are Nels and Anna Martha (Hulvarson) Serdahl, now residents of North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have four children, Genevieve, Noretta, Idella and Olga.
The parents are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Olson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and, although he is not active as an office seeker, he takes an intelligent interest in community development. His upright and honorable life has commanded the esteem and regard of all who come in contact with him and he has made many substantial contributions to the agricultural development of the township where he was born.
Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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