Olson, Gilbert R.

Jonas Olson was born at Skaraborgs Län Westergötland, Sweden, on 27 November 1831. He immigrated to America in 1861 and in 1864 homesteaded in Alfsborg Township, Sibley County, Minnesota. Here he met and married Anna Britta Hed, born in 1835 to Mr. and Mrs. Johannes Hed. They farmed on their homestead, planting, cultivating, and harvesting with hand tools, usually homemade. The only fuel available was wood.

Jonas helped organized the first school and was elected to its first Board of Directors. The family lived on their homestead until 1908 when they retired and moved to Winthrop. They had nine children by this time. The children were all raised as devout Christians and abstained from alcohol. They were also all born without medically trained help, as the closest doctor was many miles away. Jonas’s and Anna’s daughter, Josephine, married John Olson Josephine . .

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