The 1909 history of Buena Vista County sketches two Olson households and never connects them, so they are kept apart here. Rev. Fred Olson, a native of Denmark who had served in the Danish and German armies, settled in Black Hawk County, Iowa, came to Buena Vista County in 1902, farmed in Grant Township, and spent his last years as a traveling Baptist missionary until his death in 1908. His sons Charles and William Hans Olson farmed in Coon and Grant Townships. Peter O. Olson, born in Norway in 1859, came to Benton County, Iowa, in 1880, married Mary Ann Ludvigson in 1884, and built up 240 acres in Lee Township four miles from Sioux Rapids. Every fact below is cited to the public-domain 1909 history of Buena Vista County.
Earliest in the record
Rev. Fred Olson and Hannah (Jacobson) Olsonthe earliest generation in the recordMost recent in our records
Peter Olsonthe latest generation the records nameEach number matches a section below. Tap a name to jump to that person.
Danish immigrants; Baptist missionary
Farmer, Coon Township
CHARLES P. OLSON.
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Charles F. Olson, whose name introdnees this record, attended the district schools of Blaek Hawk county to the age of fourteen years. His hoyliood and youth were spent on the home farm, during which time he assisted his father in the work of the fields. When he had attained his majority he started out upon an inde(>dent career and was employed as fireman by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company. After a time, however, he once more returned to the home farm and assumed its management, being 1hus engaged until the time of his marriage.
Jlr. Olson gives his time and attention to the operation of one hundred and si.xty acres of land in Coon township, this property being well improved, while the land has been placed under a high state of cultivation. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and each year harvests abundant crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestow upon the fields. He also raises good grades of.stock and this branch of his business is proving a profitaiile source of revenue.
Mr. Olson was married September 14, 1904, the lady of his choice being.Miss Meta Jensen, who was born in Denmark and whose parents are farming people of Coon township. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Olson was blessed with one daughter. Edna. Mr. Olson gives his political support to the republican party but has never been active as an office seeker He is a member of the Baptist church and is highly esteemed in the community in which he has so long made his home.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer and stock raiser, Grant Township
WILLIAM HANS OLSON.
William Hans Olson carries on general agricultural pursuits on a well improved tract situated in Grant township. Bucna Vista county. He was born in Buchanan county. Iowa. December;il. 1881. a son of Rev. Fred aiul Haniuih (Jacobson) Olson, both of whom were natives of Denmark. The father was a soldier in the Danish army and also served two years in the German army, during which time he received a gunshot wound in the head. He accompanied a party of emigrants to America, believing that he might better provide for his family in the new world. Finding employment here, he returned to the old country for his family and upon once more reaching American shores made a permanent location in Rlackhawk county, Iowa. For a time he followed the carpenter's trade and al.so engaged in farming. In 1902 he came to Buena Vista county and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he later sold and invested his money in one hundred and sixty acres in Grant township. The father spent his later years as a traveling missionary for the Baptist church and his work in this connection was of far-reaching benefit and influence. Crowned with honors and years, he was called to his final rest January 14. 1908, when ho had reached the age of seventy years. His widow still survives and nskes her home on the farm in Grant town.ship. The family of Rev. and Mrs. Fred Olson nund)crs six children, as follows:
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William H. Olson pursued his studies for four years in the schools of Cedar Falls. Iowa, and after the removal of the family to Buena Vista county he continued his studies in the schools of this section. After completing his studies he gave his father the benefit of his services on the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when he started out to face the responsibilities of life on his own account. He first went to Council Bluffs and for a time was employed in an implement house there. Not finding city life congenial, however, Mr. Olson then resumed farming pursuits in Grant township and has since been thus engaged, his labors resulting in a gratifying measure of success. In addition to general farming lie raises stock to some extent, keeping high grade shorthorn cattle.
Mr. Olson established a home of his own by his marriage on the:ilst of December. 1901, the lady of his choice being Miss Carrie Nelson. She was born in DeKalb County, Illinois, July 11. 1882. and was married at Storm Lake, Iowa. Her parents now make their home in Coon township. The home of;\Ir. and ]Mrs. Olson has been blessed with a little daughter. Helen Euth, born August 8, 1905.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer, Lee Township
PETER 0. OLSON.
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> z other memljers of the family are Chrest E.. Elma JIaria, Nora McCanna Hazel, Benia Louise, Mamie Pernelle and Ella Riitli.
Mr. Olson gives his political support to the republican party and he has been called upon to fill township offices. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. Coming to the new world a young man, without means and without friends, ignorant of the manners and customs of American people, he deserves great credit for what he has accomplished in a business way. All that he today possesses has been acquired through his energy, economy and well directed efforts, so that even the most envious cannot grudge him his success.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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