olsonc
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
CHARLES D. OLSON is a prosperous
and highly respected tiller of the soil residing six miles north of Ritzville,
and was born in Sodermanland, Sweden, August 8, 1866, the son of Olof and
Johannah (Peterson) Olson, natives of Sweden, in which country they now
live. Besides the subject, they are parents of Erick, Sophia, William
and Josie Olson; the only ones of whom are in America are the subject of
this sketch, William, who lives near Ritzville, and Josie, in Illinois.
Until arriving at the age of fifteen, Mr.
Olson attended the common schools in his native land. He then left
school to engage in farm work, and he also learned the carpenter's trade,
at which he worked over two years before coming to America in 1886.
After coming to this country he lived three years in Illinois, then came
to Spokane in 1889, worked at his trade for a time, coming to Adams county
with his brother to file on land. Each of the brothers took a homestead
near Lind, which they at once proceeded to cultivate and improve.
Our subject later sold his land and came to his present locality, where
he purchased a half section of raw land, which he now has in an excellent
state of cultivation and improvement. In 1901 he bought another half
section adjoining his first, since which time he has grown between three
and four thousand sacks of wheat annually.
In 1902 Mr. Olson was married to Annie M.
Nelson, also a native of Sweden, and daughter of Nels and Sarah (Anderson)
Nelson, who came to America from Sweden in 1868, locating in Page county,
Iowa. They came to this state in 1899, since which time they have
made their home near Ritzville. They have been parents of seven children,
all of whom are living, namely: Sarah, Andrew, Carrie, Emma, Augusta, Sophia,
and Anna M.
Charles D. Olson is a sound Democrat in politics,
and a devout member of the Lutheran church.
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