Olsen/Ricklefs Family papers, 1902-1983

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Summary

Title:
Olsen-Ricklefs Family papers
Dates:
1902-1983
Creators:
Mercer, Lucinda and Olsen/Ricklefs Family
Extent:
10.5 Linear Feet (7 cartons)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Olsen/Ricklefs Family papers (SC1414). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

Papers of the multi-generational Olsen/Ricklefs family, many of whom attended and/or graduated from Stanford University. Includes correspondence, diaries, and notebooks. Stanford graduates include Margaret Olsen, class of 1928; Robert U. Ricklefs, class of 1931; James Ricklefs. class of 1937; Cynthia Lyans Ricklefs Mercer, class of 1950; Joan Belinda Ricklefs, class of 1957; Lucinda Lyans Mercer, class of 1978. Other family members who attended Stanford, but did not earn degrees, include: George Frederic Olsen, Jr.; Clarence L. Ricklefs; and Marshall Somerville.

Biographical / historical:

Margaret Olsen (Margo) (Dardie). Born 1905. Died 1984. Most of the letters and other documents are either written by her or were sent to her or relate to her family. First husband was Clarence Ricklefs. Second husband was Marshall Somerville. Owner of the Petroleum Specialty Company (which came to her from her father through Clarence) and manufacturer of Gage-O paste for determining the amount of water or gasoline at the bottom of oil storage tanks. Stanford '28, Philosophy.

George Fredric Olsen (GF) (GFO). Margaret's father. First petroleum engineer to graduate from Purdue University. Initiator of Gage-O (possibly created in his lab). Worked for Union Oil and General Petroleum among other oil and oil related companies.

Geneva Matthews Olsen. Margaret's mother. Also a Purdue graduate.

George Frederic Olsen, Jr. Margaret's brother. Worked in the War Office during WW2. Executive with Lane Drugs and related drug stores. Attended Stanford, not sure of the years.

Hildegard Matthews Olsen (Heidi). Margaret's sister. Born about 1921 or 1922.

Clarence L. Ricklefs (Rick) (Duke). Margaret's first wife, and father of Cynthia and Belinda. The producer of the New Shakespeare Company of San Francisco, 1965 to about 1982, with his second wife, Margrit Roma, who was the director. Stanford '29 (did not graduate).

Robert U. Ricklefs (Count) (Bob). Clarence Ricklefs' younger brother. Taught school in the Hupa Reservation. Worked on General Eisenhower's staff during WW2. Founded the Robert Louis Stevenson School for Boys (now the Stevenson School) on the Monterey Peninsula in 1952. Stanford graduate, not sure of the year.

Richard Ricklefs. Clarence and Robert Ricklefs' youngest brother. Born 1916. Died 2007. Married Elsie Gardner, a member of the Hupa tribe and was the only doctor on the Hupa Reservation for many years. Attended Stanford for 1 year.

James Ricklefs. Cousin to Clarence, Robert, and Richard Ricklefs. Pioneer in the helicopter service industry. Stanford '37.

Cynthia Lyans Ricklefs Mercer (Cindy). Older daughter of Margaret and Clarence. Born 1929. Died 2017. Stanford '50, Mathematics.

Joan Belinda Ricklefs (Belinda) (Bee). Younger daughter of Margaret and Clarence. Born 1936. Stanford '57.

Lucinda Lyans Mercer. Older daughter of Cynthia Mercer and Robert Mercer. Born 1957. Stanford '78, Music.

Annette Linn Mercer. Younger daughter of Cynthia Mercer and Robert Mercer. Born 1960.

Marshall Somerville (Marsh). Second husband of Margaret Olsen. First wife was Hallie Keating, Stanford '28. Marsh wrote for The Chaparral. Father to Joyce Somerville and James Somerville. Stanford, '28.

Also included is some information relating to Geneva Matthews Olsen's family – Matthews, Sullins, and Perkins.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Lucinda Lyans Mercer, 2018.
Physical location:
Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged three business days in advance. For more information on paging collections, see the department's website: https://library.stanford.edu/libraries/special-collections.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
University Archives staff
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-06-11 13:49:21 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The materials are open for research use; materials must be requested at least 48 hours in advance of intended use. Audio-visual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.

Terms of access:

All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California 94304-6064. Consent is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s) or assigns. Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Preferred citation:

Olsen/Ricklefs Family papers (SC1414). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Stanford University Archives, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6064, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
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