Henry W. Olson of rural Valley City is the fourth son of Charles W. Olson. He is a grandson of pioneer Stephan Stephans. Henry was born in Nelson township, Barnes county in 1904. He lived there until he moved to his present home near Valley City, in 1938.
Henry helped his father until he became a farmer in his own right, when he rented land in partnership with his brother, Carl V. Olson. Henry received his common school education in District 38, and went to Hanson Tractor School in Fargo, North Dakota. Henry and his brother, Carl, owned and operated gravel trucks and they also owned a couple of Belgian Stallion horses.
In 1927, Henry married Myrtle Nelson, the only daughter of A. C. Nelson. It is noteworthy the paternal grandfathers of Henry and Myrtle Olson; namely, Stephan Stephans and Andres Nelson, both lived as neighbors in Lanesboro, in Fillmore county, Minnesota. They both came, as early pioneers, to Dakota Territory and continued to work together in building their future homes, school district, church, congregation, and state.
Henry was one of the first farmers to obtain an F.H.A. Tenancy loan in Barnes County. Through this government agency, he became the owner of the former Arthur Sunde farm in Section 12, Twp. 140 - Range 58, and in Section 7 of Alta Twp. For many years Henry specialized in raising purebred Shorthorn cattle, Duroc hogs and selling Grade "A" milk.
When the Henry Olsons lived on the Bonhus farm in Nelson Twp., he was a school board director in District 38 and served as township supervisor for two terms. During the drought and depression years, he supervised relief work in Nelson Twp.
Henry was baptized and confirmed in Sheyenne Valley Lutheran Church and is now a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Valley City.
Henry and Myrtle raised three children; Joe was the eldest. In the Korean War, Joe was called to the colors. He was wounded and had his hands and feet frozen. In spite of his handicap, he led a full and fruitful life. He married Arlene Aune; they had three children. He earned his Master's degree and was Assistant Administrator of the Vocational Rehabilitation Department until his death on January 23, 1974.
Faith, the Olsons' only daughter, went through nurses' training to become an "R. N.". She married Floyd Johnson. They have two sons and live in Omaha, Nebraska. Faith is presently a nurse in the Public School system of Omaha.
Frank, the youngest, was the cattleman for many years. Frank was also the showman and, for years, his name was rarely absent from the list of champions at the North Dakota Winter Show. He married Connie Patterson. They have three children, and have lived in Nokomis, Florida since 1961.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 184