THE people

Leonard Ernst Olson

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

STATUS: 
N/A
DATE OF Birth:
Place of Birth:
Date of Death:
 
Place of Death:
GENDER:
M
OTHER KNOWN NAMES:
ETHNICITY:
Norwegian
KNOWN ADDRESS:
RELATED TO:

At the time of the tragedy.

AGE:
47
MARITAL STATUS:
Married
ROLE:
chicago-firemen
ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATION:
City of Chicago
ORGANIZATIONAL ROLE:
Engine Company No. 85

other information

CEMETERY:
All Saints Catholic, Des Plaines
OTHER NOTES:

Leonard Olson was a fireman with the Chicago Fire Department. He lived at 488 N. Homan Ave (per the 1910 Census) and later at 1035 N. Leamington Ave (per the 1920 Census).

In 1908, Leonard was a Pipeman with Engine Company Number 85. On March 6, 1908 he stopped a runaway team of horses attached to a heavy truck on Leavitt Street between Walnut and Lake Streets while his company was proceeding to an alarm. On September 24, 1908 he stopped a runaway horse attached to a light wagon on Lawndale Avenue near company quarters. This saved a number of children from possible injury while they were playing in the street. Leonard was awarded the Lambert Tree Medal for bravery by the City of Chicago.

While July 24, 1915 was an off day for Leonard, he volunteered and assisted in the aftermath of the Eastland Disaster.

A photo is on display at the Chicago History Museum and is identified as Leonard thanks to the efforts of his daughter, Veronica (aka Vee) Olson O'Connor.

The same photo is in the collection of the Chicago History Museum. The photo was the work of Japanese-American photojournalist, Jun Fujita. The photo identifies the fireman as Leonard Olson.

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