Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-08-16
'TH0S. Il. OLSON
IS NO MORE
County Chairman, Old Resident
and Civil War Veteran Passes
Over The Dark River.

InOmaS III. OlSOn, the OLD settler,
the Civil War veteran, the county
official and the respected citizen
passed away from the scenes Of this
life last night at seven o'clock at the
Bethesda hospital in this city, follow
ing an operation undertaken in an ef-
fort to save his life.
Early last winter Mr.. Olson's
health began to fail. He went to the
cities and consulted specialists and
underwent an operation. He soon re-.
turned home, but has continued to be
poorly and has suffered a great deal.
Last Monday he was taken to the
hospital and was again operated up
on, but his vitality was too much
spent and he died as stated above.
Thomas Henry Olson was born in
Stavanger, Norway, on the Goth day
of January, 1848. When Thomas
was but boy Of four years his par
ents emigrated to America locating
in Chicago. A year or two after ar
rival his mother fell victim to the
cholera and died. His father some
years later remarked. At the age Of
fourteen young Olson enlisted as pri-
vate in Company X, Twenty-seventh
Iowa, and served for three years un-
der General A. J. Smith, taking part
in the Red River Expedition, cam
paigning into Missouri against the
Sterling Price Raiders and partici-
pating in the capture Of Mobile.
After the war he returned to Chi
cago and later went to Duluth, going
back to Chicago for short time af-
ter the great fire. In 1871 he came
to Kandiyohi county taking a home
stead in town of Edwards. He was
married in 1873 to Miss Lucy A.
Stoner, a daughter Of Samuel Ston-
er, prominent citizen of this county
in pioneer days and at that time
sheriff of the county.
Mr.. Olson always took prominent
part in the affairs of the community,
serving his town as supervisor for
five different terms as clerk N for
fourteen years, and as justice Of the
peace for one year, also as director
Of school district No. 40. In 1900
he was elected to the board Of Coun-
ty Commissioners which position he
held to the time Of his death, being
chairman Of the board since 1908.
Nine years ago, Mr.. Olson retired
from farming operations, and with
his devoted help-meet moved to Will
mar. Here his duties as member of
the county board and other positions
of trust occupied his time quite full
ly until his sickness came on. He
has served on the city council since
moving to the city. He was member
Of the Col. Heg Post, g. A. r., Of
Willmar, and member Of st. Luke's
Episcopal church.
Besides the grief stricken wife, the
deceased leaves to mourn his death,
two sons, Fred Olson, postmaster at
Raymond, and Mr.. Ernest Olson, who
has charge Of the old home farm in
town of Edwards.
The funeral takes place next Sat-
urday afternoon. There will be a
brief service at the residence, fol-
lowed by services at the St. Luke's
church at 2 80 o'clock, Rev. Horatio
Gates officiating. The interment takes
place at the Fairview cemetery.
The death of Mr.. Olson removes
the head Of the county government,
he being the chairman of the county
board. Today the flag on the court
house is displayed at half mast in
honor Of the departed official.