Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/810

 701 HISTOKY OF GOODHUE COUNTY a good business man, successful in the best sense, a success built upon personal integrity and maintained by straightforward and fair dealing with all with whom he had to do through a long business career. But he was more than a business man. He was a most kindly neighbor, and as a citizen, loyal to all the best interests of the city. He was a member of the board of man- agers of. the State Training School for many years, served on the board of education for a long time, and has been a member of the city council. In all these positions he was efficient and faithful. He helped to organize Christ church and for many years past was one of its vestrymen. He was also a member of Red Wing lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. M. Conservative by nature, even-tempered and gentle in manner, he was a gen- tleman of the old school. He came here from New England, as one of that group of men, many of whom have passed beyond and a few of whom still remain, who have helped to indelibly impress upon the civic life of Red "Wing something of those high mihI enduring qualities that are associated with that section." The name of Mclntire is perpetuated by two sons — Henry P. and Frederick J. Swan Olson, a well known resident of Vasa, now living in retirement at Red Wing, Avas a prominent man in the former township for many years. He served as supervisor of the town, is treasurer of the Swedish Lutheran church and as president of the Farmers' Insurance Company, of Vasa. Mr. Olson was born in Sweden June 28, 1827, a son of Olla and Kirsti Nelson, natives- «']' that country. His early education was received in the schools of Sweden, where he started in life as a farmer. In the late fifties he came to America, located in Vasa township, purchased 160 acres of government land, added to this until he owned 310 Htes. and carried on general farming for many years. Like the other pioneers of his day, he broke the land, reclaimed his farm from the native prairie and built a comfortable home. In 1891 he sold fifty acres of his land and retained the rest. One year previous to this'he purchased a home on Walnut street, in Red W 7 ing, where in 1891 he moved, renting his large farm to other parties. In 1892 he purchased the Charles Spates farm. Aside from his holdings in Goodhue county, he owns 800 acres in Idaho, now occupied by his sons. Mr. Olson was married in Sweden, in 1853, to Carrie Anderson, by whom he had four children: Martha, born October 9. 1853, now of Seattle. Wash.; Ellen, born October 6. 1857. now of Featherstone township ; Andrew, born February 3, 1860. now of Idaho ; and Olof, born October 24, 1861. now engaged in railroading. After the death of his first wife, in 1861, Mr. Olson was married in 1862 to Anna Bennett, by whom he has fifteen children: Caroline, born