His name was incorrectly listed as "John F. Olson" in the 1950 Wisconsin Blue Book, and that error has propagated to later editions.
John E. Olson was born Johan Edward Olsen on his father's farm on June 15, 1892, in what is now the town of Sioux Creek, Barron County, Wisconsin.
[3] He quickly became involved in local affairs and served as a director of the Barron County Farm Loan association from 1920 to 1942.
[3] During his second year as county board chairman, their district's state senator, Charles D. Madsen, resigned his seat to accept a judicial appointment.
Democrats in the district quickly rallied around Olson as their candidate, and he was nominated without opposition in the special March primary.
[9] John E. Olson was the 11th of 13 children born to Norwegian American immigrants Hans Christian "H.C." and Pauline (née Jensen) Olsen.