On the 2d of May, 1996, Mr. Olinger was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Sherman, a daughter of Silas and Mary E. (Gamble) Sherman. The father is now deceased but Mrs. Sherman is still living and makes her home in Maxwell. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Olinger, but only one, Paul B., is now living.
Mr. Olinger gives his support to the democratic party but does not devote much attention to politics, as his time is largely taken up with his business affairs. He is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and is connected with the Commercial Club of Maxwell, being president of this organization. He and his wife are valued members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Olinger is remarkably active, clear-sighted and efficient in the line to which he has devoted his talents ever since he began the battle with the world, and he has gained a very high standing among the successful promoters of land enterprises as well as in the field of insurance. Through persistent purpose he has won his way to general recognition, presenting one of the most striking examples of the effect of well applied energy that may be met with in the state of Iowa.
FRANK J. OLSAN.
Frank J. Olsan, a well known agriculturist of Story county, was born on the 17th of February, 1859, in Moravia, in which country his ancestors have been engaged in the occupation of horticulture in the same place for a period of four hundred and eighty years. He came to the United States in 1887, first locating in Iowa City, Iowa, but the following year removed to Nebraska. In 1891, however, he returned to the Hawkeye state and settled in Story county, where he has since continued to reside. He is engaged in the seed, nursery and florist business, in which line he has shown himself to have few equals. At the present time he has six hothouses containing fifteen thousand feet of glass, the space which he is utilizing being equal to thirty acres of land. That he is thoroughly conversant with every detail of his work is indicated by the abundance and perfection of his products. Since his residence here he has acquired a much more than local reputation being known as one of the most capable and competent representatives of the science of horticulture in the country. He was the first editor of the horticultural department of the Hospodar of Omaha, Nebraska, the largest Bohemian publication in the world interested in this subject. He is now associate editor of the same publication, the growing demands of his business precluding the possibility of his devoting as much time as formerly to his editorial work.
Mr. Olsan was united in marriage to Miss Mary Danek, also a native of Moravia, and unto them have been born nine children, eight of whom