Ole H. Olson Papers

"OLE H. OLSON, the eighteenth governor of North Dakota, was born in Mondovi, Wisconsin on September 19, 1872. His education was attained at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. In 1892 he moved to Eddy County, North Dakota, where he owned and operated a successful farm. Olson first entered politics in 1916, serving as a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, a position he held two years (1917-1919). He also served in the North Dakota State Senate from 1919 to 1931; was president pro tempore of the senate in 1929; and served as the lieutenant governor of North Dakota from 1933 to 1934. On July 17, 1934 Governor William Langer was removed from office, and Olson, who was the lieutenant governor at the time, assumed the duties of the governorship. During his brief tenure, demonstrators marched at the state capitol and the National Guard was called in to quiet the protest. After leaving office, Olson retired from politics. He continued to stay active in the Farmers Union Livestock Commission, as well as becoming involved in the Farmers Union. Governor Ole H. Olson passed away on January 29, 1954 in New Rockford, North Dakota." Source: website of the National Governors Association http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_north_dakota/col2-content/main-content-list/title_olson_ole.html

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