Olof Hanson, a Deaf architect and minister, was born in Fjälkinge, Sweden on September 10, 1862. He became deaf in one ear at the age of 10 by exposure to cold weather while returning home from school in Sweden.

Olof immigrated to America in 1875 and settled on a farm with his mother, brother and sister in Willmar, Minnesota. He attended the Minnesota School for the Deaf at Faribault where he graduated in 1881.

He matriculated at the National Deaf-Mute College, then known as Gallaudet University from 1881 to 1886. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1886 and also received a Master of Arts degree in 1889.

Following his graduation from Gallaudet, he secured a job as a draftsman at an architect’s office in Minnesota. Then he went to Europe for professional study in architecture from 1889 to 1890. Upon his return to America, he found a job as an architect for an architectural firm in Philadelphia for a year. He returned to Faribault, Minnesota in 1891.

In 1896 he set up his own office as architect in Faribault, Minnesota where he remained until 1902. During his seven years as architect in Faribault, Olof designed 24 private residences, 18 store buildings and hotels, 10 school buildings, and two churches. In 1895 he designed a dormitory building for Kendall School students on the campus of Gallaudet University.

Olof married Agatha M. Tiegel on July 3, 1899 in Pennsylvania. Agatha was the first female graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gallaudet University in 1893. Agatha, at that time of marriage, was a teacher at the Minnesota School for the Deaf. Three daughters, Marion, Alice, and Helen were born to Olof and Agatha.

In 1902 they moved to Seattle, Washington where Olof set up his business with his partner, Frank Thayer. They designed several buildings in the Seattle area. Later, Olof was appointed as consulting architect at the University of Washington.

In 1909, Olof set up a Bible Class for the deaf people in Seattle. He became interested in ministry to the deaf and he studied for the ministry. He was ordained as a deacon on March 30, 1924 and also was ordained as a priest of the Episcopal Church on January 6, 1929. He spent his time traveling around Washington State, conducting his ministry services to the deaf people.

Olof was very active in leadership for the deaf community in the Seattle area. His earlier years as active leader in the Minnesota deaf community were his starting point where he eventually became one of the charter members of the Minnesota Association of the Deaf.

He was also involved in activities for the Puget Sound Association of the Deaf in Washington State. Olof served as president of the National Association of the Deaf from 1910 to 1913. During his tenure as a president, Olof learned that the U. S. Civil Service Commission set up its rule that no deaf persons be permitted to take the Civil Service examination for federal government employment.

He wrote a letter to U. S. President Theodore Roosevelt to let him know that he felt that it was unfair for the deaf people not to take the examination. In the letter, Olof requested President Roosevelt to remove all of the discrimination against the deaf people. His letter to the President was acknowledged by the President and was an important factor in the opening of such examinations to the deaf.

Olof died in Seattle, Washington on September 8, 1933.