Arthur Clarence Olson Jr.

OLSON STOCKWELL ATTRILL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/13/2010 at 17:11:14

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Arthur Clarence Olson, Jr
By Arvid Olson

Arthur C Olson, Jr. son of Arthur C Olson, Sr. and Vida G (Stockwell) Olson was born November 7, 1922. He was one of six children born of the union, the others being: Audrey, June 6, 1924/June 12/1924; Melvin H (twin) May 15, 1926; Milton H (twin) May 15, 1926; Shirley M Olson (Anderson) February 7, 1930; and Gwendolyn P Olson (Plantz) March 17, 1934. Arthur has lived in Sioux City, Iowa, all of his life. He was schooled in Sioux City and was confirmed in St Johns Lutheran Church. He later joined the Assembly of God Church and was baptized in an old-fashioned baptism in the Big Sioux River at the entrance to Stone Park.

At age 17 Arthur joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was stationed at Moville, Iowa, during 1939-1940. One job he was assigned to was that of rock cutter. He and another youth by the name of Anderson spent one winter in a tent cutting up slabs of rock for the Pierson Park Resthouse. When World War II was declared Arthur joined the Naval Seabees. He spent six months on Midway Island with the 123rd Battalion, repairing airplane runways after the Japanese had bombed them. From there he was transferred to the 39th Battalion attached o the 4th Marines on Island of Maui, Hawaiian Islands. There they trained for the invasion of Siapan in Marianas Islands. After many experiences and eighteen months of occupation the war was declared over and Arthur returned the United States.

While on a 30 day rest leave he married Evelyn Jean Attrill at the First Assembly of God Church on December 6, 1945. After his leave was over he returned to the Great Lakes where he was discharged and sent home. Arthur took a Civil Service exam and was hired by the U S Post Office.

Of the union between Arthur and Evelyn Olson three children were born: Diana Jean, born October 8, 1946; GayLynn Fay, born September 26, 1948; Arvid Christian born May 29, 1951. After almost 35 years Federal service, Arthur retired in November of 1978 and is enjoying retirement with his wife, a retired nurse, at 3209 East 9th, Sioux City, Iowa.