Theodore R. Olson, characterized by a spirit of marked enterprise and progressiveness. is proprietor of a five and ten cent store, located at No. 1354 Washington avenue in Racine. His colleagues and contemporaries recognize him as a most wide-awake and progressive business man whose activities are typical of the spirit of the times, and thus it was that he was chosen president of the Junction Business Men’s Association, of which he was one of the organizers. He was born in North Cape, Wisconsin, October 18, 1878, a son of Soren and Sina Olson, both of whom are natives of Aalborg, Denmark, but were married in this country. In early life the father came to the United States and settled at North Cape. While residing on a farm he also carried on blacksmithing.
During the infancy of his son, Theodore, he removed to Racine, where he established a smithy which he conducted for many years but retired from active business about five years ago and is now at the age of seventy-eight years enjoying well earned rest which is the merited reward of his former industry and activity. Although now well advanced in years, he is still hale and hearty. His wife is living at the age of sixty-eight years. In their family were eight children: John, deceased; Mary, the wife of Frank Kammerer, of Racine; Martin, a machinist of Everett, Washington; Julius A., a practicing dentist of Racine; Emma, the wife of W. H. Richardson, of this city; Theodore R.; Edith, the wife of W. H. Christensen, of Racine; and Arthur, who has passed away.
After mastering elementary branches of learning Theodore R. Olson attended high school in Racine and subsequently pursued a pharmaceutical course. Following his graduation he entered into active connection with the drug business in 1895 and for eleven years was all employee of the Robinson Drug Company, remaining with the house during several changes in its ownership and acting as manager of the store. He also spent six years upon the road as traveling salesman for the S. C. Johnson Company and five years ago, or in 1911, embarked in his present line of business, establishing a five and ten cent store at No. 1354 Washington avenue in Racine. In the establishment he has been accorded a very liberal patronage and his trade has reached substantial and gratifying proportions.
In 1908 Mr. Olson was married to Miss Millie Kempf, of Racine, the wedding ceremony being performed in Buffalo, New York. Mrs. Olson is a daughter of George Kempf. of Racine. In politics Mr. Olson is a stalwart advocate of the Republican Party and is now serving for the second year as alderman of Racine from. the eleventh ward. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Belle City Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M.; Orient Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M.; Racine Commandery, No. 7, K. T.; the Wisconsin Consistory, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite; and Tripoli Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also a member of the Elks lodge of Racine and is the first sergeant of the Elks Marching Club. He attends local churches and gives his aid and influence to further all the projects and practical movements for the benefit of the city along material, social, political and moral lines. He is a very energetic and enterprising man, always alert and readily recognizing opportunities for the city’s benefit. No one questions the sincerity of his public-spirited efforts and his friends cite many evidences of his devotion to the general good.