Rudolph & Lucile Olson

OLSON HALL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/13/2010 at 17:29:18

History of Woodbury County,Iowa 1984

Rudolph and Lucille Olson
By Doris Christensen

Rudolph, the youngest child of Aaron and Maren Olson, was born near Sloan, Iowa, on June 29, 1866, and attended the rural and Sloan schools. He was graduated from the Automobile and Electrical School in Omaha, Nebraska, on February 10, 1913. In 1917, he was united in marriage with Lucile Hall of Whiting, Iowa. In 1918, Mr. and Mrs. Olson moved to a farm at Fairfax, South Dakota, where they lived for thirteen years, and where their two daughters, Marian Lucile and Doris Gwendolyn were born. While at Fairfax, Mr Olson served as President for the local school board and was President of the Farmers Union. Mr Olson was elected State Legislator for three terms from the 18th District of the South Dakota Legislature.

While still a number of the Legislators, Mr. Olson purchased a farm on Highway 230 east of Sergeant Bluff from L N Carter, known as the Luther Woodford home place. The house, which is still owned by the Olson family, was built in 1880 and is the oldest house in the Sergeant Bluff Community, and the oldest frame house in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Olson and two daughters, Marian and Doris, moved onto this farm in 1931.

During the great depression end after the Farm Holiday Group was organized in Woodbury County, Mr Olson was appointed to meet with the governors of Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota to try and find a solution to the farmers’ troubles. This committee succeeded in quelling the strike. They also helped to settle many foreclosing proceedings more fairly, which gave the farmers a chance to redeem their property. In 1933, Henry Wallace, Secretary of Agriculture, was given broad powers through the new Triple A or Corn Hog Program and the just claim of the farmer for parity prices was recognized. Rudolph Olson was appointed Compliance Director and in 1934 he was elected county chairman of the Triple A Program. In 1935 he was re-elected, but in 1936 he resigned this position to run for Woodbury County Supervisor. He was elected Supervisor in November 1936 and took office on January 1, 1937. He was re-elected supervisor four times and was Supervisor of the 5th District from 1937 to 1952. He was three times chairman of the Board of Supervisors during these fifteen years.

Mr Olson was very much interested in his community. He served on many committees, including the Old Settlers’ Picnic Association. During his terms as Supervisor he served as a member of the Social Welfare Board for four years and was also appointed by Governor Hickenlooper to represent the State of Iowa on the Eight State Missouri River Flood Control Power and Irrigation Committee. After the proper appropriations were made by Congress, he resigned from this committee.

Rudolph Olson was a 32nd Mason and a Shriner, Past Master of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Sioux City Consistory. After retirement from public office, he lived on his farm at Sergeant Bluff. He passed away on December 30, 1970, in Sioux City, Iowa.

Mrs Olson was born November 23, 1892, at Whiting, Iowa. She attended rural schools in Monona County and was graduated from Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, Iowa. She taught school for eight years in Woodbury County and for two years at the demonstration school at Cedar Falls, Iowa. At this time married women were not allowed to teach school, so she gave up her teaching career when she married Mr Olson.

Lucile Olson served as President of the Sergeant Bluff Women’s Club, The Sergeant Bluff American Legion Auxiliary, and the W.S.C.S. of t Community Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Eastern Star of Sloan, Iowa, and a member of the Sergeant Bluff Community Church Board. She taught Sunday School for many years at the Methodist Church at Sergeant Bluff. She also served as 4-H leader of Woodbury Township for a period of time. She passed away on December 10, 1958, at her home in Sergeant Bluff.