John W. Olander

JOHN W. OLANDER. - The Swedish type is one which has found many representatives in the New World and has assuredly contributed its quota toward the onward movement of progress, ever retaining a clear mental grasp and directing affairs along safe and conservative lines. America owes much to the Swedish stock and has honored and been honored by many noble men and women of this extraction.

One of the most important figures among the live stock commission merchants, who form a large class in Kansas City, Kansas, is John W. Olander. He was born April 5, 1853, in Sweden, receiving his education in his native land and coming to our shores when a youth of nineteen years. Upon arrival in America Mr. Olander remained for a time in the state of New York, but eventually drifted west to Kansas City, the year in which he became identified with this part of the country being 1878. In 1879 he secured a position with the Kansas City Stock Yards Company, which step was particularly important from the fact that it determined the course of his entire subsequent career. In 1895 he became engaged in the live stock commission business in association with Andrew Isaacson, the firm being known as Olander & Isaacson. This continued up to the death of Mr. Isaacson, in 1905. Mr. Olander took charge of the entire business, and the firm of John W. Olander & Company, live stock commission merchants, was organized. Mr. Olander has continued in the city since his first arrival and his fine executive capacity and careful and conservative business methods have conserved the attainment of the marked success which has been his in a material way. While his political "leanings" are in the direction of the Republican party he is essentially an independent voter, public spirited and loyal to the interests of the section in which he has achieved a well earned success.