Hans C. Olson Biography This biography appears on pages 618-619 in "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm HANS C. OLSON.-Since attaining to man's estate Hans C. Olson has been identified with the growth and development of South Dakota and as a farmer he is still carrying on the work of improvement in Yankton county, where he now makes his home. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Norway, October 29, 1854, and was about fifteen years of age when he came to the United States with his parents, Ole and Mary Olson. On landing in this country they proceeded at once to South Dakota and settled in Clay county, but after residing there for thirteen years they came to Yankton county. The father became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he subsequently sold, buying the property in Gayville where his widow now resides While engaged in farming he met with good success, although his crops at times were greatly damaged by the floods and were almost completely destroyed by grasshoppers when those pests invaded the land. He improved the farm before selling it and later was engaged in wagonmaking at Gayville for about fifteen years. By his ballot he supported the men and measures of the Republican party, and he held membership in the Lutheran church, to which his widow also belongs. She has now reached the age of seventy-six years. After a useful and well spent life, he died in August, 1901. His children were Johanna, Hans C., John, Peter, Herman, Oliana, Otena, Martin and Regina. As soon as old enough to be of any assistance Hans C. Olson began to aid his father in the operation of the home farm and has since devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land. two hundred and thirty of which are under cultivation. He is quite extensively engaged in the raising of stock, making a specialty of Hereford cattle. and usually ships from one to two carloads of cattle annually and also sells from fifty to one hundred hogs. Mr. Olson was married in August, 1879, the lady of his choice being Miss Becka Erickson, also a native of Norway, and after her death he wedded Dora Simmion, who was born in the same country, her parents making that their home throughout life. .Mr. Olson has six children by: his first marriage and four by the second, namely: Ole Nels, Martin, Fred, Herbert, Eddie, William, John, Edna and Carl, all living at the present writing in 1903. He is providing his children with good school privileges and as a school official he takes an active interest in educational affairs. For seven years he served as deputy assessor of his township, and the Republican party has always found in him an ardent supporter. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, and being a man of strict integrity and sterling worth he has the confidence and respect of all who know him.