John P Olson
| Date of Interment or Death | 04/21/1931 |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Fairview |
| Section | D |
| Block-Lot-Grave | 6-8-3 |
Obituary
County Pioneer, Official and War Veteran is Dead
Military Rites To be Conducted from Armory; Business Places to Close
Military funeral services will be held at the Wahpeton Armory at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon for J. P. Olson, Spanish-American War veteran and veteran county official, who passed away at his home Friday evening shortly before ten o’clock. Death followed a brief illness due to myocarditis toxic and contusion cerebral. A few days previous to his death Mr. Olson, while at his office had stepped to the washroom for a drink of water. While there, he fell striking the back of his neck against a sharp corner and the contusion resulted. Following the accident Mr. Olson was taken to his home where he was given immediate medical attention. Death followed a few days later.
John Peter Olson was born in Calumet, Mich., June 23rd, 1874. He came to Richland County with his parents when only five years of age. With his parents he lived on a farm on the Wild Rice river many years and attended the rural grade schools.
Later he came to Wahpeton where he attended the local high school. During his high school years, he was employed at the Miller Pharmacy. Mr. Olson was employed with this firm for seven years. He attended college at Moorhead and later finished a pharmacists course in Minneapolis.
In 1898 J. P. Olson volunteered and became a member of Co. “F” 164th Infantry. Upon medical examination it was learned that he was eligible and he later joined this company for the Spanish-American war.
During the Spanish-American war he was classed as one of the outstanding soldiers in his company taking part in all of the actions against the enemy in which his company fought. During one of the battles in which Mr. Olson took part, his soldier and life-long friend George Schneiler was killed in action.
Receiving his honorable discharge from Co “I” Mr. Olson re-enlisted with the United States Army again joining Co. “K” of the 10th Infantry. He served with the regular army until 1904, was discharged and returned home.
In August 1917, Mr. Olson entered the officers training camp at Fort Snelling with hopes that he might continue serving his country. On the second day of November of the same year he was obliged to give up his training, returning to his home on account of poor health.
In 1912 J. P. Olson entered county politics serving as deputy under Frank Budack and was later elected to the office of county treasurer. He served in that official capacity for four years. Later he served as deputy treasurer under Sievert Mauseth, which position he held at the time of his death.
Throughout his entire political career, he has been a trusted official. His work in his entire life both or his country and his county was outstanding.
His marriage to Miss Lillian Ristvedt of Princeton, Minn., took place in that city September 1st, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have lived in this county since their marriage.
The passing of Mr. Olson came as a surprise to his many friends. Apparently in good health only a few days previous, few realized that his condition was critical. Throughout the county his death is being mourned. In fitting tribute the city of Wahpeton will discontinue all business activities for a period of one hour Tuesday afternoon from two until three o’clock according to a proclamation issued by Mayor Pfister today.
Mr. Olson will be buried with military honors. His body will be in state at the Schmitt & Olson chapel until ten o’clock Tuesday morning. The body will then be removed to the Armory hall where it will lie in state until one o’clock in the afternoon.
Funeral arrangements have been taken over by the Odd Fellow lodge of which he was a member for several years. Mr. Olson was also a member of this encampment.
A military funeral for Mr. Olson will be held at the Armory hall at two o’clock in the afternoon. Rev. J. C. Wisnaes, pastor of the Bethel Lutheran church will preach the services. Special music will be furnished by Mrs. A. Torguson and Mrs. Howard B. Paulson. Interment will be made in the Fairview cemetery.
J. P. Olson was a member of the Spanish-American War, veterans Association and Odd Fellow Lodge. These organizations will attend the funeral services in a body. Members of the Wm. R. Purdon Legion Post are in charge of funeral services. Other organizations in the city are also planning to attend the last rites in a body. Spanish-American War Veterans will act as honorary pallbearers.
His wife, Ms. Lillian Olson, his father, O. E. Olson, five brothers, Eddie, Mooreton; Barney, Mooreton; Maurice, Wahpeton; Elmer of Glacier Park, Mont., and Fred of Great Falls, Mont., and three sisters, Mrs. Pearl Bezenek, of Wahpeton and Miss Marion Olson of Great Falls, Mont., and Mrs. Emma Holm, also of this city survive. Distant relatives who will be present at the last rites will be Elmer Olson, a brother of Glacier Park, Mont., and Mrs. Olson’s Sister Ms. Alice Sheels, of Minneapolis, who arrived in Wahpeton Sunday.
Headstone photograph(s)
Location
Old Fairview is located on the southern half of the cemetery grounds.