After graduating from Concordia College, in Moorhead, Minnesota,[1] Olson moved to Eddy County, North Dakota, and established a successful farm.

[2] Elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives, Olson served from 1917 to 1919.

He was then elected to the North Dakota State Senate, serving from 1919 to 1931, and as president pro tempore in 1929.

During his brief tenure, demonstrators marched on the state capitol and the National Guard was called in.

[4][5] He is buried at Grandfield Lutheran Cemetery in rural Sheyenne, Eddy County, North Dakota.