My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE OLSEN. Passing through St. Joseph Township, Berrien County, the traveler notes with admiration a fine fruit farm on section 34. The place comprises thirty-three acres, devoted to the cultivation of small fruits, ten acres being planted to grapes, fourteen acres to blackberries and four acres to peaches, all of which Mr. Olsen,the owner of the farm, cultivates with success. Since he located here in 1884, he has introduced many improvements and effected many valuable changes, having planted the majority of the fruit trees now noticeable, and having also brought the soil to a thorough state of cultivation. The residence is an elegant structure, commanding a fine view of Lake Michigan and occupying an attractive location on the bluffs.

A Norwegian by birth, Mr. Olsen was born in the northern part of that country on the 26th of February, 1839, and is the son of Ole and Bertha (Nelson) Olsen, who emigrated from Norway to the United States about 1850, being accompanied on their removal hither by ten children. Locating in Milwaukee, the father remained there for a short time, after which he went to Michigan and settled at Muskegon, making, however, but a short sojourn at that place. He returned thence to Milwaukee, where his death occurred shortly after his return. His wife, the mother of our subject, passed away very soon after the family came to the United States.

After the death of his father, our subject secured employment in a shingle shop at Milwaukee, where he engaged in packing shingles for about two years. Afterward he filled a clerical position for two years. He then went to the pineries of Wisconsin, where for two years he manufactured shingles for other parties. Subsequently, he was employed in milling, and later engaged in the lumber and shingle business for a period covering about nineteen years, his mill being located in Little Suamico, Wis. In that village he was married in December, 1862, to Miss Julia E., the daughter of Herman Peters. Mrs. Olsen was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., whence she removed to Wisconsin and settled in Marquette County; later she removed to Little Suamico, where she remained until her marriage.

In his political belief, Mr. Olsen is a pronounced adherent of the principles of the Prohibition party, and is a very strong advocate of temperance. He has served for two years as Justice of the Peace in St. Joseph Township, and has occupied other positions of trust and honor. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is officiating as Steward. Earnest and loyal in his religious affiliations, he contributes liberally to the support of that denomination and aids in all its good work.

From this brief review of the life of Mr. Olsen the thoughtful reader may glean many lessons. In his youth he had very meagre educational advantages in Norway, and at the age of fourteen, left an orphan without money or friends, he started out to fight the battle of life unaided. From that humble beginning he has gradually worked his way upward and has accumulated a fine property. Of more value, however, than any financial consideration is his position among the honored and trusted citizens of Berrien County, and the high esteem in which he is universally held by those who know him.