Karl J. Olsen (1880-1968) was born in Norway and received an education comparable to a Junior College education. He entered the business world at seventeen years serving as an apprentice in Germany; after three years he was employed as a dry goods salesman in Germany. He borrowed $100.00 and came to New York in 1904 where he worked in an art store to improve his English. He came to North Dakota where he worked in stores at Casselton, Fessenden and Jamestown before opening his own store in Valley City in 1908. In 1911 Mr. Olsen and Josephine Hendrickson were married. Two sons were born to them: David D -Director of the United Nations in Rome, has three children; James a graduate of Northwestern University Law School lives and works in Washington, D.C. Mr. Olsen was a member of the school board for twenty-five years and was chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board for thirty years. He was a past president of the Rotary Club and a director of Fidelity Savings and Loan and of The American National Bank. Mr. Olsen could always be counted upon to give his support, both moral and financial, to any cultural activity for Valley City. His church, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, benefited not only in his donations but in the planning for the present beautiful building.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 181