Death of Elder O. A. Olsen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 4, 1915

Death of Elder O. A. Olsen

OUR readers will be deeply grieved to learn of the death of Elder O. A. Olsen, which occurred at the Hinsdale Sanitarium, Hinsdale, Ill., Friday morning, January 29. Particulars as to the cause of his death are not at hand as the paper goes to press. In a letter written from Chicago to the editor of the REVIEW January 25, he says: “I did not attend any meeting last Sabbath. I had just returned from the West and was weary, so remained at home and improved the time in study and meditation.” His death was caused by pneumonia, to which in his worn and weary condition he quickly succumbed. Brother Olsen occupied for many years leading and responsible positions in our denominational work, not only in the United States, but in Australia and in Europe. For eight years, from Oct. 17, 1888, to Feb. 19, 1897, he was president of the General Conference. His wide and extended labors brought him into acquaintance with a large number of our brethren and sisters in different parts of the world. At the time of his death he occupied the position of general secretary of the Foreign Department of the North American Division Conference. He has been for years an earnest and efficient laborer in connection with this movement. He was a man of deep faith, sincere, conscientious, godly. We may say of him as David said of Abner, “Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?” We extend to Sister Olsen, who is in feeble health, and to his sons, Dr. A. B. Olsen and Prof. M. E. Olsen, and to other mourning relatives our deepest sympathy. A suitable sketch of his life and the circumstances connected with his death will be furnished later.