Biographies:  Gullick OLSON, early settler of Barron Co., WI 

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Victor Gulickson  <vic@indy.net>  23 April 1999
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Gullick Olson, one of the earliest settlers of Barron County, who lived also 
to be one of its oldest and most esteemed citizens, was born in Telemarken,
Norway Oct. 17, 1825, and was there reared, educated and married. His first 
wife died in that country and in 1856 he married Gunhild Moen, who was born 
in Telemarken, Sept. 17, 1830. In 1868 he brought his wife and five children 
to America. The voyage was made aboard the sailboat "Rjukan" and took a 
little over eight weeks, a hard voyage indeed for the mother with the young 
children. They landed at Quebec, strangers in a strange land, almost without 
money, and ignorant of the language.  From Quebec they found their way to 
Detroit, Mich. and from there to this state where they settled at Iola, in 
Waupaca County. Five years later they set out for Barron County with an ox 
team. Upon their arrival here in 1873 they took a homestead of 160 acres of 
wild land in Section 25. This was on Pokegama Prairie, then almost a 
wilderness with only a few scattered settlers. For awhile they lived with 
neighbors while he put up a small log cabin. Then he started clearing the 
land and raising crops. Wheat brought low prices and had to be hauled to 
Chippewa Falls or Eau Claire, a three days' journey. These places were also  
the trading points where the provisions were secured. Mr. and Mrs. Olson
worked early and late, assisted by their children, and before old age came
they had established a comfortable home and developed a good farm. They were
especially active in the affairs of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.  Early
services were often held in his log cabin, and when the congregation at 
Foberg was established he helped to build the first church. He also held
several offices in the congregation. All in all, he was an active and useful 
man, whose career meant real good to the community. He was a good farmer, a 
good citizen and good neighbor, his first thought was ever of his family, 
and his death left a vacancy in the community that will not soon be filled. 
He died Feb. 15, 1921, after a long and useful life. His wife died Oct 11, 
1906. She was a loving and dutiful wife, an affectionate and sympathetic 
mother, a kind neighbor, and genial friend, and she will long be missed. 
Mr. and Mrs. Olson were the parents of eight children: Andrew of Cameron; 
Barney of Stanley Township; Ole of Glenwood, Minn.; Charles of Koochiching 
County, Minn.; Alice, living in Stanley Township, the widow of William Olson; 
Theodore of Moorehead Minn., and two who died in infancy in Norway.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.,
1922, pg. 784.