Olesen, Peder Christian, 1845-1938.

Peder Christian Olesen, the son of Ole and Ella Christiansen, was born near Esbjerg, Denmark on May 29, 1845. At the age of 14 he was apprenticed to learn the tailor trade, but he never followed the profession. Under the Danish law requiring compulsory military training he spent 22 months in the army.

In November 1872 he became the first, and only, member of his family to emigrate to America. After spending one year in Illinois he journeyed west where he spent time railroading in California and Nevada. He came to the Inland Empire in 1879 and settled in Moscow in 1881 where he worked with Charles Moore managing a flour mill. He acquired property in and around Moscow and assisted others, many around Grangeville, by loaning money.

...