Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Olson, Conrad P. September 4, 1882 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 19, 2009, 4:35 pm Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company CONRAD P. OLSON. The Columbia River valley has been honored by the life and labors of Conrad P. Olson during the past two decades and he stands today in the front rank of the able old successful lawyers, wise and far-sighted statesmen and public-spirited citizens of Oregon. He was born at Clay Banks, Wisconsin, on the 4th of September, 1882, a son of August and Mary (Finan) Olson. He secured his early education in the public schools of his home neighborhood, supplemented by a course in the Stevens Point Normal School, after which he engaged in teaching school for several years, two years of that time being school principal. Having determined to devote his life to the legal profession, he entered the law school of the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws and at once entered upon the active practice of his profession. Later he was connected with the civil service commission of Wisconsin. In 1909 Mr. Olson came to Portland, Oregon, where he has practiced law to the present time. His learning and skill gained prompt recognition and during his residence in this state he has secured a large and representative clientele, being connected as counsel with much of the important litigation in the courts of Multnomah county. In 1917 Governor Withycombe tendered Mr. Olson the position of circuit judge for Multnomah county, but he declined the offer. In September, 1918, however, was appointed to the supreme court bench and, accepting the honor, served until January 10, 1919, being the youngest man to ever sit on the bench of the supreme court of this state. On his retirement he devoted his attention to the codification of the Oregon laws, covering the period between 1910 and 1920, a decade which witnessed the enactment of more laws than any other ten-year period in the history of the state. This work, which is thorough and elaborate, bears the title "Olson's Oregon Laws, 1920." In 1910 in Portland, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Nellie C. Frost, and they are the parents of two children, Margaret and Conrad Patrick, Jr. Politically, Mr. Olson has always been an active supporter of the republican party and has been influential in public affairs. He was a delegate at large to the republican convention in 1920. In 1912 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature, in which body he served so effectively that he was reelected in 1914, receiving an unusual vote. He served as chairman of the judiciary committee during that session and was recognized as floor leader of the house. In 1916 he was elected to the state senate, receiving the second highest vote, both in the primary and general election, in a large field of candidates, and in that body he served as chairman of the roads and highways committee. He drafted and introduced the bill which started the present highway system of Oregon and throughout his legislative career evinced a desire to promote in every possible way the public interests of his state, an attitude which met with the appreciation and hearty approbation of his constituents. Mr. Olson is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason belonging to Palestine Lodge No. 141, F. & A. M.; Washington Chapter No. 18, R. A. M.; and Oregon Commandery No. 1, K. T. He is also a member of Al Kader Temple of the Mystic Shrine, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Royal Arcanum, the Foresters of America, of which he has been grand chief ranger, and the Vasa Order. He belongs to the Laurelhurst Club, of which he has been a director, the Ad Club, the Portland Chamber of Commerce, the Multnomah County Bar Association, the Oregon State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He has been successful in his material affairs and is a director of various industrial concerns. In every relation of life Mr. Olson has been true to his trust, his sterling integrity of character winning for him the unqualified confidence and esteem of his fellowmen, and he stands today as one of the representative men of the Columbia River valley. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 749-750 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/bios/olson693gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 4.8 Kb