Biography

Cherokee County Biographies

Reinhart Olson

REINHART OLSON, a prosperous and successful farmer and business man of Tilden township, who owns and operates eighty acres of valuable land on section 5, was born in Norway in December, 1871. He is a son of Erick and Oleana (Erickson) Olson, also natives of Norway. The father engaged in farming in that country for a number of years and in 1881 came to American, settling in Cherokee county, Iowa, where he made his home with his children until his death, in 1901. His wife died in Norway in 1875.

Reinhart Olson began his education in his native country and in 1881 came with his father to America, completing his studies in the public schools of Cherokee county. Following this he worked as a farm hand for several years and since that time has been continuously connected with farming interests here. In 1898 he rented land and operated it for four years, after which he bought eighty acres on section 5, Tilden township. This farm he has since developed and improved, providing it with a comfortable residence and substantial barns and outbuildings. It is today one of the finest farms in this locality, reflecting everywhere the care and labor of a practical and able agriculturist. Mr. Olson is also well know in business circles, being a director in the Farmers Telephone Company, a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Farmers Cooperative Store of Marcus..

On the 27th of December, 1897, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Krekow, born in Chicago, Illinois, September 9, 1878, a daughter of Charles and Louise Krekow, natives of Germany. The father came to America at an early date in the history of the middle west and after his arrival worked in packing houses in Chicago for some time. Afterward he moved to Cherokee county and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in Tilden township, which he is still operating. His wife passed away in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have become the parents of a son, Elmer C., aged ten.

Mr. Olson is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is one of the present board of township trustees and he is interested in the growth and development of the community, cooperating heartily in measures for the public good. He is a man of resource and ability and has worked his own way upward to success.

Source: History of Cherokee County, IA, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co, 1914

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