Sivert Olson

Sivert Olson is a proprietor and owner of what is probably the largest furniture and undertaking establishment of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan.



Biography
He is a resident of Calumet, Houghton County, where he has been located for many years. Mr. Olson was born in Norway in 1850, and in the spring of 1873 came to the United States, locating in Chicago, Illinois. In the fall of the same year he removed to Houghton, Houghton County, Michigan, and secured employment with Dr. Edward Seller at his trade, which was that of a cabinetmaker. In the spring of 1874 he removed to Calumet to assume charge of a branch store which had been built and established by Mr. Seller, it being the first furniture store in Calumet. Two years later he bought out the business of his employer, and in partnership with Stephen Wold engaged in building and contracting, in addition to conducting the store. Many of the most prominent structures of the vicinity were built by this well known firm, which continued until 1888 and was then dissolved. Since that time Mr. Olson has confined his efforts strictly to the furniture and undertaking business and we feel safe in saying that in this line he has outstripped all competitors in the Northern Peninsula. He was elected trustee of the village of Red Jacket in 1886 and served for six years. He was treasurer of Calumet Township during 1890-91, and has been superintendent of Lake View Cemetery at Calumet since its organization. In politics he is a Republican and cast his first vote for President Hayes. He has frequently been a delegate to State conventions. In 1874 Mr. Olson was united in marriage with Emma Christanson of Calumet, Michigan, her parents being early settlers in the Northern Peninsula. They have two children: Julia, wife of Robert P. Mackenzie, D.D.S.; and Siguerel, who is in school. Fraternally our subject is a Mason and has advanced to the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to which he has belonged for more than 28 years; Modern Woodmen of America and Knights of the Maccabees. He has been identified with the Norwegian Lutheran Church of Calumet since its organization in 1874.