Charles W. Olson was born in Smaaland, Sweden, April 7, 1866. As a young man he emigrated to America and for a few years worked as a farm laborer during the summer months and in the lumber camps during the winter. He came to this area in 1890 and made his home with John Donnelly, working wherever there was an available job. He soon became the owner of a team of horses and for many years hauled water for steam engines during the threshing season.

In 1892 Charles was married to Mina Stephans, daughter of Stephan and Maria Stephans. Their first home was on the Gregerson homestead, a few rods west of the Stephans log cabin. Sometime later, they moved to a farm known as the Drake farm €“ West ½ of Section 1, 13858) and farmed there for twenty-one years. In 1922, Charles and some of his sons extended their farming operation and moved to a farm known as the Simonson farm in Section 5 of the same township. In 1934, after over forty years of farming in Barnes County, Charles and Mina Olson decided to take life easier and spend their declining years on the old Stephans homestead. A neat little bungalow was built that summer near the old log cabin. Charles, however, suffered a stroke before the house was completed and died January 24, 1935, a few months after moving into their new home. His wife, Mina, continued to live there. Her daughter, Florence, and son-in-law, Birger Johnson, lived with her until Florence passed away in 1937. Mrs. Olson decided not to live in her home by herself, so spent the rest of her life living with her sons. She gave the log cabin to the Pioneer Daughters. This organization moved the cabin to the Pioneer Park in Valley City and a dedication program was held in the fall the same year. Mina Olson passed away February 14, 1942.

Charles and Mina Olson had ten children. All were born in Nelson Township, Barnes County.

Albin,
Mabel S.,
Mabel,
Arthur,
Josephine,
Melvin and
Florence are deceased and
Henry,
Carl and
Curtis live in Barnes County.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 183