Memorials › Ben Sillius Olsen

Ben Sillius Olsen

14 Dec 1862 – 6 Jun 1946

Birth14 Dec 1862
Death6 Jun 1946
CemeterySims Cemetery
Morton County , North Dakota , USA
Added byBrian Backes on 16 Jun 2013
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/111186996

Bio

BEN S. OLSON FAMILY Morton Prairie Roots 1776-1976; Page 42 Ben S. Olson was born December 14, 1862 in Falen Spangeried, Norway, the eldest son of Reinhardt and Tonetta Olson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith in Norway. He spent his early manhood as a sailor in Norway until 1882, when he came to the United States and settled in Sims, North Dakota. He secured work in a coal mines and brick yard. Later he homesteaded west of Almont, North Dakota, on the farm where his son Tom still lives. In 1886 Ben was United in marriage to Bertha Kristine Pederson (better known as Stina). To this union seven children were born; namely: Tobine (Mrs. Tollef Christianson), Pauline (Mrs. Ed Christianson), Rudolph, Maria (Mrs. Pete Stiller), Bernard (better known as Beas), Bertina and Bertinius (both of whom died in infancy). All seven of the children from the first family are deceased including all of their spouses, with the exception of Mrs. Beas (Huldah) Olson. After the death of his first wife Stina in 1910. Ben returned to his native Norway in 1911 and spent his time doing carpentry work. In 1912 he married Ida Christianson. Three children were born to this union: Tom, Chris, and Borghild. His wife Ida passed away in 1919, and their daughter Borghild passed away the same year at the age of eight months. He then returned to the United States 1920 with his two small sons, Tom (seven years) and Chris (five years), and went to live with his son-in-law and daughter (Mr. and Mrs. Tollef Christianson). Ben and his sons lived with them for two years until he moved to Almont, North Dakota where he went into business for himself operating a cream station and shoe and harness repair shop, as well as continuing with some carpentry work. In 1923 Ben was united in marriage to Gurine Tobiason of Norway. Ben, Gurine and the two sons resided in Almont for the duration of Ben's life. Tom continue to live on and operate the farm that been homesteaded upon. Chris married the former Annie Brown of Richardton, North Dakota, and moved to Mandan to become owner and manager of the Western Auto Parts where he has been ever since. EXPERIENCE: in 1882, when Ben was at the age of 20, he worked as a sailor on a Norwegian freighter in Norway which ran between various countries. Ben was an assistant cook at the time. Later, making a trip to Québec, Canada, Ben decided to leave the ship. He hitchhiked to Dakota Territory where he settled in Sims. The trip by foot took Mr. Olson three weeks. In 1940, Ben's health failed so he retired from his business. He continued to reside in Almont, North Dakota until his death at the age of 84, on June 16, 1946, which was due to complications from old age. He was a member of the Almont Lutheran Church. His wife Gurine passed away on March 21, 1964 at the age of 80 years. She had lived in Almont for 39 years. The outgrowth of Ben's life and marriages resulted in then updated count of 260 descendents. ********* Baptized Berent Selius on Dec. 26, 1862. Family in 1865 census at the farm Feland in Spangereid: Reinert Olsen 50, Tonette Pedersdatter 33, ..Bernt S. Reinertsen 4, ..Petrine T. Reinertsdatter 2, ..Nikolai Reinertsen 14 (1. marriage) (Info from Torkel, #48106268 09mar16)

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