Obert A. Olson (April 23, 1882 – August 22, 1938) was a North Dakota public servant and politician with the

Republican Party Republican Party is a name used by many political parties around the world, though the term most commonly refers to the United States' Republican Party. Republican Party may also refer to: Africa *Republican Party (Liberia) * Republican Part ...

( Nonpartisan League faction). Olson served as a state legislator (1917-1918, 1925–1928),

State Treasurer In the state governments of the United States, 48 of the 50 states have the executive position of treasurer. New York abolished the position in 1926; duties were transferred to New York State Comptroller. Texas abolished the position of Texas ...

(1919-1920), and mayor of Bismarck (1937-1938).

Biography

Early life

Obert A. Olson was born on April 23, 1882, in Rock Dell, Minnesota. His parents were Halvor and Sophia (Swerig) Olson. He attended school in Minnesota and later the Southern Minnesota Normal College. In October 1905, he moved to Bowman, North Dakota. He took up a homestead and became one of the first settlers of the area. He set up a farm and cattle operation and also started a real estate business in Bowman.

Early political career

Olson quickly become involved in local politics. Upon the organization of Bowman County, he served as its first auditor from 1907 to 1911. He served on the Bowman city commission from 1915 to 1916. In 1916, he was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives, serving one term (1917-1918).

State treasurer

During the mid to late 1910s, Olson became involved with the Nonpartisan League (NPL). In 1918, he was endorsed by the NPL and elected

. He served one term from 1919 to 1920. Olson was a dedicated member of the NPL and its ideals. However, he began to disagree with some of the actions of the NPL's leaders. During the 1919 regular session of the state legislature, he spoke out against the newspaper and Board of Administration bills that were supported by the NPL. In a statement, Olson said, "I believe the printing bills and the board of administration bills should be referred. Neither of these measures has anything to do with the league program. They were 'wished upon us,' and I cannot see any good to be accomplished from their operation. I am for the league and its program, first, last and all the time, but I do not consider the schemes of this type, originating with one or two men, part of the league program, and I do not believe it will help the league to put them on our statute-books." Olson also had a strained relationship with

A. C. Townley Arthur Charles Townley (December 30, 1880 – November 7, 1959) was an American political organizer best known as the founder of the Nonpartisan League, National Non-Partisan League (NPL), a farmers' organization which had considerable political ...

, president of the NPL. Olson became president of the Farmers' Insurance Company, which had its home office in Dickinson. Townley viewed this organization and its activities as undermining the efforts of the NPL. Townley accused Olson of "using his public office to alienate the good will and certain support of the farmer," which Townley believed was rightfully due to the NPL. Olson shot back that "he would run his own business." In October 1919, between the regular and special legislative sessions, there was talk of impeaching Olson for speaking out against the NPL. Olson was grouped in with the other "troublemakers," William Langer,

Thomas Hall Thomas Hall may refer to: Politicians *Thomas Hall (North Dakota politician) (1869–1958), American U.S. congressman for North Dakota * Thomas Hall (Ohio politician), Ohio state Representative *Thomas Hall (MP for Lincolnshire) (1619–1667), MP ...

, and Carl Kositzky, who had openly defected from the NPL. No impeachment happened, but NPL leaders did block Olson's re-election attempt in 1920. After his falling out, Olson distanced himself from the NPL. However, in a surprise move, or perhaps to make amends, the NPL endorsed Olson for state treasurer again in 1922. Olson lost to incumbent John Steen in the primary election.

Later political career

In 1924, Olson was elected to the North Dakota Senate, serving from 1925 to 1928. In 1937, Olson was elected mayor of Bismarck. However, he died in office one year later in August 1938.

Personal life

On November 16, 1910, Olson married Mildred C. Gibson. Olson was buried at Saint Mary's Cemetery in

Burleigh County, North Dakota Burleigh County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 98,458, making it the second-most populous county in North Dakota. Its county seat is Bismarck, the state capital. The county was named fo ...

Political offices

*1907-1911: Auditor of Bowman County *1915-1916: Bowman City Commission *1917-1918: North Dakota House of Representatives *1918-1919: North Dakota State Treasurer *1925-1958: North Dakota Senate *1937-1938: Mayor of Bismarck

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Olson, Obert A. 1882 births 1938 deaths State treasurers of North Dakota 20th-century American politicians Mayors of Bismarck, North Dakota Politicians from Bismarck, North Dakota People from Bismarck, North Dakota Nonpartisan League politicians North Dakota state senators Members of the North Dakota House of Representatives