Olfson Hans02

Waupaca Post

May 30, 1907

`Hans Olfson, Sr., died at the home of his son, P.M. Olfson, in this city, on Monday night, after an illness of several weeks. In his death Waupaca county loses another old and respected pioneer, who has done his share in developing the county, and who was well known and well liked all over the county.

He was born in Sweden, May 18, 1840 and was therefore a little more than sixty-seven years old at the time of his demise. He came to this country with his parents in 1852, his father purchasing eighty acres of land on section 15, town of Farmington, and afterward buying additional land in section 16, adjoining. Here Mr. Olfson grew to manhood, at the age of nineteen starting to work for himself. In 1858 he was married to Miss Margaret Thompson, who passed away last summer. Of this union three children were born: Peter M. Olfson, of this city; Hans Olfson, Jr., of Sheridan, and Oliver, who died some years ago at Sheridan. After his marriage Mr. Olfson went to housekeeping on the home farm, and when his parents died he became its owner, living there until after his wife’s death, since which time he has made his home with his sons, either at Sheridan or in this city. In 1877 he went into the mercantile business at Sheridan, combining with it buying grain and potatoes, and being succeeded by his sons a few years ago. Though always a staunch Republican, he was never an office seeker, though he served the town as treasurer for ten yeas, and as assessor two years. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and was always liberal in church work.

The funeral will be held on Thursday afternoon from the home of P.M. Olfson, and interment will be at the cemetery near the Swede church, where his wife is buried.