The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-26
OLAF r. OLSEN DEAD
DEATH CAME SUDDENLY At HIS
HOME YESTERDAY MORNING.
and Had Been Expecting Death
Heavy Life Insurance.

Olaf r. Olson, manufacturer of bolts and
practical worker in all kinds of iron, died
yesterday at his home on North Capitol
avenue. Death came suddenly and was the
result of shock due to a violent attack Of
diarrhoa, which an already weakened sys-
tenn could not withstand. He was suffering
pain when he came home from his factory
at the supper hour the night before, bring
ing with him some of the office books of
account in which he wanted to finish some
work. The attack first appeared about 9
O'Clock and his wife urged him to retire.
but he refused to do so, saying he wanted
to continue his work. Mrs. Olsen could not
sleep from anxiety and at midnight went to
her husband and found him still suffering
but still unwilling to retire A couple OF
hours later she realized that her husband
was seriously i'll and prevailed upon him to
so to their room. IL vas with difficulty that
she could get him up stairs 50 much ex-
hausted he. He soon became uncon-
were sent to call DR.. Crosse and Or. kahio,
who live near by. They found the -atient
amy aa Me M bu death
ensued. The patient showed that he had
suffered as if from loss of blood. pr. Kim,
berlain said last night that Mr.. Olsen had
not been well for a year or more and in
fact had been greatly weakened by an at
tack of grip two years ago. Death he said,
was Immediately due to the shock from the
bowel trouble.
Olaf R. Olsen was a native of Copenhagen
Denmark, and forty-SiX years of age
his ather was the proprietor of a machine
shop and the son learned the business with
a facility that indicated genius. owing to
business reverses the son left his native land
and settled in America. He came TO TINS
city in 1873, and took employment with
Sinker, Davis &, Co. He saved his earnings
and in time purchased an interest in an
iron manufacturing venture which proved
failure. His next start in business was as
m anf 6.a frsNr, n
Presbyterian Church. friend induced him
to make bid promising that If he obtained
security for such purchases as he would
have to make. He fitted up shop and at
first employed a boy. The work was done
Well and proeitab bly, and gradually the bust
enlarged until it became the prosper
GUS plant of the Indianapolis Bolt and Ma
chine works. Five years ago he built a
shop of brick on Kentucky avenue, where
he did a, prosp ere us business until the panic.
Mr. Olsen served twice as a member of
the city Council from the Thirteenth Ward,
being q Democrat. He was not always in
line with his party, but served his constit-
Council because he purchased home on
Capitol avenue and thus was living N an
other ward. During the last campaign for
Mayor he allowed his name to be used as d
candidate against It. l.. Sullivan before the
convention, but was. not successful. He
afterward complained that he was not we'll
used by the Democratic leaders and he
gave his support to the Republican candi-
date. Being known to. be wealthy and
attack upon him for money which aided to
disgust him with politics.
Until within comparatively short time
Mr. Olsen carried insurance policies amount
ing to $4,000. All but 100000 of these had
been allowed to lapse owing to the string
ency of the times which affected all manu-
facturers severly. One policy had an ex-
tension period carrying it in force until
1896 and the family will secure the benefit
of it, although Mr.. Olsen had concluded to
allow it to lapse also. This policy was car
red in the Mutual Benefit Insurance Com
pany of New Jersey. The other companies
sustaining the losses are the New England
Mutual and the New York Life. DR.. Kim
berlain said last ight that in July he told
Mr.. Olsen that if he had any life insurance
he ought by all means to keep it in force
as he was likely to die before MANI years.
Mr.. Olsen seemed somewhat excited by the
information, but asked more particularly
about his condition, Sc ying that the Doctor
need not fear frightening him. Mr.. Olsen
promised faithfully that he would continue
the policies in force.
The funeral V IL occur tomorrow from the
residence, No 469 North Capitol avenue.
Rev. DIR. Rondthaler, of the Tabernacle
Presbyterian Church, will conduct the serv-
ice at the house, several members of the
family being. members of this churcn The
secret societies, MaSonS, Odd Fellows and
knights of PythiaS, of which the dead man
was a member will have charge of the
services at the grave.