Individual 2: Olson, Donald Keith (Don)

Individual Record 2

Name} Olson, Donald Keith (Don)

Family History} Olson

Title}

Race} White

Sex} Male

Birth: Date} Exa 29 Mar 1907

Place} At home, Alhambra, Los Angeles, California

Marr.: Date} Exa 1 Oct 1944 M

Place} First Presbyterian Church, Alhambra, Los Angeles, CA (Link)

Death: Date} Exa 3 Mar 1996 D

Place} Atherton Baptist Home, Alhambra, Los Angeles, California

Burial: Date} Exa 7 Mar 1996

Place} Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, Los Angeles, California

Grave Marker} Yes

Source 1}	8 = Family Notes
Source 2}	40 = 1910 USA cen
Source 3}	162 = Letter
Source 4}	732 = 1920 USA cen
Source 5}	364 = Church recrd
Source 6}	2032=Yearbook
Source 7}	208 = School recrd
Source 8}	209 = School recrd
Source 9}	2146=School recrd
Source 10}	324 = Phone book
Source 11}	1261=Letter

Parents: } Henry John Olson & Amy Susan Noble
Relationship No.} 2

1st Household No.} 14 = Alhambra, Los Angeles, California

Occupation 1} Contractor/developer
Occupation 2} Business owner
Occupation 3} Chemical engineer

Religion/Church} Presbyterian

Spouses: Prime} Miller, Frances Dorthea (Fran)
Total Number of} 1

Source 12} 2147=Newspaper
Source 13} 1259=Letter
Source 14} 744 = 1930 USA cen
Source 15} 1238=Newspaper
Source 16} 1238=Newspaper
Source 17} 85 = School recd
Source 18} 872 = Voter record
Source 19} 988 = City directory
Source 20} 325 = Business dir
Source 21} 1255=1940 USA cen
Source 22} 1972=Military rec
Source 23} 132 = Invitation
Source 24} 2084=Marriage rec
Source 25} 1430=Marriage rec
Source 26} 1243=Newspaper
Source 27} 1257=Letter

Source 28} 68 = Business rec
Source 29} 2114=1950 USA cen
Source 30} 326 = Phone book
Source 31} 327 = Phone book
Source 32} 328 = Phone book
Source 33} 161 = Photograph
Source 34} 984 = Photograph
Source 35} 621 = Land deed
Source 36} 473 = Invitation
Source 37} 163 = Invitation
Source 38} 862 = Photograph
Source 39} 164 = Address list
Source 40} 1004=Index
Source 41} 862 = Photograph
Source 42} 213 = Photograph
Source 43} 489 = Photograph

Source 44} 620 = Photograph
Source 45} 630 = Photograph
Source 46} 671 = Photograph
Source 47} 673 = Photograph
Source 48} 1332=Photograph
Source 49} 461 = Death certif
Source 50} 533 = Death record
Source 51} 541 = S.S. record
Source 52} 680 = S.S. record
Source 53} 455 = Obituary
Source 54} 462 = Newspaper
Source 55} 463 = Certificate
Source 56} 456 = Funeral rec
Source 57} 457 = Funeral rec
Source 58} 1094=Cemetery rec
Source 59} 179 = Cemetery rec

Notes: Donald Keith Olson was born to Henry J. Olson and Amy S. Noble on 29 Mar 1907 in Alhambra, California at 340 Wilson Avenue, a house his father had built in 1905. Wilson was later renamed Atlantic Avenue, and the small house was still occupied into the 21st Century. He died in Alhambra, at the Atherton Baptist Home, located at 214 S. Atlantic, just a few blocks south of his birthplace. Until his semi-retirement to Mt. Baldy in 1980, he lived his entire life in Alhambra.

In the 1910 U.S. census, Donald Keith, 3, was living with his parents, Henry J. Olson, 30, and Amy Noble Olson, 29, at 326 Wilson, Alhambra. His father was the manager of the Alhambra Planing Mill. Agnes Wilma, his sister was born in 1911.

Don's paternal grandparents, Hans and Mary Olson, lived at 336 N. Wilson Avenue just south of the family, and his aunts and uncle's lived nearby. His maternal grandmother, Agnes Detwiller Noble, seen in the photograph at near left, also lived nearby. He was closest friends with his cousin Lewis Lawyer, who was just six weeks younger. There were always family gatherings and birthday parties for the cousins and their friends, which were duly reported in the Los Angeles Times, the Alhambra Advocate, and the Alhambran. A photograph taken at his sixth birthday party is on the left. His fourth birthday party was reported as follows: One of the pleasant events in society circles this week was the children's party given by Mrs. Henry J. Olson, 326 North Wilson Avenue, last Wednesday afternoon [29 March 1911] in honor of the fourth birthday of her son Donald Keith Olson. Those present were Mrs. Lawyer and son Lewis, Mrs. Heyman and daughter Ruth, Mrs. Winsor and daughter Elizabeth and son Edwin, Mrs. Ferrell and son Frederick, Mrs. Carr and daughter Evelyn, Mrs. Behlow and son Lewis, Mrs. Noble and son William of Los Angeles, Mrs. Dean and son Walter and daughter Marion of Ontario, California, Mrs. Mary Noble and grandmothers Noble and Olson. In the 1920 U.S. census, Donald K., 12, and his sister Agnes W., 8, were living with their parents, Henry J. Olson, 39, and Amy N., 38, on North Wilson, Alhambra. Their father was the manager of a planing mill. Donald and Agnes were both attending school.

Meanwhile, Don's father Henry was building a much larger, two-story home at 420 North Second Street, several blocks north (seen in photo at right). The family moved to the Second Street home about 1922 or 1923. Don attended Garfield Avenue School, Alhambra City Schools, from 1913 to 1921. The school was located 1/2 block north of his home. His report cards show all 1's and 2's. In eighth grade, his teacher Edith C. Wilson wrote: "Superior development shown in self control, honesty, trustworthiness. Careful training needed to overcome natural reserve & shyness." These comments summed up Don's lifelong personal character.

Don attended Alhambra City High School from 1921 through 1925. The school was located 4 blocks south of his home. His grades were average, above average and superior, and included English, Oral Expression, Spanish, Social Problems, History, Civics, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Chemistry, Physics, Freehand Drawing, Mechanical Drawing, Typing, and Gym. He was a member of the Scholarship Society for seven semesters, and a life member in the California Scholarship Federation. He also played on the Alhambra High School football team (see photo at left). His graduating class had a final awards night, presenting a three skit program that included all class members, and which was lit by new lighting equipment, their class gift to A.H.S.

The Olson family was very talented musically. Don played the piano and a ukulele seen at the left. He was also a good tenor. Agnes played the banjo, and Henry played the violin. All of the instruments are in the possession of Karen Hancock. Don also enjoyed hiking in the San Gabriel mountains when the family visited Camp Baldy. Don and his cousin Paul Dean are shown at right after completing the climb to the top of Mt. San Antonio (Old Baldy), along with his cousin Walter Dean.

In 1925, after high school, Don entered the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. His major was Engineering. He played football and basketball (see photo on left) on Cal Tech's varsity teams, although he was neither heavy nor tall as are today's players. He was a member of the Phi Alpha Tau and Pi Kappa Sigma fraternities, and treasurer in Phi Alpha Tau. He and his fraternity brothers got together socially well into 1980's. He was a member of the R.O.T.C., and his sword is in the possession of Karen Hancock. In June 1927, he drove north in his old Ford to the Presidio in Monterey to attend training with R.O.T.C. Engineers, Company C. His mother wrote him a letter asking why he had not contacted her upon arriving successfully.

The entire family became ill with tuberculosis in the mid-twenties. His sister Agnes died on 19 Jan 1929, in her senior year of high school.

In the 1930 U.S. census, Donald K., 23, was living with his parents, Henry J. Olson, 50, and Amy, 49, in the family home on Second Street, Alhambra. His father was the proprietor of the planing mill. they owned the house valued at $12,000. and had a radio set. Living with them was Don's grandmother, Mary Olson, 74, and his cousin Maurice G. Noble, 26, an insurance auditor.

Don graduated 9 Jun 1933 with a Bachelor of Science in Science. It took him eight years to complete his degree due to contacting tuberculosis of the lungs. At some point during his college career, the Cal Tech newspaper reported that he had gotten too much bromine gas in the chem lab. As a result he spent a some time in a sanitarium. His father Henry died on 9 May 1934 of renal tuberculosis

During and after college, Don was quite a ladies man. When coming home from late evenings in Pasadena, he would cut off his car's engine, and coast from Huntington Drive, down Atlantic to Second Street, and into the family driveway at 420 North Second Street. Beside school buddies, his group of friends included members of the Presbyterian church choir. Social events, trips to the mountains and beaches, camping and picnics were all enjoyed. His mother was beginning to despair that he would never marry, and that she would never have any grandchildren. When he finally married at the age of 37, she ended up with seven grandchildren, and lived to see five great-grandchildren.

In the 1940 U.S. census, Donald Olson, 33, and his mother Amy, 59, were living alone in the family home at 420 North Second St., Alhambra. Don was the proprietor of his own business, had other income, and had completed 4 years of college. His mother had completed 3 years of college.

Donald Keith Olson, 33, registered for the World War II draft on 16 Oct 1940. He was self-employed at the Alhambra Planing Mill, and was described as 5'8", 170 lbs., with light complexion, brown hair and blue eyes. He had pitted skin on his right cheek.

Donald Keith Olson, 37, married Frances Dorthea Miller, 21, on 1 Oct 1944, in the First Presbyterian Church, Alhambra, Los Angeles, California. Don and Fran's first home was at 1025 Edith Avenue, Alhambra. In Aug 1947 they moved to 420 N. Second Street, Alhambra, where they raised their family of seven children. In 1980, they moved to their retirement home in Mt. Baldy, California, seen at right.

Don held a variety of jobs over his long work career. When his father died in 1934, he took over the sash and door business, named the Alhambra Planing Mill. On March 24, 1936, he went to work for Pres-A-Lite as a chemical engineer. Richard (Dick) Lawyer, his cousin, ran the business when Don was employed as an engineer. In 1944, he was employed as a inspector for the Southwest Welding & Manufacturing Company. He also worked at Union Carbide, but the work was too heavy, so he eventually came back to the sash and door business. He ran the business side, while Dick did the selling. It was about this time that he hired Nacho, a Mexican-American, as a general maintenance man. As he recalled, Nacho's wife made the best tamales. Don voted as a registered Republican for his entire life.

In the 1950 U.S. census, Donald K. Olson, 43, and Frances D., 26, were living in the family home in Alhambra. Don was the proprietor of his "door factory". Their children were Karen L., 4, Kristin E., 3, Peter H., 1, and Eric R., 0.

About 1948-1950, the county bought the land at the corner of Second Street and Woodward for a courthouse, paying for a "going business". Don and his mother split the proceeds. When the business moved from Woodward to 108 South Palm Avenue, in the southern part of Alhambra, it was renamed the Alhambra Sash & Door Company. Dick left to return to work for Frank Olson, their uncle. At some later date Milton Bade (Bade) came into the business, and he and Don became long time partners. In January 1975, the Alhambra Redevelopment Agency acquired the Palm Avenue property for the Alhambra Industrial Redevelopment Project. Don and his wife Fran were paid $68.000. for the warehouse, shop, office and showroom. After the company ceased business, Don and Bade turned to other projects.

Don held a California State Contractors license, using it under the company name Alhambra Planing Mill (1941). He and Bade, worked under other various entities, including Bade and Olson, Co. (1966), Mildon Co. (1972), and Bade Construction Co. (1981). Among their projects was the buying of old homes or vacant lots in the Arcadia and Temple City area, and building new, upscale homes. They also acquired commercial property, leasing it to others.

Don was baptized in the Alhambra First Presbyterian Church on January 29th 1908 when it was still an old wooden building. The current building was built in 1927, and an addition was built in the 1950's. Don became a communicant member on January 7th 1922. He joined the choir in 1938, as a tenor. The choir leader was a Mr. Burger, followed by Mr. Gold, and later Mr. Smith. His future wife Frances Miller joined the choir in late 1940. John Stewart became the organist and choir director in January 1941, remaining there until his sudden death in the late 1960's. All of Don's seven children were baptized in this church, the last five by Rev. Russell Prentice. Don was a deacon, an elder, and a trustee, serving often on the session.

On March 21, 1982, Don was singing in the choir, his wife Frances was the guest organist, and their oldest grandaughter Tiffany Holliday played flute to accompany the choir.

In the 1980's Don returned to college to pursue his interest in botany and other subjects, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Los Angeles. The young women college students always wanted to ride with Don on class field trips, as he drove an air-conditioned Cadillac.

On Sunday, 30 Sep 1984, the children of Don and Frances helped them celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in the home of Karen and Dan Hancock. And on Sunday, 29 Mar 1987, Dan was surprised!! by family and friends with a big 80th Birthday luncheon at Almansor Court, Alhambra. In 1994, Don and his wife celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary, with a party at the home of their son David Olson. Don is pictured at the far right, celebrating with his cousins, including Richard and Lewis Lawyer, Betty Kimball, and Ray and Larry Olson.

Over the many years, Don took thousands of photographs, recording the activities of his friends, relatives, and then of his children. Most of them are in the form of 35mm color slides. Sitting down for an evening of slides was a favorite family activity. Don was always interested in the family history, telling many family stories throughout the years. Many of these stories are included in the Notes of the persons involved.

In his later years, Don was diagnosed with cancer of the prostate. He had a stroke in 1985. Up to his last year he took daily walks in the mountains, and worked on clearing brush from, and maintaining one of the trails. In The Baldy Breeze, after his death in 1996, he was remembered for his trail, the "Olson Trail", above the Glendora Ridge Road to the Cow Canyon Saddle.

Donald Keith Olson died of a malignant brain tumor on 3 Mar 1986, just short of his 89th birthday. He was at that time in a convalescent hospital on Atlantic, just a block from where he was born. His funeral service was held 7 Mar 1996, at the First Presbyterian Church, Alhambra. Participating were Dr. Foster H. Shannon, Pastor, The Rev. Russell Prentice, Mr. Stennis Waldon, Organist, Mr. Don Bowers, Soloist, and Mr. Walter Bitely, Usher. Interment followed at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California.