G. B. Olson

G. B. Olson, who devotes his attention to general agricultural pursuits, is the owner of a well improved tract of land comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 35, Center township. It was on this farm that his birth occurred , his natal day being July 2, 1867. His father, Peter S. Olson, was born at Gol, Hallingdal, Norway, and when a lad of ten years accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, the family home being established in Minnesota, where he grew to manhood. In the early ‘50s he came to Allamakee county, Iowa, and was here married to Miss Betsey Larson, a sister of L. O. Larson, of Taylor township. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, erected thereon a log house and here made his home for many years. Subsequently he removed to Mower county, Minnesota, and six years later went to Nebraska, where he preempted a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Keeping this tract, he later homesteaded another one hundred and sixty acres near Alliance, Nebraska, and there spent the remainder of his life. Unto him and his wife were born fourteen children, as follows: Mary Ann, who is the wife of August Jahnke and resides in Canada; Oscar, who is decreased; Oliver, living in Nebraska; Josephine Matilda, who is the widow of John Peterson and resides in Fargo, North Dakota; G. B., of this review; Ida, the wife of Peter Rensvald, of Alliance, Nebraska; Louis, who when last heard from was in Alaska; Elizabeth, the wife of Abert Rensvald, of Alliance, Nebraska; Emma, who died in childhood; Rosa, living in Salt Lake City; Addie, who is the wife of John J. Zwingle and resides in Canada; Sophia, the wife of Henry Rabbit, of Alliance, Nebraska; Stanley Washington, who was killed by a horse in Wyoming when twenty-eight years of age; and Isabel, who passed away at the age of eighteen years.

G. B. Olson spent the first eleven years of his life on the home farm in Center township, this county, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Minnesota, while later the family home was established in Nebraska. Twenty years ago he returned to the old homestead in Center township, this county, purchasing the property from his father. The place comprises one hundred and sixty acres and he has made all of the improvements thereon, erecting a substantial frame residence and barns. Success has attended his efforts as an agriculturist, the well tilled fields annually yielding bounteous harvest in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. He and his son, William each have a cream route, hauling cream to the Waterville and Calhoun creameries respectively.

At Alliance, Nebraska, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Inter Kaasa, a native of Winneshiek county, Iowa, and a daughter of Tosten Kaasa, who was an early settler of that county. They have seven children, namely: William, at home; Tilda, who is the wife of Walter Huffy; and Gunda, Jhalmer, Inga, Evelyn and Clara, all of whom are still under the parental roof. The family belong to the Synod church. In politics Mr. Olson is a democrat, staunchly known throughout the community and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the substantial agriculturists and respected citizens of his native county.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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