Tom Mathias Olson

Thomas Mathias Olson, better known as Tom M. Olson, was a traveling evangelist for over 60 years.

Family

Birth

Tom Mathias Olson was born Feb. 23, 1888 in Chicago, Illinois. His father was Thorwald Methenias Olson, a carpenter. Thorwald spelled his name Toward in 1900; He was born in Nov. 1860 in Norway, son of Tobias Olson & Aosolle Hanson Olson. He died in 1941 in Seattle, WA.

Tom's mother was Fredericka Smith Olson, born May 1870 in Denmark.

Tom's siblings:

• Bendrick Olson (b. June 1884 Chicago, IL)
• Emma Bondina Olson Webb (b. 1891 Chicago, IL, m. James Roy Webb @ Seattle, WA, d. 1980 Seattle, WA);
  • James was born 1879 in Tecumseh, Johnson, NE to George C. Webb (b. 1850 Sodus, MI - d. 1933 Seattle, WA), engineer of a flour mill, & Jennie Elizabeth Montz Webb (b. 1851 Marietta, OH - d. 1943 Seattle, WA). James was employed in 1935 @ Webb-Girard Printing Co.
• Jennette May Olson Scott-Christensen-Reif-Snyder (b. 1893 Chicago, IL). May have died 1983 in Orangevale, CA.
  • 2nd husband 1925: Harry C. Christensen (1893-1935), son of Hans & Emma;

In 1900, the family was living at 1782 Sawyer Ave., in Chicago. In 1917, Tom was living at 2903 N. Troy, in Chicago, and registered for the WWI draft as an evangelist employed by "no one", and "all over the United States", and claimed exemption from the draft on the grounds of the clergy clause.

Marriage

On Feb. 21, 1929, Tom married Marie Louise LaTourneau in Yuma, Arizona while each was living in Upland, California. Marie was born Feb. 22, 1896 in Duluth, Minnesota. Marie's father was Caleb Thucydides LeTourneau (b. 1857 Saint-Sebastien, Monteregie, QC - d. 1927 San Bernandino, CA). Caleb was born in a French-speaking part of Quebec. Marie's mother was Elizabeth Johnston LeTourneau (b. 1855 Beebe Plain, Estrie, QC - d. 1933 San Bernandino, CA). Elizabeth was born in an English-speaking part of Quebec. Marie was raised in Minnesota.

In 1942, when Tom registered for the WWII draft, he and Marie were still residing in Upland, CA, at 2193 Euclid Ave., and Tom was self-employed. Around 1945, they relocated to Yosemite, CA., where they stayed for the next eighteen years.

Tom & Marie may not have had children.

Death

Tom died Aug. 17, 1975 at a local convalescent home near his last address of 1402 Karesh St., Pomona, CA. Marie died Aug. 27, 1992 in Longview, TX.

Ministry

1927

• "The Bangor Daily News" @ Bangor, Maine: 10-1-1927

"Dr. August W. Sonne of the Second Parish Presbyterian church, Portland, spoke at the mid-week service at the church in the parish house (in Steuben). P.E. Winslow spoke to the teachers of the Bible school at the close of the prayer meeting. Dr. and Mrs. A.W. Sonne and Mr. and Mrs. Winslow of Portland were guests of Rev. and Mrs. Page at the parsonage, Wed and Thu.

Tom M. Olson, a Pilgrim preacher in England in 1923, and traveled to Egypt and the Holy Lands last year, will begin a series of heart to heart continue (sic?) every night at 7:15 p.m. except Saturday night at the Steuben church. This is a rare treat for the people of the town and the country. He uses no methods or fads, but his ministry is always a blessing wherever he goes. Bring your bible to these meetings, not your pocketbooks. The public is cordially invited. Plan to attend these meetings. Mr. Olson comes direct from meetings in Seattle and Oakland, Calif.

Services at church, Lord's day. The pastor will preach Lord's Supper and worship 10:30 a.m., and the evening service is now at 7. Subject 14th Chapter of Revelation. God's Sevenfold Intervention in Grace and Judgment. Edward H. Page, pastor. You are cordially invited to these services."

PB Assemblies

In his last ten years of life (1965-1975), Tom & Marie were in fellowship with the Claremont Bible Chapel, CA.

Sources

• Newspapers.com
  • "The Bangor Daily News" @ Bangor, Maine: 10-1-1927; p. 6
  • "Progress Bulletin" @ Pomona, CA: 8-18-1975; p. 4