John Olson

John Edward Olson (born Johan Edward Olsen; June 15, 1892June 20, 1982) was an American farmer and Democratic politician from Barron County, Wisconsin. He served in the Wisconsin Senate during the 1949 session, after winning a special election in the 29th Senate district. He played an important role in bringing electricity to the rural communities of northwest Wisconsin, working with the Rural Electrification Administration. His name was incorrectly listed as in the 1950 Wisconsin Blue Book, and that error has propagated to later editions. Biography John E. Olson was born Johan Edward Olsen on his father's farm on June 15, 1892, in what is now the town of Sioux Creek, Barron County, Wisconsin. His mother died when he was eight, so he was largely raised by his father and older sisters. He attended public schools and then took the agriculture short course at River Falls State Normal School. He returned to Sioux Creek, where he took over his father's farm. He quickly became involved in local affairs and served as a director of the Barron County Farm Loan association from 1920 to 1942. When the town of Sioux Creek was first organized, in 1929, Olson was elected one of the first members of the town board of supervisors. Two years later, he was elected chairman of the town board and held that position until 1953. While town chairman, he was ex oficio a member of the Barron County board of supervisors, and, in 1947, he was elected chairman of the county board.