Thomas John Olson (1888 - 1967)

Born 1 Apr 1888 in Buffalo, Cass, North Dakota, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Helen Amelia (Kepner) Olson — married 24 Jul 1914 in Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States

Descendants

Died 12 Jan 1967 at age 78 in New Rockford, Eddy, North Dakota, United States

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Biography

Thomas, or as everyone called him "Tommy," grew up on the family farm, doing chores and attending school. He was confirmed in the Kvernes Lutheran Church on August 17, 1902 under the instruction of Pastor E. T. Quam. Tommy, along with his sister Helen and brother Carl, played the violin.

Tommy did some carpentry work and was also a street car engineer in Kansas City for a short time before he married Helen Kepner.^[1] Tommy and Helen were married in a double wedding with Tommy's sister, Helen Olson and Ludwig Hanson.^[2]

Thomas moved to New Rockford at the age of 22, where he remained for the rest of his life. For over 50 years, he worked as a custodian of the New Rockford School. ^[3]

He was a fireman and State Fire Marshall in the 1930s. He also served as a president of the North Dakota Firemen's Association. He was, perhaps, best known in the community for his inventions, one of which was the "Mae West" life jacket.^[4]

Thomas died at the age of seventy-nine.^[5][6]

Biography by David M. Pierce. If you use the biography in your research, please credit me as being its author. Thank you.

Sources

1. ↑ "Reflections of Our Lives in the Brantford, North Dakota, Community," compiled by Leone Williams Cudworth.
2. ↑ Minnesota Marriage Index: Name: Thomas Olson; Gender: Male; Birth Place: Eddy Co, N D; Marriage Date: 27 Jul 1914; Marriage Place: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota; Spouse's Name: Helen Kepner; Spouse Gender: Female; Spouse Birth Place: Eddy Co, N D; Event Type: Marriage; FHL Film Number: 1380462.
3. ↑ "Reflections of Our Lives in the Brantford, North Dakota, Community," compiled by Leone Williams Cudworth.
4. ↑ "Reflections of Our Lives in the Brantford, North Dakota, Community," compiled by Leone Williams Cudworth.
5. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial for Tommy Olson.
6. ↑ Social Security Death Index.

• John T. Olson Family Bible, transcribed by Thomas J. Olson.
• WWI Draft Registration Card: Thomas John Olson; Eddy Co., North Dakota; Birth date: 1 April 1888. Born: Buffalo, ND. Occupation: Engineer, Public Schools. Tall, slender, light hair and blue eyes.
• U.S. Federal Censuses: 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.
• Personal knowledge of his niece, Joyce Adams.