Submitted by: Dennis H. Harmsen
iaharmsen@yahoo.com

Jacob Ohlsen
December 7, 1961
The Rock County Star-Herald (Luverne, Minnesota)

Rock County's "Mr. Democrat", Jacob Ohlsen, 88, of Luverne, died at the Community Hospital here at 2 pm, Tuesday.  The man who had headed the Rock County Democratic Party for many years, had been bedridden since he suffered a stroke seven years ago.  Despite the fact that he had been partially paralyzed ever since, he was alert mentally and kept abreast of daily happenings.  He had a number of strokes since his first one and had been hospitalized several times, but was able to return to his home.  However, a seizure on Monday proved too great for his weakened condition.

Funeral services will be held for Mr. Ohlsen at the Engebretson Funeral Home at 2 pm, Friday, the Rev. Wesley J. Drummond officiating.  Interment will be in the Maplewood Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Martin Jensen, Paul Campbell, Wesley Winkler, Dwight Cummings, Earl Glaser and Louis Shelby.

Jacob Ohlsen was born on the Isle of Fehmarn, Germany on October 4, 1873, the son of Hans and Emma (Berghlund) Ohlsen.  His father was a common laborer and his mother also had to work hard to help support the family.  As a boy, he worked with his mother gleaning heads of grain from the field where his father was employed as a harvest hand.

The family came to the United States aboard the ship Polaria to New York in 1882, settling at Stockton, Iowa.  Mr. Ohlsen's father died a year after coming to this country, with the result that Mr. Ohlsen had to support the family.  He herded cattle, worked as a section hand on the railroad and later obtained a position with the late Henry Bierkamp, who operated a feed barn, tavern and hotel.

He married Louisa Bockwoldt on January 5, 1898 in Davenport, Iowa and together they operated the Stockton Hotel and restaurant.  They operated similar businesses in the years that followed at Durant, Hartley and Melvin, Iowa, before coming to Luverne in 1915.  Mr. Ohlsen opened the Luverne Cafe on the north side of Main Street between Cedar and Freeman Avenues.  He operated this and eating places in other locations in Luverne, until receiving his appointment as postmaster in 1934, a position he held about 20 years.

Because his parents came to this country in search of political freedom, Mr. Ohlsen took an early interest in politics and government.  After coming to Luverne, he was active in the Democratic Party.  He became a naturalized citizen and cast his first vote for William Jennings Bryan, democratic candidate for President in 1896.  He was never a candidate for public office, however he did serve as chairman of the county organization from 1924 to 1934 and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1928.  In 1933 he was a delegate to the convention, which passed the proposed amendment to repeal the prohibition amendment.  When former president Harry S. Truman visited here during the campaign in 1956, he interrupted a luncheon appearance to pay a special visit to Ohlsen's bedside.

Mr. and Mrs. Ohlsen were the parents of four children, all of whom are living.  They are: Mrs. Claude L. (Emma) Cameron of Beverly Hills, CA., Ella Ohlsen and Mrs. Dale F. (Olive) Barnes, both of Luverne and Wilbert Jacob Ohlsen of Los Angeles, CA.  He is survived by his widow and children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  His parents, two sisters and three brothers preceded him in death.

Johanna A. Opkis
June 20, 1974
The Creighton News, Chreighton, Knox County, Nebraska

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