Charles Afton Olson
Charles Afton Olson was born in a small log home on December
7, 1889. He is the fourth child in a
family of nine born to Paul Lauritz Larsson and Kerstina Neilson Harrison
Olson. By a pervious marriage his mother
had three other sons, Otto, Joseph and William Harrison whom he always
considered as full brothers. It was said
that he was one of the first white babies born in Afton .
Charles attended school thru the eighth grade in Osmond , Wyoming Snake River
country, over the Blue Trail. He led
pack horses over dangerous canyon trails.
Charles met his future wife, Cecil Cline at a dance in the
old Ward Hall in Afton, and after a courtship of four years, they left in a
white-topped buggy, drawn by a well-matched team of horses he owned and headed
for Montpelier , Idaho
where they boarded a train for Salt
Lake City , Utah Salt Lake Temple
Once they returned to Star Valley Charles worked the farm
with his father Paul who had homesteaded a 160 acre farm. He later purchased this farm from his
father. Charles milked cows, kept a
small flock of sheep and hauled milk for the Afton Creamery. In the early days he used a team of horses
and wagon in the summer and sleighs in the winter. Later on he drove a
truck. He and his brothers spent many
winters sawing and hauling logs from Dry
Creek Canyon
In January of 1933 their home burned, and Charles brother George
invited the family to live with his family.
Charles and his brothers, Albert and George and other members of the
Osmond Ward got logs out of the canyon and by April erected a new house.
Charles was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. And served as
secretary in the Sunday School, Ward Clerk, YMMIA secretary, and he and his
wife served as Stake Missionaries for three years. In 1945-46, when 57 years of age, he served a
seven month mission to the North Central States. He later served as Gospel Doctrine teacher in
the Sunday School.
He loved sports of all kinds, especially horse racing. He loved horses and took pride in owning
beautiful teams. He had an outgoing,
jovial nature that won him many friends.
Charles passed away in Smithfield, Utah on Friday August 28, 1970. He had 12 years of confinement as more or less a complete invalid which during this time his faithful companion remained at his side, caring for his every need.
Charles and Cecil were the parents of eight children, 5 sons
and 3 daughters:
Melvin
Charles, born 20 Aug 1916 in
Osmond, Lincoln , Wyoming
Carol
Cecil, born 15 Feb 1918 in
Osmond, Lincoln , Wyoming
Fern
Donald Lavear, born 30 Mar 1921,
Afton, Lincoln , Wyoming
Arline Joyce, born 11 Mar 1923,
Osmond-Afton, Lincoln , Wyoming
Dean Afton, born 19 Jan 1925, Afton, Lincoln ,
Wyoming
Clyde Afton, born 28 Dec 1927
Paul
