Gilbert P. Olson was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, March 27, 1861. At the age of 13 he came with his parents to Big Stone County, Minnesota. At the age of 21 he started for Dakota Territory in a covered wagon. There were about seven covered wagons in the company and each had some stock and belongings along. They came by way of Fort Ransom where four of the families remained. Those who continued along were Gilbert P. Olson, John Paulson, Anton Stromme, Erick Jacobson, Anton Pederson and Joseph Hope. They arrived near Lake Jessie the 7th of June, 1882.
Mr. Olson settled on Section 10, Addie Township. He and others then went to Cooper's ranch and after being turned down several times were told if they wanted to work they could start shocking. In the fall of 1882 Cooper's men including Mr. Olson hauled grain to Sanborn and lumber back for buildings. Each trip took three days. There were about 20 wagons hauling grain. The first lumber was hauled for Knut Thompson. Mr. Olson worked at Coopers until Christmas. The winter of 1882-83 he stayed with John Paulson, a neighbor. In the spring of 1883 he purchased a yoke of oxen from Knute Thompson and broke up his land. He put in 7 acres of crop and received 105 bushels of grain. His first machinery was a Buckeye seeder and a sulky plow. Early in the winter of 1882 with his oxen hitched unto a wagon he went to Portland for provisions. In the fall of 1883 Mr. Olson went back to Cooper's ranch and was put to work in the elevator unloading grain.
Mr. Olson was married in 1889 to Eli Walen by Reverend Lundeby and built his first house in 1891. Four children were born to this union:
Mrs.Gilbert Olson passed away in 1896.
Gilbert Olson remarried January 18, 1901 to Amanda Nelson. She had been married to a Mr. Anderson and two daughters had been born to them. Mr. Anderson had passed away when the girls were quite small.
To Mr. Olson's second marriage seven children were born:
She is a widow.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 page 186