Summary Information
Jack B. Olson Papers
1960-1973
Mss 612; Tape 1116A
0.6 c.f. (2 archives boxes) and 1 tape recording
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers, 1960-1973, of Jack B. Olson, a former Wisconsin lieutenant governor and leader in the tourist industry, consisting of correspondence, speeches, minutes, press releases, campaign literature, and other press material pertaining to his third term as lieutenant governor, 1968-1970, and his unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1970. Correspondence, 1969-1973, with Richard M. Nixon, whom Olson supported, and his aides is also included. Other prominent correspondents include Warren Knowles, Ronald Reagan, Wilbur Renk, George Romney, and William B. Steiger.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mss00612 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Jack B. Olson, three-term lieutenant governor and leader in the tourist business, was born in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, on August 29, 1920. His grandfather, Benjamin Olson, had founded the Olson Boat Company, the oldest tourist company in the state, and by age fifteen Olson had become a boat pilot and guide with the intention of carrying on the family business. However, after a career as a star athlete at Wisconsin Dells High School, Olson determined to become a teacher and athletic coach. He enrolled at the University of Wisconsin and after his freshman year transferred to Western Michigan University, where he was also a star athlete. In March 1942, he married Eleanor Lang, daughter of a Kalamazoo physician. The following month he enlisted in the Navy, but received his B.S. degree in education in June of that year nevertheless. During the war he served as a PT boat commander in the Atlantic. After an honorable discharge in 1946, Olson returned to Wisconsin to operate the family business.
In the 1950's he began to be active in Republican politics and from 1957 to 1960 he was Columbia County chairman. In 1960 he campaigned unsuccessfully for the gubernatorial nomination again Philip G. Kuehn, withdrawing before the party nomination was made. In 1962 Olson was elected lieutenant governor. Two years later he was unseated by Patrick J. Lucey, but he returned to the second highest elected office in 1966 and again in 1968. In 1970 he made an unsuccessful run for governor against Patrick Lucey.
Olson was an early supporter of Richard M. Nixon and in 1960 he was state chairman of the presidential campaign in Wisconsin. Twelve years later he declined a position as head of the senior citizens' section of the presidential campaign. In 1970 Olson was appointed to the President's Air Quality Board and the Environmental Quality Committee. In 1976 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention and during the Ford administration was appointed ambassador to the Bahamas.
Olson has also been prominently involved with a host of civic, tourist, and business organizations and has received numerous awards and citations in recognition of his work. From 1952 to 1957 he was president of the Wisconsin Tourist Council. In 1969 he received that organization's award for tourist promotion. He was director of the Wisconsin Good Roads Association for twelve years. In 1964 he was head of the Wisconsin World's Fair Participation Corporation and the following year he directed the Wisconsin Trade Mission to Europe. In 1965 he was official trade representative. Olson has been a member of the Wisconsin Dells Chamber of Commerce and was director, 1972-1973, of the state chamber. From 1966 to 1969 he was state chairman of the March of Dimes campaign.
Scope and Content Note
Although this small collection covers Olson's career from 1960 to 1973, the bulk of the material lies within the 1968-1972 period. The focus is entirely on politics; none of the documentation touches upon his participation in the tourist industry and very little relates to his reputation in the environmental movement. Coverage is best for Olson's last term as lieutenant governor and his 1970 campaign for governor. Documentation includes correspondence, speeches, reports, minutes, press releases, and other press materials.
The early correspondence, which is fragmentary, concerns many aspects of the lieutenant governor's activities, ranging from letters from school children to policy matters. As the 1970 election approached, a greater proportion of the letters deal with Olson's positions on issues. Also documenting his activities as lieutenant governor are two folders on the Task Force on Building Codes which Olson chaired. These files include the final report, correspondence, minutes, and press releases. The speeches files contains final drafts of speeches delivered, 1970-1971, together with some related correspondence. Documenting the 1970 Olson for Governor Committee are some miscellaneous files on overall organization, campaign literature, and a rather extensive file of press releases.
Correspondence with Richard M. Nixon and various presidential aides and advisors is of some interest. The majority of the letters are routine and brief, though they do document Olson's support for the President. Several more interesting exchanges concern Nixon's view of campus violence. These letters have been copied from originals retained by Olson.
Other prominent correspondents include Warren Knowles, Ronald Reagan, Wilbur Renk, George Romney, and William Steiger.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by Jack B. Olson and Sheila Whaley, Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton, Wisconsin, June 24, 1975. Accession Number: M75-341, M75-342
Processed by Bruce Bruemmer (Archives student) and Carolyn J. Mattern, October 1983.
Contents List
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Mss 612
Box
1
Folder
1-4
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General correspondence, 1967-1971
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Box
1
Folder
5
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Speeches and related material, 1970-1971
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Box
1
Folder
6-7
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Task Force on Building Codes, 1970-1973
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Box
1
Folder
8
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Campaign organization and information, 1970
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Box
2
Folder
1
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Campaign literature, 1970
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Press releases
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Box
2
Folder
2
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, 1960 campaign
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Box
2
Folder
3-4
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, 1970 campaign
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Box
2
Folder
5
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Miscellaneous public relations and clippings, 1960-1970
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Box
2
Folder
6
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Awards, undated
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Nixon correspondence
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Box
2
Folder
7
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1965-1968
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Box
2
Folder
8
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1969-1973
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Tape 1116A
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Remarks by Olson, 1969(?)
: Recorded remarks made to an unidentified group of public officials, concerning the violence and permissiveness of contemporary society. Olson opposes offering utopia to all which can only lead to violence and dissatisfaction. However he advocates action which will extend opportunity to all. A transcript of the remarks as prepared but not as delivered is included in the papers above.
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