Behold Minnesota’s 22nd Governor represented by the Floyd Olson Statue. Floyd Olson was not just a politician. He was a force. Let me tell you his story.
Floyd Olson was born in Minneapolis in 1891. His parents were immigrants from Norway and Sweden. He grew up on the North Side. Olson graduated from North High in 1909. Then he worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Later he attended the University of Minnesota for a year.
For three years, Olson traveled. He worked around the country including Canada and Alaska. In 1914, he enrolled at Northwestern College of Law. He graduated in 1915 as valedictorian. That same year, Olson was admitted to the bar. He read extensively and gained understanding in many fields.
In 1918, Floyd married Ada A. Krejei. They had one child named Patricia. In 1919, he became special assistant to the Hennepin County Attorney. He later served as County Attorney until 1930.
Elected governor in 1930 on the Farmer-Labor Party ticket Olson led through the Great Depression. The 1929 stock market crash created personal and economic disasters. He provided leadership with concern for the needs of all people.
Olson won 82 of the state’s 87 counties in 1930. He beat the Republican candidate by 200000 votes. Olson secured funding for unemployment benefits and highway construction. He imposed regulations on the sale of securities. State charitable and prison institutions were expanded under his leadership.
He was reelected in 1932 and 1934. During his tenure, Olson introduced public unemployment insurance. He also introduced a mortgage moratorium on farms. Olson championed progressive income tax and old age pensions. He helped to establish cooperative business enterprises. Olson advocated state ownership of utilities and a government-owned state bank.
Olson supported the Agricultural Adjustment Act AAA. The AAA paid farmers not to grow crops. It also paid them not to produce dairy products. This was intended to cut back production.
During the First World War farmers grew wheat on grazing land. This damaged the protective vegetation cover. Hot dry summers turned the soil to dust. High winds in 1934 created a giant dust bowl.
Olson upset conservatives. He refused to use state troops to crush strikes in Minneapolis. He threatened to challenge Franklin D. Roosevelt for the presidency. This was unless Roosevelt introduced a more radical New Deal. Olson argued for government takeover of key industries.
In December 1935, Olson was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Despite his illness, Floyd Olson remained active in politics. He continued until his death on August 22 1936.
The life of Floyd B. Olson is a story of opportunity. It shows how one can rise from humble beginnings to great things. He brought unbounded faith to the governorship. He believed in the wisdom and honesty of the common man. His story is a singular part of Minnesota history.
The Floyd Olson Statue stands as a memorial. It commemorates his service. It stands on a mall and near a highway named for him. This statue symbolizes his enduring impact on Minnesota. He was a champion of the people. His perseverance for justice was truly felt at his untimely death at age 44.
The Floyd Olson Statue serves as a reminder. It reminds us of his contributions. It encourages us to reflect on his legacy. He remains one of the state’s most influential politicians.