Individual 4: Olson, Henry John

Individual Record 4

Name} Olson, Henry John

Family History} Olson

Title}

Race} White

Sex} Male

Birth: Date} Fam 31 Jan 1880

Place} Spring Valley, Lincoln, Nevada

Marr.: Date} Exa 20 Jun 1906

Place} Noble home, Ontario, San Bernardino, California (Link)

Death: Date} Exa 9 May 1934 C

Place} At home, 420 N. Second St., Alhambra, Los Angeles, California

Burial: Date} Exa 12 May 1934

Place} San Gabriel Cemetery, San Gabriel, Los Angeles, California

Grave Marker} Yes

Source 1}	9 = Geog history
Source 2}	10 = Geog history
Source 3}	72 = Bible record
Source 4}	27 = 1880 USA cen
Source 5}	709 = Photograph
Source 6}	364 = Church rec
Source 7}	1136=Photograph
Source 8}	420 = Newspaper
Source 9}	421 = Newspaper
Source10}	424 = Newspaper
Source11}	425 = Newspaper

Parents: } Hans Olson & Mary Staheli
Relationship No.} 4

1st Household No.} 21 = Spring Valley, Nevada

Occupation 1} Laborer
Occupation 2} Carpenter
Occupation 2} Proprietor

Religion/Church} Presbyterian

Spouses: Prime} Noble, Amy Susan
Total Number of} 1

Source 12} 427 = Newspaper
Source 13} 16 = 1900 USA cen
Source 14} 1141=Newspaper
Source 15} 369 = Mariage rec
Source 16} 1430=Marriage rec
Source 17} 1226=Newspaper
Source 18} 40 = 1910 USA cen
Source 19} 322 = Business dir
Source 20} 845 = Military rec

Source 21} 872 = Voter rec
Source 22} 468 = 1920 USA cen
Source 23} 2143=Auto regist
Source 24} 988 = City dircty
Source 25) 323 = Phone book
Source 26} 324 = Phone book
Source 27} 1264=Cemetery rec
Source 28} 744 = 1930 USA cen
Source 29} 104 = Heirloom/Mem

Source 30} 213 = Photograph
Source 31} 671 = Photograph
Source 32} 709 = Photograph
Source 33} 2144=Death index
Source 34} 141 = Death certif
Source 35} 432 = Obituary
Source 36} 433 = Newspaper
Source 37} 19 = Cemetery rec
Source 38} 2141=Cemetery rec

Notes: Henry John Olson was born 31 Jan 1880 in Spring Valley, Lincoln, Nevada, a small mining town. He was the third of seven children of Hans Olson and Mary Staheli. In the 1880 U.S. census, Henry, 4 months old, was living with his parents, Hans Olsen, 48, and Mary, 24, in Spring Valley. His father was a farmer. His two sisters were Josephine, 4, and Ida, 2.

He moved with his family to near Jacksonville, Oregon, where his brother George was born in 1882. They moved overland by wagon,and resettled in Alhambra, California in late 1882, when he was about two and a-half years old.

Henry first attended a little school on the corner of Chapel and Beacon Streets. He later attended Garfield Public School when it was opened in 1886. He was a member of the first graduating class in June 1895. Years later, both of his children, and then all seven of his grandchildren attended Garfield. As there was no additional schooling in Alhambra, he attended Los Angeles State Normal School in downtown Los Angeles. This is where he probably met Amy Noble, his future wife. In later years, he was a member of the Alhambra Board of Education.

In the 1900 U.S. census, Henry Olson, 20, a farm laborer, was living with his parents, Hans Olson, 67, and Mary, 44, in the family residence at 336 North Wilson Avenue, Alhambra, Los Angeles, California. His father was a farmer. His siblings were Josephine, 23, a school teacher, Ida, 22, George, 17, a farm laborer, Frank, 15, Lillie, 12, and Mabel, 10. The younger three all attended school.

Alhambra in those days consisted of a few scattered farm houses, while in the village there were two stores, and a blacksmith shop. The Post Office was located in the general store. Paved streets were unknown, the village roads being nothing but dusty country roads. A natural lake north of the village was the old swimming pool; and quail and other wild game were hunted by Henry and his brothers for food. Nearly everyone rode bicycles, and bicycle races were common entertainment. When Garfield Avenue was cut south from the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks (which went to the Pacific Ocean), Hans Olson, his father, planted ornamental camphor trees along the thoroughfare. It was Henry's job to carry the water to keep the trees alive.

As a young man, Henry was quite the ladies man, and he and his friends and family held and attended many parties and picnics. The newspapers of the day were filled with the local social events. In 1899, he was a founder and treasurer of the Eccentric Bachelor Club, and chairman of its Soldier's Reception Committee. He was second tenor in a quartet, and also entertained with his violin. The violin is currently in the possession of his granddaughter Karen Hancock.

Henry apprenticed as a carpenter in his youth, and after his schooling began as an employee in a lumber yard. In 1905, he and his father established the Alhambra Planing Mill at the corner of Second Street and Woodbury Avenue. In 1914, the wooden building was destroyed by fire, a total loss as he had no insurance. He immediately rebuilt it, this time out of metal, seen in photograph at right. The planing mill was greatly needed by the growing city, and it was equipped with all of the modern machinery necessary for the building industry.

On 20 June 1906, Henry Olson married Amy Noble in her family home in Ontario, San Bernardino, California. He built a home for them at 340 Wilson Avenue, Alhambra, next door to his parents home. Their son, Donald Keith, was born here in 1907. Henry is listed as a registered voter here in 1908-10.

In the 1910 U.S. census, Henry J. Olson, 30, and Amy Noble Olson, 29, were living at 340 N. Wilson Ave., Alhambra. Henry was the manager of the planing mill. Their home was free of any mortgage. Their son Donald Keith was 3. Their daughter Agnes Wilma was born in 1911. The 1915 Alhambra Business directory lists them at this address.

Henry registered for the World War draft on 12 Sep 1918. He was 38 years old at the time, married, with two children, and the owner of his own mill. He was described as being of medium height and build, with blue eyes and brown hair.

In the 1920 U.S. census, Henry J. Olson, 39, and Amy N., 38, were living in their home at 340 N. Wilson Avenue, Alhambra. Henry was now the employer at the Alhambra Planing Mill. The children, Donald K., 12, and Agnes W., 8, both attended Garfield School.

In 1920 Henry is listed in the voting records as a Republican. And in 1921, he is listed as the registered owner of a 1921 Touring Studebaker. About 1922, Henry built the large historic family home on a double wide lot at 420 North Second Street in Alhambra, shown in the photo at left. This was an extra large home for a family with only two children, but later proved to be the right size for Don's family of seven children. The 1923 and 1926 Alhambra Directories lists him and his wife, at this address.

In 1925, Henry, with the help of the his family, built the family's vacation cabin in the village at Mt. Baldy, in the nearby San Gabriel mountains. The cabin was used by all members of their extended family and by their friends. The photographs at the right show Amy supervising as the family works, and the cabin after a snowstorm.

Daughter Agnes became ill with tuberculosis in October 1928, her senior year of high school, and died 29 Jan 1929, just months short of graduation. Henry purchased a family plot in the San Gabriel Cemetery where she is buried.

In the 1930 U.S. census, Henry J. Olson, 50, and Amy N., 49, were living at 420 N. Second Street, Alhambra. They owned their home, valued at $12,000. and had a radio set. He was the proprietor of a planing mill. In the household was their son, Donald K., 23, his mother Mary Olson, 74, and a nephew, Maurice Noble, 25. Donald was going to the California Institute of Technology at Pasadena, and later took over the planing mill when Henry died.

Henry was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Alhambra Lodge, No. 322,; the Royal Arch Masons, San Gabriel Valley Chapter, No. 100; Order of Knights Templar Alhambra Commandery, No. 48; Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (the "Shriners"), Al Malaikah Temple at Los Angeles; Knights of Pythias, Alhambra Lodge No. 127; and the Alhambra Kiwanis Club. His various pins for these organizations, and his ceremonial Masonic sword and scabbard are in the possession of Karen Hancock.

Henry died at home on 9 May 1934 at the age of 54. Cause of death was renal tuberculosis. At the the time of his death he had been the proprietor of the Alhambra Planning Mill for 30 years, working up to a month before his death.

Funeral services were held Saturday, 11 May 1934 at the chapel of Turner, Steven & Turner in Alhambra, the Rev. Norman K. Tully, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Graveside services conducted by the Alhambra Lodge No. 322, F.& M.A., were held at the Olson family plot in the San Gabriel Cemetery, with an escort provided by the Alhambra Commandery No. 48, Knights Templar. Henry was a well known and prominent member of the community, and the pall bearers included Judge W.M. Northrup.