CHARLES AFTON OLSON

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.  As no higher education was available, he continued to study in the eighth grade for three school years.  Around the age 16 years old, he worked with a survey company for the railroad in the 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.  They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on October 7, 1915 (October 6^th?)  During this trip they went to Grantsville to visit Cecil’s grandparents.  Cecil’s grandfather (B.F. Barrus) being a Patriarch gave Cecil and Charles a Patriarchal Blessing.

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.  Often the snow was deep and there was always danger of snow slides.  In one slide, his brother William Harrison lost his life.

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