Ole G. Olsen
Ole G. Olsen, a resident farmer of Barton township, Worth county, his home being on section 30, was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, August 1, 1869, his parents being Gilbert H. and Bertha (Gilbertson) Olsen, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of George M. Olsen. The family removed to Mitchell county, Iowa, during his early boyhood and there he was reared to the age of twelve years, when a further removal was made to Worth county, the family home being established on section 30, Barton township. He pursued his education in the public schools of Mitchell and Worth counties, devoting the winter months to the mastery of his studies, while in the summer seasons he assisted in the work of the home farm. After his textbooks were put aside he continued to aid in the cultivation of the old homestead property until 1895, when he started out independently and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of farm land on section 30, Barton township. To this he has since added as his financial resources have increased until he is now the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of fine farm land and is devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He is actuated in all that he does by a spirit of progressiveness that is manifest in splendid results. He has a beautiful home which stands in the midst of well kept grounds, handsomely adorned with trees and flowers. The barns and sheds are models in their way and furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. Everything about the place indicates the enterprise and sound judgment of the owner, who is regarded as a representative business man and citizen of his community.
On the 1st of September, 1897, Mr. Olsen was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Luckason, a daughter of Andrew Luckason, who was a well known farmer of Worth county, and the first settler of Kensett. He was born in Norway in 1837 and remained in that country until after his marriage. On coming to America he spent one summer in Rock county, Wisconsin, and then came to Worth county, Iowa, erecting the first house in Kensett. Both he and his wife have now passed away and five of their ten children are also deceased. Those living are Arney, Mrs. Bessie Olsen and Mrs. Ella Foss, all residents of Worth county, and Mrs. Clara Arneson and Charlie, both of whom live in Clay county, Minnesota. Mrs. Olsen was born in Kensett and by her marriage has become the mother of a son, Gilman.
Mr. and Mrs. Olsen hold membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church. He is a man of generous disposition, interested in the public welfare, and is a supporter of the Red Cross and other movements which sustain the government in the present hour of crisis. He has, worked diligently and persistently as the years have gone on and his well defined plans and purposes have brought most gratifying results, placing him with the men of affluence in Barton township.
SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTY, IOWA, 1918, VOL II, PAGE 528
Transcribed by Gordon Felland, August 14, 2006