Ole H. Olson Photograph Collection
Collection
Identifier: Photo 428-Photo Folio 38
Scope and Content
The Ole H. Olson Photograph Collection includes an autographed picture dated 1937, from the United States comptroller of currency to Ole Olson; and, a Christmas card family portrait of Ole, his wife, and eight of his children, taken sometime during the late 1940s. There are also two studio portraits of Ole Olson. One was taken younger in life, and another during the middle part of his life. In addition, there are two group photographs. The first is a group of men and women in front of what appears to be a school. The second is a group of men at the 20th annual meeting at the North Dakota Mutual Insurance Association, taken in what appears to be a town hall. Also included in the photographs is a picture of Ole Olson as governor (1934), in front of the State Building being shown a road planer by five men. Finally, there is a photograph of Ole H. Olson at his desk, on the floor of either the North Dakota Senate or House chambers. One oversize photograph is housed in Photo Folio 38, and it is a group photograph showing the Equity Board of Directors.
Dates
- 1890s-1940s
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Copyrights
Copyrights to this collection remain with the creator or are in the public domain.
Biography
Ole H. Olson was born September 19, 1872, in Mondovi, Wisconsin. He was the oldest child of nine from parents who had emigrated from Sogn, Norway. When he was seventeen he left home, and attended and graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.
In 1891, he went to North Dakota and was employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1895, Olson homesteaded near New Rockford, North Dakota. From 1895 until his retirement in 1946, his farm grew from the original 160 acres to more than 400 acres. He was considered by many of his fellow farmers to be very prosperous.
On December 12, 1912, he married Julia Ramberget in New Rockford. Mr. Olson and his wife had ten children; four boys and six girls. Clifford, was the oldest boy, followed by Orin, Raymond, and Raff. Inga, Olson's secretary while he was Lt. Governor and Governor, was the oldest daughter, followed by Martha, Anna Venoie, Dora (Dodo), and Metta Marilyn. One daughter died in infancy.
Olson began his political involvement just after the turn of the century, when he became secretary and treasurer of the local chapter of the American Society of Equity. He remained an active member until the organization was dissolved. He entered mainstream politics in 1916 with his election to the North Dakota House of Representatives. Beginning in 1918, he ran for the State Senate for the first time. He won three consecutive four-year terms in the State Senate, serving in 1929 as the president pro tem of the Senate.
In 1932, Olson was elected Lt. Governor under William Langer's administration. In June, 1934, Olson assumed the role of Governor after Langer was convicted by a federal jury for soliciting political funds from federal employees. Olson served the remainder of Langer's term, which ended January 7, 1935. After turning over the office of Governor, Olson was appointed Highway Commissioner until April 8, 1935, when he was removed from that office by the newly elected Governor Walter Welford.
After leaving public political life, Olson returned to his farm near New Rockford. During the years after leaving office, Olson became very active in the Farmers Union's various organizations, being chiefly involved in the Farmers Union Livestock Commission, as a director.
He, like most farmers during the late 30s and early 40s, took part in President Roosevelt's Agricultural Adjustment Association, which helped him get through the toughest time of the depression. He continued to farm until 1946, when he retired from farming and moved to New Rockford.
Ole H. Olson died January 29, 1954, in New Rockford, North Dakota. He was survived at that time by his wife, five daughters, and three sons. His son, Orin Olson, died during W.W. II, in Italy, on July 26, 1944.
In 1891, he went to North Dakota and was employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1895, Olson homesteaded near New Rockford, North Dakota. From 1895 until his retirement in 1946, his farm grew from the original 160 acres to more than 400 acres. He was considered by many of his fellow farmers to be very prosperous.
On December 12, 1912, he married Julia Ramberget in New Rockford. Mr. Olson and his wife had ten children; four boys and six girls. Clifford, was the oldest boy, followed by Orin, Raymond, and Raff. Inga, Olson's secretary while he was Lt. Governor and Governor, was the oldest daughter, followed by Martha, Anna Venoie, Dora (Dodo), and Metta Marilyn. One daughter died in infancy.
Olson began his political involvement just after the turn of the century, when he became secretary and treasurer of the local chapter of the American Society of Equity. He remained an active member until the organization was dissolved. He entered mainstream politics in 1916 with his election to the North Dakota House of Representatives. Beginning in 1918, he ran for the State Senate for the first time. He won three consecutive four-year terms in the State Senate, serving in 1929 as the president pro tem of the Senate.
In 1932, Olson was elected Lt. Governor under William Langer's administration. In June, 1934, Olson assumed the role of Governor after Langer was convicted by a federal jury for soliciting political funds from federal employees. Olson served the remainder of Langer's term, which ended January 7, 1935. After turning over the office of Governor, Olson was appointed Highway Commissioner until April 8, 1935, when he was removed from that office by the newly elected Governor Walter Welford.
After leaving public political life, Olson returned to his farm near New Rockford. During the years after leaving office, Olson became very active in the Farmers Union's various organizations, being chiefly involved in the Farmers Union Livestock Commission, as a director.
He, like most farmers during the late 30s and early 40s, took part in President Roosevelt's Agricultural Adjustment Association, which helped him get through the toughest time of the depression. He continued to farm until 1946, when he retired from farming and moved to New Rockford.
Ole H. Olson died January 29, 1954, in New Rockford, North Dakota. He was survived at that time by his wife, five daughters, and three sons. His son, Orin Olson, died during W.W. II, in Italy, on July 26, 1944.
Extent
8 Photographic Prints (8 photographic prints.)
Language of Materials
English
Overview
Ole H. Olson was a New Rockford settler, North Dakota legislator and governor.
Provenance
Donated by Mrs. Inga Olson Martin, 1960 (Acc. 1060).
Separation Record- Manuscript Materials
Manuscript materials are house in the Institute for Regional Studies collection number: Mss 183 and Mss 1596.14.
Property rights
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Ole H. Olson Photograph Collection
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu