The Olson Families of Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Another prominent citizen in the commercial life of Fergus halls, this county, is Oliver Olson, who is engaged in the lire, life and accident-insurance business and who is secretary and manager of St. Luke's hospital; secretary and treasurer of the Fergus Falls Ugeblad Newspaper Publishing Company, and president of the company operating the Fergus Falls woolen mill-. TTc has served as secretary and manager of St. Luke's' hospital for the past ten years.

< liver Olson was born near the city of Roros, Norway, May i. [852, the-on of Esten and Ingerberg (Olson) Olson. The Olson family came to America in [869. by wa\ of Quebec, Canada, settling in Winnesheik county, Iowa, where they remained for about one year. During this time, the father made a trip to Tordenskji M township. Otter Tail county, where Inhome steaded a quarter of a section of land. In the fall of 1870 the family moved from Iowa to ( (tier Tail county, first living in a dug-out and later in a log house, part of which house later was used for a school house and is still standing The first teacher was Mice Fitch. Mr. Olson was (he first clerk 1 1 the district.

In 1875 Oliver Olson moved to Stom Brook, (Irani county, this state.

where he "squatted"' on a piece of land, which he afterward pre-empted from government. There he lived during the summers for several years and.

during the winter months, worked as a clerk in various insurance offices in

In 1883 Oliver Olson was married to Olin Story, and since his marriage has lived continuously in Fergus Falls. To this union there were born five children. Inga, Esther, Olive, Agnes and Oleen. Esther Olson married George Oberg. of Los Angeles, California, and has two children, Oliver and Georgia. Olive Olson married Alfred Aunan, of Fergus Falls, and has one child. Agnes. Mrs. Olin Olson died in 1895 and, five years later, Mr. Olson married, secondly, Mette Melby, a native of Norway.

Since coming to Otter Tail county. Mr. Olson has served as probate clerk of the county for fifteen years and also as judge of the probate for two years. He is the present city assessor of Fergus Falls and has held that office for the past ten years. Mr. Olson is also secretary of the Old Settlers' Association, a position which he has held for eleven years. This association was founded by the venerable George Cowing and Eli Dewey. Mr. and Mrs. Olson occupy a comfortable home in Fergus Falls, where they are well-known and highly-respected citizens.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

C. E. OLSON.

C. E. Olson, a prosperous farmer and business man and a popular citizen of Tordenskjold township, was born on the farm where he now lives and which he now owns. August 27, 1874, and is the son of Esten Olson Norgaard and Ingeborg (Olson) Olson, the oldest living settlers in Tordenskjold township.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Olson were Ole Narjord and Sigrid 1 Estensdatter) Narjord, the former of whom was a laborer and the latter a daughter of a soldier in the War of 1814. They- were the parents of six children, all of whom remained in Norway except Mr. Olson's father and his father's sister. Mrs. Johanna Peterson, who now resides at Waterloo Ridge, luw.'i. Mr. Olson's maternal grandparents. Ole Rosthakken and Kirsti (Sandmor) Rostbakken, never came to America. They died in their native land.

Mr. Olson's parents wire born at Roraas, Norway, the father on Jannary J4, [827, and the mother on October 6, 183 1. They grew up near Roraas and were married in their native land. In 1869, with three children. they came to America, settling at Waterloo Ridge. Winneshiek county, near Spring Grove, Iowa, and, until 1870. worked on a farm. In 1870 the family emigrated to Minnesota and were able to travel by rail over to St.

Cloud. From St. Cloud the trip was made to Otter Tail county with an ox team. In the same year Esten Olson Norgaard homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Tordenskjold township, which at that time was not only a wilderness, but a very tangled wilderness. Shortly afterward he built a dugout and there spent the first summer. Later, however, he built a log house where the present modern buildings stand. The family has lived on this farm ever since. The father has prospered and has added to his land until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres. Both he and his wife are still hale and hearty at very advanced ages. They are devout members of the Lutheran church and were associated with other citizens of the township in founding the church. Mr. Olson's father is a devoted Republican. Mr. Olson is the youngest of five children, the others being: Oliver, who is a former probate judge and also probate clerk of Otter Tail county, is engaged in the insurance business at Fergus Falls; Christine, who married J. X. Langsjoen, lives at Norman, Washington; the third child died in infancy, and O. F., who is a farmer at Berg, North Dakota.

C. E. Olson was educated in the public schools of Otter Tail county, in the Fergus Falls high school and in the Park Region Lutheran College at Fergus Falls. He graduated from the commercial department of the college in 1894, and, during the next five or six years, taught school in Otter Tail county After his marriage, Mr. Olson returned to the old homestead, where he has lived ever since. In 191 1 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, a part of the old homestead, and now operates not only his own land, but the land owned by his father. He is engaged in diversified farming.

Mr. Olson is president of the Underwood creamery and was one of the organizers of this association. He is also secretary of the Park Region Telephone Company and treasurer of the Underwood Grain Association, which was organized several years ago,.but which has recently taken on added importance owing to the erection of a new elevator in 1913 and 1914. The elevator has a capacity of thirty thousand bushels of grain and is owned by forty-four shareholders. It does an annual business of one hundred and twenty thousand dollars.

On March 18, 1800, Mr. Olson was married to Hannah Holbeck, the daughter of P. N. Holbeck. whose family history is contained elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have two children, Alvin E., born on May 5, 1000, and Herman P., born on March 23, 1902.

C. E. Olson is identified with the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mr-. Olson are members of the Lutheran church and they not only attend services regularly, bul contribute liberally 10 the support of the church in this township.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

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1870 they moved to Otter Tail county and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Clitherall township. The land was prairie and the nearest railroad was at St < 'loud, sixty miles away. Christian Olson built a dugout about forty rods from the present house and began to cultivate the prairie. After two years he built a log house. He prospered and, in tune, came to own two hundred and forty acres, including some timber land. Finally, he built a frame house, where he lived until the spring of 1907, when he sold the farm and retired to a home in Battle Lake, where he and his wife are now living, the former at the age of seventy-one and the latter three years his junior. Christian Olson has filled many township and local offices. Formerly he was identified with the Republican party, but lately has been voting the Prohibition ticket. Both he and his wife are members of the Free Lutheran church.

Christian and Louise (Hanson) Olson were the parents of nine children, the first-born died in infancy; Marvin R., who lives at Dwight, North Dakota, is manager of the Dwight Farm and Land Company and manager of the Farmers' Flevator Company; Henry is the subject of this sketch; Thorvald died at the age of eight years; Hans also died at the age of eight; Louis Cornelius is referred to elsewhere in this volume; Thea married Charles Peterson, a farmer living near McCluskey, North Dakota: Mary, who is unmarried, is the assistant postmaster at Battle Lake and lives at home with her parents; Hattie is a teacher and lives at home. She taught for some years in the Battle Lake schools and later in 'Wadena, but on account of ill health had to lay down the work.

Henrv < wilson was educated in the public schools of Clitherall township and at Battle Lake. He was reared on a farm and began life as a clerk for < )rris Albertson at Battle Lake in 1891. After working for Mr. Albertson for three years, he was employed for three years as a traveling salesman for a wholesale fruit company. In 1897. in partnership with Christ Leithe, Mr. Olson, under the firm name of Olson & Leithe, engaged in the mercantile business in the building now occupied by P. J. Elseth. After being engaged in business for three years, Mr. Olson was appointed postmaster on March 21, 1901, and has served continuously as postmaster ever since.

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In August, 1896. Henry Olson was married to Lizzie Olson, the daughter of Hans Olson Ekeberg, an old settler of Henning, Minnesota. Mis. Olson was born near Faribault, Minnesota, and died on April 15, 1900, leaving two children, Ilarlev Luman, horn on September 8. 1898, and Ethel

Lizzie Isola, April 1, 1900. Mr. Olson was married, secondly, on June 18, 1901, to Julia Herness, a native of Eagle Lake township and the daughter of Lars Herness, an old settler of Otter Tail county, who came here in 1868. To the second marriage, there have been born two children, [name withheld], born on October 7, 1908, and Reuben Joseph, May 25, 1910.

Mr. Olson has served a year as a member of the village council. He and his wife and the members of the Olson family belong to the United Lutheran church and are active in the work of the church. Henry Olson is a good man and a good citizen. He has been conscientious in the performance of every public duty and has prospered in his own private affairs.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LOUIS CORNELIUS OLSON.

Louis Cornelius Olson, a member of the an of Olson Brothers, who operate a retail business in clothing and men's furnishings at Battle Lake, Minnesota, is a native of Clitherall township, wl ere he was born on March 22, 1883, on a farm.

Mr. Olson is the son of Christian and Louise (Hanson) Olson, who were natives of Eidsvold, Norway. Mr. Olson's parents came to America separately about 1860 and. after arriving in America, settled in Goodhue county, Minnesota, where they were married. One year later they immigrated to Otter Tail county, homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of land in Clitherall township, at a time and place where the nearest railroad station was at St. < loud, sixty miles away. The Olson homestead farm was originally wild land.

Christian Olson built a dugout soukforty rods away from the present house, and after two years replaced this dugout with a log house. From time to time, additional acres of the farm were put under cultivation and 'Mr. Olson came eventually to own two hundred and forty acres, some of which was covered with timber. Eventually, the log house was replaced with a commodious frame house, in which the family lived until the spring of 1007. when they sold, the farm and moved to Battle Lake, where they have since lived retired. Christian Olson is seventy-one years old and his good wife, who is also still living, is only three years his junior, lie has been prominent in the political and civic life of this county and, until recently, voted the Republican ticket, but is now identified with the Prohibition party. He and his wife arc members of the Free Lutheran church.

Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Christian Olson, the eldest died in infancy; Marvin 1\ who is the manager of the Dwight Farm and Land Company and the Farmers' Elevator Company, resides at Dwight, North Dakota: Henry is the postmaster at Battle Lake and the partner of his brother in the clothing and furnishing business: Thorvald and Hans both died at the age of eight years; Louis Cornelius is the subject of this sketch; Thea is the wife of Charles Peterson, a farmer of near McCluskey, North Dakota; Mary, who is unmarried and at home, is employed as assistant postmaster; Hattie, who taught for some years at Wadena and later at Battle Lake and lives at home.

Louis Cornelius Olson was educated in the public schools of Clitherall township and at the Park Region Luther College. He lived on the farm until 1910, managing the farm after his father had retired. In 1910 Mr. Olson homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Meade county, South Dakota, and there he lived for eighteen months, when he returned to Battle Lake and became assistant postmaster under his brother, Henry. After serving one year as assistant postmaster, Mr. Olson engaged in partnership with his brother. They purchased the H. L. Wagner clothing and furnishing business on Lake street and this business is now managed by Louis C. Olson.

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Louis C. Olson is independent in politics. He and his wife are members of the Free Lutheran church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Knut Olson, a prosperous farmer of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, who was born eighteen miles out of Christiania. Norway, June 27, 1841, is a son of Ole E. and Osta Olson.

Mr. Olson's parents were both natives of Norway and there grew up and were married. After the death of his mother, Knut Olson came to America with his father in 1866. A little later they settled in Mower county, Minnesota, and afterward the father, whose death occurred in 1874, joined his son in Otter Tail county, where he had removed some time previously. Mr. Olson was one of seven children born to his parents, namely: Ingebrit, a farmer by occupation, died in Mower county, Minnesota; Thor, also a farmer, died in North Dakota; Sarah, the wife of Eric Ingebritson, died in Norway; Chester, who married Nils Harls, died in Minnesota; Mary was married in Norway and there died; Ole, a farmer living near Dawson, Minnesota, and Knut, the immediate subject of this review.

Knut Olson received his early education in the public schools of Norway, and after criming to America with his father, in 1866, settled first in Mower county. Minnesota, where he worked for his brother on a farm. Two years later he came to Otter Tail county, when there was not a house on the present site of Fergus Falls. Here, in section 4, of Tordenskjold township, he homesteaded one hundred and sixty-five acres of land, which was mainly prairie, but upon which there was some timber standing. Here he built a log house, and has lived on this farm ever since, clearing his land and improving it in various ways. In the meantime, however, he has erected modern farm buildings and is engaged in general farming. Mr. Olson is a stockholder in various enterprises.

In 1872 Knut Olson was married to Sarah Erickson, a native of Norway, and the daughter of Ole Erickson, and to this union there have been (61b) born ten children: Edward E., a farmer of Tordenskjold township; Anna, living on a homestead in Dakota; Emma, the wife of Ed Nelson, lives in Dakota; Clara died at the age of twenty-three years: Xeal, a farmer living in Dakota; Minnie, the wife of Harry Ingebretson, and they live in Dakota; Christian is a farmer living in Dakota; Sanford, a homestead farmer, and Hnlda and Carol, living at home with their parents.

[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.

HANS P. OLSON.

Bom at Sellan, Denmark, September 3, 1849, Hans I'. Olson is a son of Ole and Listen 1 Ian-en. both of whom were natives of Denmark, and who grew to maturity in that country, and were there married. Ole Man sen died in his native land at the age of fifty-four years, and after his death his widow came to America in [871, and spent her last days in this country. After coming to the United States she was married to Nils Tygersen.

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About [873 Mr D carried to Christine Jensen, a native of

Denmark, who came to Ameriea when twenty-one years of age. Mrs. Olson died in 1892, and her husband has never remarried. Hans P. Olson and wife were the parents of nine children, as follow: Olaf, a farmer living in Canada; < bris, also a farmer in Canada; Peter, who died at the age of twenty-two; Alice, who died in infancy; Theodore, a farmer living in North Dakota; Hans, who lives at home with his father, is the owner of a quarter section of land in North Dakota; Emil, living in Idaho; Sande, who died at the age of eleven years; Sande, the second, is a farmer in Dane Prairie township.

[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.

\ pioneer of Otter Tail county, who came to the locality when it was yet unbroken and uncultivated, and by his determined and persevering nature was able to do those things which today gives him one of the best farms of the township and a man who by his good citizenship and unselfish interest in the community and its welfare has won the rank of a leading resident and a valued citizen, the name of Kittel Olson and a review of his life are a suitable part of this work.

Kittel Olson was burn in the central part of Norway, on January 27, [852, he being the son of Ole Kittleson and Berit Ellefson, who were born in Norway, married there, and in the year 1882 came to America, to join their son, Kittel Olson, who had preceded them. On reaching America, ( )le Kittleson and Berit Ellefson went to Wining. near where Ole Kittleson was employed on farms for some years, later living in retirement with his son, Kittel. until the death of the elder Kittleson, in the year 1899. Ole Kittleson was survived by his wife. Berit, who now lives near Yining, being eighty-three years of age. To the marriage of Ole Kittleson and Berit Ellefson were born the following children: Kittel, the subject of this sketch; Ellef, a farmer who lives one and one-half miles east of the town of Vining; Knut, a farmer living one-half mile north of the town of Vining; Tom, who was a farmer and railroad worker, now deceased; Ole C, who is the manager of a grain elevator at the town of Underwood; Knut, who is a farmer of the state of North Dakota; and Rev. Adw. Olson, who is pastor at Morns. Minnesota.

Kittel Olson was educated in the public schools of Norway, and when twenty-eight years of age he came to America and settled in St. Olaf township, where he engaged in general farm work for sometime and then, in the year f883, Incame to Folden township and bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in section 27, land which being covered with unbroken timber, he proceeded to clear and to prepare for cultivation, at the same time building a log house in which to live. After some years effort and with tinaddition of many improvements, among which are a new house of modern construction, ami a new barn, together with other necessary buildings, the farm of Mr. Olson is among the best equipped, for general agricul-

purposes, of the locality. Kittel Olson engaged in general farming, each year producing excellent crops and raising first-class cattle for the market and for dairy purposes.

During the year 1880 Kittel Olson was married to Oletta Peterson, who was born in Norway, the daughter of Peder Peterson and wife. Kittel and Oletta Olson are the parents of the following children: Bella, who was born on April 13, 1881, and who married Theodore Bjerke, and now lives at Ruso, North Dakota: Olavus, November 3, 1882, who is a barber at Vining, Minnesota; Peter. February 21, 1885, who died on February 27, 1885; Matilda, July 10, [886, who died on September 11. 1889, and Clarence, October 16, 1888, who married Hilda Rakstad.

Kittel Olson has been a well-known man in the public life of Folden township. Otter Tail county, having served credibly in the office of school director and having been township supervisor, hi politics. Mr. Olson 1- an ardent Republican. Kittel Olson and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, in which congregation they are faithful and conscientious workers.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Torkel Olson is a native of Norway and his birth occurred on September 29. 1845. He is the son of Ole Torkelson and Betsey Olson, both natives of Norway, who immigrated to America in 1856. Ole Torkelson was employed as a day laborer while a resident of his native land but engaged in agricultural pursuits during his residence in the United States. For one year he was located in Houston county, Minnesota, but removed from there to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and thence to Douglas county, Minnesota, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, under the homestead law, on which he established a home where he still resides.

Torkel Olson is indebted to the schools of his native country and. also, to the schools of Iowa, for the education which he received. He was eleven years of age when he immigrated to America with his parents and only about seventeen, when he enlisted in Company D, Sixth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Tin's regiment was in many skirmishes with the Indi- (58b) ans. notable of which was the battle at White Stone hills, in South Dakota, in which he was severely injured. After the close of the Civil War, Torkel Olson purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Douglas county,.Minnesota, under the homestead law, which he held for three years and then removed to Otter Tail county..Minnesota. Soon after his arrival in this count)- he was given a farm of one hundred and seventy-six acres, by Jacob Torkelson, and he still resides on this place which he has since improved and put in the best of condition. He was united in marriage to Carrie Ingebretsoii and they are the parents of nine children, whose names follow: Ole, ingehret, Clara, Bennie, Tilda. Henry, Thelma, Sarerno and Dena. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church ami are active in its support. In his political faith, Torkel Olson is a stanch Republican.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

bar- Olson, a prosperous farmer of Henning township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Olmstead county, Minnesota, June 1, 1858. He is a son of Ole and Kari Olson, both of whom were natives of Norway, the former of whom was born on November 16, 1816, and the latter born August 14, 1821. Mr. Olson's parents came to the United States from Norway in 1847, locating first in Wisconsin. Later they moved to Iowa, and in 1855 came to Olmstead county, Minnesota, where they homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land. On this land more than three hundred Indians were at one time encamped. They gradually added to this original tract until at one time the family had more than two hundred acres of land, ami it was on this farm that Mr. Olson's father died on September 20, 1899. His mother had passed away more than a quarter of a century previously. August 3. 1872. Ole Olson and wife were the parents of seven children, of whom only three, Thomas, Olaus and Lars, are living. The deceased children are Ingeborg, Halvor, Helge and Helena.

Lars Olson received his education principally in the schools of Olmstead county, Minnesota, and for a time was a student in the Benson high school, and also spent one term at St. Olaf's College, Northfield, Minnesota. He was reared to the life of a farmer, and in 1884 came to Otter Tail county, purchasing fort) acres of land in section 17, of Henning township. At this tim- he also owned an eighty-acre farm in section [9 of the same township, lie disposed of this land, however, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Folden township, hut for the past seven years has lived in Henning township on a farm which is situated in section 17.

On April 10. 1887. Lars Olson was married to Carrie Grovdal, who was born in Norway in r866, and who 1. a daughter of Hans and Anne

Grovdal. Mrs. Olson's parents came to Dodge county, Minnesota, in 1876, and here her father died in 1895, while her mother died in Otter Tail county three years later in 1898.

Mr. and Mrs. Lars Olson are the parents of seven children, of whom one, Lawrence, is deceased. The living children are Oscar, Carl, Emma, Harris. Edwin and Lillian.

Mr. Olson and family are earnest members of the United Lutheran church, in which they take an active interest. Mr. Olson has served his township as assessor for seven years, holding that important office at the present time.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ANTON JORGEN OLSON.

Anton Jorgen Olson, a well-known retired farmer of Pelican Rapids, is an expert in his line of work. The quality of the yield of his acres has always been a matter of pride with him, and he has not only produced good crops, but has known how to dispose of them profitably. Mr. Olson was born in Norway on November 24, 1840, and is the son of Ole Anderson, whose life history is given in the sketch of Otto C. Foss, the brother of Anton Olson, presented on another page of this work.

The subject of this sketch as a boy attended school in his native country and in 1869 came to America and first stopped in Baltimore. Later he went to Iowa, where he lived the first three years of his residence in this country. He then came to Otter Tail county and took up a homestead claim of eighty acres in Pelican township, where he has lived ever since. Ikimproved this place by erecting the necessary buildings and later added one hundred and twenty acres adjoining his homestead.

Anton Jorgen Olson was married to Christina Haugrud, who was born in Norway. They were married in Pelican township. The children born of this union are Hannah A. Olson, who lives at home; Otto C, a resident of Dakota, and Carl L., who also lives at home. The family belong to the Lutheran church.

Mr. Olson is a man whose industry and strength of character have commended him to all who know him. He is a man of integrity and of unfailing consideration for the rights of others. In the labor and hardship incident to rural life, Mr. Olson has had the willing assistance of his faithful and devoted wife.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HANS O. OLSON.

Hans O. Olson, one of the leading citizens of Underwood, this county, was born in Norway, March 8, 1856, near Tromso, son of Ole C. and Guri (Olsen) Olson. Both parents were born in Norway, and there spent their entire lives. The father was a carpenter and shoemaker by trade, which he followed all the active years of his life, his death occurring when he was seventy years of age. Both he and his good wife were faithful members of the Lutheran church, and gave careful attention to the rearing of their seven children. Of these, Hans O.. the immediate subject of this sketch, is the eldest; Ole still lives in Norway, where he is a laborer; Olia is the wife of Nils Thygesen of Underwood; Karoline still remains in Norway, the wife of Johan Hendrickson; Kristopher also remains in his native land, a laborer, and two died in infancy.

Hans O. Olson attended the public schools of his native land, but meager was the opportunity for education given, there being but seven school weeks in the year. At the age of fourteen or fifteen he began life for himself as a fisherman and also worked at farming. In 1881, at the age of twenty-five, he emigrated to America and settled in Otter Tail county. Here he secured work on the Northern Pacific railroad, then in course of construction, remaining at that work for some two years. He quit that work to accept a position in the store of Severson & Evanson, the first merchants of Underwood, and in 1889 he left them and returned to Norway, intending to remain in his native land. However, a few months later found him back in Underwood and he then went to work for Ole Loseth in his general store and later was with Bjorge & Sjordal. He was with Mr. Loseth for five years and severed his connection to return to his native land. Again he intended to remain permanently, but in four months was back in America again, and it was then he entered the employ of Bjorge & Sjordal.

Again in i8qq Hans O. Olson returned to his native land, but this time he went for a wife, and while there was united in marriage with Henrietta Hanson, daughter of Hans Olsen. Mr. Olson then brought his wife to Underwood and again began clerking for Bjorge & Sjordal, remaining with them about three years.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES O. OLSON.

Charles O. Olson, a native of Sweden, was born on January 1, 1850. The parents of Mr. < >ison, < )le Carlson and Ellen Swenson were born, grew up and were married in Sweden where the father farmer on his own land until his death in 1895, being followed by the death of his wife in 1905. He never enlisted in military service. There nine children are as follow: Charles O.; Mary, who married and died in Sweden; Swen also passed away at the age of sixteen: Andrew, a butcher, living in St. Paul. Minnesota; Ocke, a Swedish farmer; John, a bricklayer living in Chicago; Swen. a St. Paul merchant; Hilda, who lives in Sweden, and Esther.

Charles O. Olson went to school in his native land and farmer and was thirty years old when he decided to seek his fortune in America. lie came to this country and at once settled in Otter Tail county. In r88o he purchased two hundred acres of land in section 29, of Elmo township. This land was practically a wilderness at that time ami Mr. Olson was compelled, at first, to live in a dugout while he began to clear and improve the property which was to become his future home. On the site of his present home he later built a log cabin and began his career as general farmer.

In is<)4 he and Amanda Anderson, a native of Sweden, were united in marriage, she being a daughter of Ander Swenson. To them five children were born, Adolph, Obert. Aldo. Esther and Ellen.

Besides being a successful farmer. Mr. Olson is a stockholder of the Almora Creamery Company and of the Fanners Elevator Company at 1 Lenning. I le is a member of the Republican party and both he and his wife belong to the Elmo Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Olson has also served as school director.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Alvin Olson is one of the four children horn to the union of Xels Olson and Christena Evander, and his birth occurred on April 12, 1880, in Clitherall township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. The parents of Alvin Olson immigrated to America in 1869, and secured a farm under the homestead law, in Clitherall township, where they remained until their death. The paternal grandfather of Alvin Olson was Ole Erickson, who lived and died in Sweden. Alvin Olson is the second child born to his parents, and the names of his brother and two sisters follow: Christenia, Oleva and Oscar.

Alvin Olson received his education in the schools of Eagle Lake township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and has always resided in this locality. He owns one-half of the old home place and. beside, owns two hundred acres on which he does general farming and stock raising. In 1905 he was successful in winning the hand of Emma Elwanger, and of this union five children have been born: Walter, Irene. Myrtle, Reynold ami Roy. Emma (Elwanger) Olson is the daughter of Fred Elwanger, who immigrated to America from Germany and became a pioneer of Clitherall township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota. It was here that Emma Elwanger was born. Alvin Olson and his wife. Emma (Elwanger) Olson are both members of the Lutheran church at Eagle Lake, and are earnest supporters of this denomination. They have many friends among the citizens of this locality and arc well liked by all who know them.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ANDREW C. OLSON.

Andrew C. Olson, farmer of Buse township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, residing near the city of Fergus Falls, is a native of the state of Iowa, born in the town of McGregor on April 14, 1871, son of Christian and Rachel Olson. Mr. Olson's parents were both born in Norway, were married there in 1870 and came directly to the United States. They went to McGregor, Iowa, where they remained but a short time, and then came to the state of Minnesota, locating in Sherburne county. Here they permanently located. They purchased a farm, which they set about improving and on that homestead the children were all reared. The father's death occurred about the year 1892 and the mother had died a few years previously. There were four children in the family, of whom Andrew C., the immediate subject of this sketch, is the youngest. Lottie married Hans Anderson and resides in Sherburne county, and in that same county Annie and Ole also make their homes, the latter engaged in farming. Mr. Olson's parents were both faithful lifelong members of the Lutheran church and ordered their lives in accordance with its teachings.

Andrew C. Olson received his education in the common schools of Sherburne county and from his earliest boyhood he was taught by his father to assist in the work of the farm home. He well understood the secrets of successful husbandry by the time he had attained manhood and when about twenty-one years of age he started out in life for himself. The following four years he hired out to farm labor in different places near his home and about 1896 or 1897 he came to Otter Tail county, where he located permanently. For a time he was a renter in Carlisle township and then purchased a farm on the shores of Swan lake, where he resided for three years. In 1910 he purchased the farm of oikhundred and sixty acres in Buse township, where he has since made his home, giving his attention to general farming such as is commonly practiced throughout this section.

Mr. Olson is one who takes a keen interest in all that affects community life and as an organizer and promoter of the Horseshoe Lake Telephone Company he has rendered valuable service. He has also acted as president of the company named since its organization. In politics, Mr. Olson prefers to vote independently, not being found by any party lines, and as one sincerely seeking the best conditions possible he has served as a member of the local school board.

( )n November T3. 1897 Andrew C.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.