Ole Conrad Olsen was born in Lier, Norway on October 1, 1894.  Lier is about 25 miles from Oslo, Norway.  Ole worked in many different capacities during his younger days.  These included going to sea on a Norwegian ship serving as a mess boy, cook, oiler, and machinist helper at the age of 14. This sea duty carried him to the most important parts of Europe.  Later he worked in a gun repair factory in Norway.  About 3 years later he went to sea again on a whale fishing boat along the west coast of Africa. 

In 1915 Ole came to America.  He landed at Ellis Island on the ship Kristianaiafjord. We have copies of the original ship's manfiest, a text copy, and Ole's passenger record.

Ole worked for a while on his brother's farm.  In 1918 he was drafted into the Army and served overseas duty for about a year.  His honorable discharge papers and citizenship papers were received together.  He tried to get in the Navy before he was drafted in the Army but was unable to do so because he did not have his citizenship papers at that time.

Ole met and married Emma Amanda Thorstenson.  They had 3 daughters and 11 grandchildren. 

Ole was working in Ft Meyers, Florida when he met Mr. Curtis Holmes.  Mr. Holmes told him if he came to Chattanooga he would like to have him work in his service station for him.  This he did for 9 years.  On this job he met Mr. and Mrs. Ernest W. Holmes, Sr.  In May, 1940 he went to work for the Ernest Holmes Company, where he worked as a turrett lathe operator.  The Ernest Holmes Company manufactured wreckers (tow trucks).

Oscar, Ida, Nora, Emma, Edward Thorstenson 

Grandpa (Ole Olsen) with his clocks 
(taken at his home in Chattanooga, TN)

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