Allen I. Olson was born in Rolla, N.D. in 1938. He received both his undergraduate and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of North Dakota. Olson was active in the United States Army, first as a Judge Advocate General's Corps lawyer, and then as the Chief of Military Justice in Munich, West Germany. Upon his return to North Dakota in 1967, Olson served as assistant director of the Legislative Research Committee, now known as the Legislative Council. During this time, the state conducted its first studies of strip mining, soil banks, and land reclamation under Olson's direction. Olson entered private law practice in 1969 as a partner in the Bismarck firm Conmy, Rosenberg, Lucas, and Olson. In 1972, Allen Olson won the first of his two consecutive terms as North Dakota Attorney General. 1980 brought the Republican nomination for Governor, and Olson defeated incumbent Arthur A. Link in this year. Olson would serve as Governor until 1984, when he was defeated by Democrat George A. Sinner. As Governor, Allen Olson worked to stop railroad abandonment in the state, and continued to support the Garrison Diversion Project. Cross Ranch was purchased and turned over to the state as a state park during Olson's tenure. One of Olson's more controversial acts was the deinstitutionalization of Grafton State School and San Haven State Hospital. After leaving office, Olson returned to private legal practice in North Dakota and Minnesota.
From the description of Allen I. Olson records, 1981-1984. (State Historical Society of North Dakota State Archives). WorldCat record id: 18220319
