Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Olson, Griggs Company, North Dakota homesteaded 31h miles southwest of Sutton in Mabel Township. Alfred Olson, son of Ole and Stena Anderson came from Sweden to the Fargo area in 1881 and to Griggs Company in 1885. Emma Charlotte Peterson came from Sweden and worked at the Kingsley farm near Sutton. Alfred met her there and they were married in 1891. They built a small home where they lived until 1905 when they built a larger house and barn. Two sons and seven daughters were born to the Olsons. Alfred went to Sweden and brought his parents to Griggs Company and they made their home with them until their death in 1907.
The children were Frank, Arthur, Edith (Mrs. Olaf Sortland), Signe, Agda (Mrs. Art Sarsten), Mabel (Mrs. Clarence Haaland), Emma, Myrtle and baby girl. Those who survive are Agda, Mabel, Myrtle and Arthur. Mabel lives in Fargo and the others in Cooperstown.
Many hardships were encountered in those early years using oxen and then horses. Building a home, planting trees and etc. kept them busy. Even driving to Fargo with horses and buggy were later pleasant memories.
July 4, 1927 Alfred Olson passed away and Frank who worked in the Sutton Bank took over the work on the farm until his death. Mrs. Olson died in December 1950. Arthur, Myrtle and Agda taught school a number of years and Mabel worked in a store at Sutton before her marriage. As a family we appreciate our Christian heritage and praise God for a community where churches were established.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 360