Gustaf Wilhelm Olson

Gustaf Wilhelm Olson (7 April 1876 - 19 December 1955) was a Swedish American businessman, politician, hospital administrator and consul for Sweden in America.

Early life Olson was born 7 April 1876 to Sven and Sissa (Trulsdotter) Olson in the Härlunda Parish, Kronoberg County, Småland, Sweden. In 1888, at age 12, he travelled to the United States with his father and brother where they settled in Vasa, Minnesota for a year and a half before moving to Minneapolis in the fall of 1889.

Career Printing In the fall of 1894, in partnership with Albert Sjostrand, under the firm name of Olson & Sjostrand, Olson started a job printing office. In 1898 he bought out his partner's interest and continued the business alone. In 1899 Olson unfortunately had a severe illness, during which the business ran down to such an extent that he had to sell out the stock.

Awards On 29 August 1955, Gustaf was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class from Japan for his work during World War II in protecting Japanese interests in Hawaii.

Personal life Gustaf married Tillie Olson in 1899

Gustaf was later remarried to Anice Hummel on 6 December 1941 in Honolulu, HI, the evening before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Death Gustaf and his wife left Honolulu, HI on 4 September 1955 to visit Sweden with the intention of staying for a year before returning to Hawaii. Shortly after arriving to Sweden, Gustaf experienced health complications and died on 19 December 1955.