Born in Stod parish, Trondheim County, Norway, June 29, 1849, his parents being Ole and Olava (Brunstad) Oleson. O. M. Oleson was reared in land of the midnight sun and there received a common-school education. His early experiences were those of the farm boy but in his youth he made his way to Christiania, the capital, where he secured employment with a florist and landscape gardener. Thinking that better opportunities would be afforded in the new world, he came to the United States in 1870 and secured a position upon a farm near Fort Dodge, being thus employed for two years. At the end of that time he became connected with the drug trade and has continuously engaged in that business. He started in a small way but has built up a fine business. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, in 1870. Selling good goods at the right price has been the principal feature in his success and as president of the Oleson Drug Company he is at the head of one of the important mercantile enterprises of the city. He is president of the Fort Dodge Telephone Company, of the Fort Dodge Light & Power Company, also of the Oleson Land Company, the Fort Dodge Hotel Company and the Iowa Trust & Live Stock Company. Mr. Oleson has been married twice. He first wedded Lucy Deming. Mrs. Oleson passed away in 1904. Mr. Oleson was again married to Miss Julia Haskell. Mrs. Oleson is a member of the Congregational church, while Mr. Oleson still belongs to St. Olaf's Lutheran church, of which he was treasurer. In politics Mr. Oleson stands with the progressive element which is seeking the betterment of political conditions and endeavoring to thwart the use of the party for individual or corporation interests instead of promoting the welfare of the great majority. He was elected state senator and represented his district in the upper house of the general assembly in 1892 and 1894.

Born in Stod parish, Trondheim County, Norway, June 29, 1849, his parents being Ole and Olava (Brunstad) Oleson. O. M. Oleson was reared in land of the midnight sun and there received a common-school education. His early experiences were those of the farm boy but in his youth he made his way to Christiania, the capital, where he secured employment with a florist and landscape gardener. Thinking that better opportunities would be afforded in the new world, he came to the United States in 1870 and secured a position upon a farm near Fort Dodge, being thus employed for two years. At the end of that time he became connected with the drug trade and has continuously engaged in that business. He started in a small way but has built up a fine business. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, in 1870. Selling good goods at the right price has been the principal feature in his success and as president of the Oleson Drug Company he is at the head of one of the important mercantile enterprises of the city. He is president of the Fort Dodge Telephone Company, of the Fort Dodge Light & Power Company, also of the Oleson Land Company, the Fort Dodge Hotel Company and the Iowa Trust & Live Stock Company. Mr. Oleson has been married twice. He first wedded Lucy Deming. Mrs. Oleson passed away in 1904. Mr. Oleson was again married to Miss Julia Haskell. Mrs. Oleson is a member of the Congregational church, while Mr. Oleson still belongs to St. Olaf's Lutheran church, of which he was treasurer. In politics Mr. Oleson stands with the progressive element which is seeking the betterment of political conditions and endeavoring to thwart the use of the party for individual or corporation interests instead of promoting the welfare of the great majority. He was elected state senator and represented his district in the upper house of the general assembly in 1892 and 1894.