HERBRAND L. OLSON

Herbrand L. Olson is a retired farmer living in Northwood. He is now enjoying a well earned rest but for many years was closely" connected with general agricultural pursuits. He belongs to that class of substantial citizens that Norway has furnished to the new world.

His birth occurred in the land of the midnight sun, January 27, 1845, his parents being Ole and Gertie (Amundson) Olson. The father and mother were also natives of Norway, where the father followed the occupation of farming until his death. His widow afterward came with her family to the new world, taking passage on a sailing vessel in 1853. Nine weeks had passed ere the voyage was ended. They landed at Quebec and thence proceeded up the St. Lawrence river and around the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from which point they removed to Rock county, Wisconsin. While there residing Mrs. Olson was married in 1855 to Ole Peterson, the wedding taking place in Orfordville, Wisconsin. Their family afterward came to Worth county, Iowa, where Mr. Peterson purchased a farm in Brookfield township and gave his attention to its further cultivation and development until his death, which occurred in 1872. His widow long survived him, passing away in 1912, at the notable old age of ninety-three years.

Herbrand L. Olson spent the first eight years of his life in Norway and then accompanied his mother to the new world. Lie remained a resident of Wisconsin until 1856 and then came with Mr. and Mrs. Peterson to Worth county, Iowa. He lived upon the home farm with his mother and stepfather and pursued his education in the district schools until he reached the age of seventeen years, when he put aside his textbooks and all personal considerations in order to respond to his country's call for aid, enlisting in 1862 in the Union army. He became a member of Company B, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry, being enrolled at Bristol. He served for a year and was then honorably discharged on account of impaired health, after which he returned to the farm. Some time later he began farming on his own account, purchasing a tract of land on section 16, Brook-field township, in 1864. Taking up his abode on that property, he concentrated his time and efforts upon its further improvement and cultivation until 1900 and his labors resulted in transforming it into a very productive tract of land. His fields were carefully and systematically cultivated and everything about the place indicated his practical methods and his progressive spirit. At length he removed to the town of Northwood, where he erected a fine residence and retired from active life. At the age of seventy-two years he is enjoying a well earned rest, which is the direct outcome of his former toil and activity.

In 1868 Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Maranda Mekkelson, a daughter of Ole and Augusta (Peterson) Mekkelson, who were natives of Norway and came with their family to the United States in 1849. They, too, crossed the Atlantic to Quebec and by way of the 'Great Lakes made their way to Rock county, Wisconsin. They afterward removed to Mower county, Minnesota, where Mr. Mekkelson purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he spent his remaining days. His widow afterward became a resident of South Dakota and died in that state. Mrs. Olson was also born in Norway and was married in Northwood, Iowa. To this marriage have been born seven children, namely: Gertie; Augusta, who died in 1897; Olina, who passed away in 1907; Amelia, deceased; Ole; Amelia, second of the name; and Carl, who died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Olson has always been a stalwart republican and has been called upon to fill various local offices, while for fourteen years he was also officially connected with the schools as treasurer of his district. In 1904 he was called upon to represent his district in the state legislature and during his connection with the house of representatives gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to the vital questions which came up for settlement. For a number of terms he served as supervisor of Brookfield township. His religious faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church and fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades. His experiences in Worth county cover the pioneer period as well as the era of later progress and development. When the family removed from Wisconsin to this state McGregor was their nearest market and they experienced many hardships and privations incident to settlement upon the frontier. Mr. Olson has lived to witness many changes, including the building of railroads through this district, furnishing splendid shipping facilities. Progress and improvement have been promoted in all ways and he has borne his part in the work of general advancement. His life has been well spent, commending him to the confidence and goodwill of those with whom he has come in contact, and all who know him speak of him in terms of high regard, bearing witness to the important part which he has played in the upbuilding of this section of Iowa.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; PAGES 112 & 113

From the Anals of Iowa, 1927: Herbrand Olson died in Northwood, Iowa, December 30, 1926. Burial was in Elk Creek Cemetery.

Transcription by Gordon Felland, 9/14/2006

Death date added on 4/21/2015.