Henry O. Olson Biography


	This biography appears on page 856 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				HENRY O. OLSON. 

	The farming interests of Lake county find a worthy representative 
in Henry O. Olson, who lives on section 36, LeRoy township, where he 
has a quarter section of rich and productive laud. He was born in Iowa 
on the 16th day of May, 1873, and is a son of Martin Olson, of whom 
mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The district schools afforded 
him 0a early educational privileges and later he enjoyed the advantage 
of a year's study in the high school at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He 
then returned to the home farm and assisted his father in its further 
development and cultivation and later he began farming on his own 
account, starting out independently in 1894. It was in that year that 
he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 36, LeRoy 
township, Lake county, and in addition he owns another quarter section 
in Rutland township, which he also cultivates. He has made a success of 
farming, for he is an energetic man whose labors are intelligently 
directed and who does not hesitate to set himself to and continue in 
the tasks which are so necessary in developing and improving a tract of 
land. He also raises good stock, having some high grade animals upon 
his place, including thirty head of cattle and thirty head of hogs. He 
utilizes modern improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields 
and his agricultural implements are the result of twentieth century 
invention. 

	On the 9th of March, 1898, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to 
Miss Lottie Lavestuen, a daughter of Martin Lavestuen of Iowa, and 
their children are: Merlin, Benora, Harold and Ethelien, all yet at 
home. The religious faith of the family is that of the Lutheran church, 
to which Mr. and Mrs. Olson belong, and his political belief is that of 
the republican party. He is a public-spirited citizen who takes a deep 
interest in the development and improvement of his state, and has been 
especially active in promoting the welfare of the community in which he 
lives.