Biographies: O

1902 Biographies

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O’BYRNE, MATTHEW, Jr.: Farmer; born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 26, 1863. His father Matthew, came from Ireland to the United States in 1848 settling in Milwaukee. They lived there until 1864, when they removed to Peoria, and in 1879, took up their residence in this township, where he owns a far. Matthew O’Byrne, jr., remained on the farm until 1897, when he went to Edelstein, where he learned the harness-making trade. In March 1898, he opened a store, where he manufactures harness and horse furnishings. In September, 1892, he was married to Catharine, daughter of Matthew McDonnell, one of the old settlers of the township. They have two daughters: Anna and Marie, Mr. O’Byrne is a Democrat and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. (Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, 1902, page 707, submitted by Daniel Grachek)

OLANDER, FREDERICK; Grocer; was born in Sweden February 6, 1862, a son of Olaf and Margaret (Hurlting) Olander, who were natives of Sweden. He early learned the painter's trade, at which he worked, in Peoria for five years after coming to America, in 1882. He then embarked in business as a grocer and dealer in coal and feed, which he carried on for fourteen years at Nos. 305 and 307 Antoinette Street. In July, 1900, he removed to 308 Antoinette Street, near the corner of Warren, where he owns a block of land 100 feet square on which are several buildings, including a residence at 532 Warren Street. Mr. Olander married Hannah Swanson at Peoria, November 24, 1886, and they have three children, named Allen, Edward and Ethel Lucile. Mr. Olander, who is a Republican, was elected Alderman of the Seventh Ward in 1899, and in the City Council served as a member of four committees, and chairman of the committees on sewers, sidewalks and crossings. He was, for two years, a member of the Peoria Republican Central Committee. He is identified with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Khorassan, the Heptasophs, the Knights and Ladies of Honor, the Red Men, the Turners and the Swedish Singing Society of Peoria. (Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, 1902, page 612, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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OLANDER, SWAN; Railway Foreman; was born in Sweden, September 1, 1839, a son of Olaf and Bertha (Larsen) Jensen, natives of Sweden. Olaf Jensen was born in 1800 and died in 1842. The family came to America in 1868 and located at Princeton and removed to Peoria in 1873. The mother died in 1886. Olaf and Bertha Jensen had children named John, Betsey, Ole and Swan, besides three who died in infancy. Swan Olander was married in Sweden, April 28, 1865, to Anna Carlson, daughter of Carl Magnusson and his wife Christina, both of whom were born in Sweden, the father in 1824. Mrs. Olander had brothers and sisters named Elsie, Caroline, Hannah, Carl and Swan, and another who died in infancy. Her father died about 1885; her mother is living. Swan and Anna Olander have had children named Hannah, Emma N., Ida A., Anna L. and Albert E., besides five others deceased. The family are members of the Swedish Lutheran Church. Mr. Olander is a Republican. He has been in the railroad service thirty-one years, and for twenty-eight years has been yard foreman in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. He is a member of the Burlington Volunteer Relief Corps, and has been trustee of his church organization. (Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, 1902, pages 612-613, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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OLSON, OLANDER; Locomotive Engineer; was born at Corlsom, Sweden, September 6, 1861, a son of Olaf and Betsy (Swanson) Larson, also natives of Corlsom. Mr. Olson's paternal ancestors were farmers and his grandfather fought under Napoleon in the latter's German campaigns. From the age of fifteen to the age of twenty-one years Olander Olson worked on a farm at Longburg, ten miles from Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein. He then sailed from Amsterdam for America and came directly to Peoria by way of New York. He arrived June 20, 1882, and at once entered upon a connection with the Peoria & Pekin Railroad Company, which has continued to the present time. For a time he was a section laborer, then a wiper in the round-house, then boiler-maker's and machinist's helper in turn, and later he had charge of the workmen who removed about a hundred of the company's wrecked cars from the ruins of the burned elevator A. In 1890, after having served two years as a fireman, he became a locomotive engineer, and for ten years he has been in charge of an engine in the switch yards. Mr. Olson married Betsy Swanson, at Peoria, October 16, 1885, and they have six children: Oscar W.. Fred A., Bernard S.. Bertha D. O., John Elmer and George L. Mrs. Olson was born at Malmo, Sweden, April 25, 1862, a daughter of Swan and Selma (Johnson) Benson, and came to America in 1884 and located at Peoria. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are Lutherans. In politics Mr. Olson is independent. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is influential in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He owns a fine two-story and basement residence at 628 Warren Street, which contains twelve rooms. (Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, 1902, page 613, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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