Ole Olsen

A True Pioneer

Ole Olsen was a courageous, generous man with the true pioneer spirit. He found solutions to problems and wasn't afraid of hard work. Ole was probably responsible for helping the family move to Iona, Idaho. He and his brother Chris were scouting the Snake River Valley as early as 1884. He was among the first to homestead a 155 acre farm. In 1891 Ole had to leave to serve a mission to Norway. Ole's brother Joe took over the new farm while Ole was away.

Ole Olsen's Log Home Ole's Home

Ole built a large log cabin and invited everyone to use it for a school house, dance hall and church. Ole was very popular and liked to sing and dance.

Ole the diplomat. Once his brother came to buy a pound of butter but had no money. Ole took out a quarter and said, "Here, you had better give this to the wife when you get the butter." Everybody in the transaction felt good. The story is told that the same quarter made the same circle many times.

Ole knew the meaning of service, even if it meant risking his own life. As a young man, Ole went with his uncle Nick Wilson and Hans Berg around blowing burnt alum down the throats of sick patients. He had also seen some of the patients die too. A few years later Ole knew what lay ahead when he was diagnosed with diphtheria. His death was a great shock to all his neighbors who had learned to love him.

Ole Olsen Family e-mail addresses

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