William Olson

William Olson (October 11, 1873 – November 1, 1931) was an American politician. A Republican and Progressive, he served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Wisconsin State Senate.

Biography Olson was born on October 11, 1873, in Jordan, Wisconsin. He worked on his parents' farm and attended public schools, going on to study at the Northern Indiana Normal School. He worked as an educator during winters and in 1898, established a dairy farm. He was also a banker, local school administrator, and town clerk.

Olson was a member of the Republican Party and the Wisconsin Progressive Party. He served as a town supervisor, and beginning in 1916, a member of the county board. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1919 to 1925; he was part of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture in 1919 and served as its president from 1921 to 1923. In 1921, he ran for Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, with Riley S. Young winning after four ballots were run.

Olson represented Wisconsin's 17th Senate district in the State Senate, from 1930, to until his death in 1931. During his tenure, he served on the State Governor's Council, under Robert M. La Follette. Politically, he supported cooperatives. A special election was held following his death, which was won by George Engebretson.