BIOGRAPHIES: Christian OLESON, Dallas, Barron County, WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Vic Gulickson 09 April 2001 ==================================================================== Christian Oleson, a worthy early settler, now deceased, who homesteaded a quarter section within the present limits of the Village of Dallas, which has been in the unbroken possession of the family for nearly fifty years, was born in Sorum, Norway, the son of Ole and Anne (Horne) Oleson. He was reared and educated in his native land and was there married to Anna Hanson, who was born in Skemso, Norway, in 1843. In 1869 they came to America, bringing their son, Ole. From Quebec, where they landed, they came to Chicago, and then settled in Rock County, Wisconsin. In 1872 they came to Barron County and homesteaded 160 acres of wild land in sections 13 and 14. There were then but few settlers in this vicinity. No roads had been cut except a few trails and the tote roads of the lumber companies. The Indians and the wild animals still roamed the woods. The Indians had a camp on the homestead and came here in large numbers. Mr. Oleson was a man of kindly disposition, who believed in being fair and just to all men; he treated the Indians as he would treat any other neighbors and their relations were always friendly. Mrs. Oleson and her baby also soon got over their fear of the savages, and they had many pleasant visits. The deer, too, were tame and often came within a few rods of the house. For a while times were hard, and the family had many difficulties to overcome. The trading and marketing points were far away. It was difficult to clear and break the land, even though they were fortunate in owning a yoke of oxen. As time passed, they built up a good farm. Mr. Oleson was active in the development of this part of the township, and helped to build many of the roads. He successfully carried on general farming and dairying for thirty-five years. After a long and useful career, he died Nov. 20, 1907. He was well liked, and held in the deepest esteem, and his death was sincerely mourned. His good wife still lives on the place. She is still active and sprightly at 78 years. She is popular with the young people, and beloved by all who know her, and being a real pioneer, she has many interesting stories to tell of the early days. In the family there are three sons and two daughters: Ole was born in Norway, Nov. 27, 1867. Martin was born in Rock County, Wisconsin, Nov. 18, 1870. The others were born on the present place. Oluf was born Jan. 20, 1873; Julia (first), born in 1877, died in infancy; and Julia M., July 20, 1879. When the father died, each received forty acres, Julia and Oluf the eighty, with the buildings in Section 14, and Ole and Martin the eighty in Section 13. The four live together with the mother and constitute a happy family. They delight in keeping open house to their friends, and their home is always hospitable and cheery. The increase in values in this region may be seen from the fact that the taxes on the property the first year were forty cents. The taxes are now well over $100. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pg. 834.