Allen I. Olson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Allen I. Olson
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Allen Olson in 1981
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| 28th Governor of North Dakota | |
| In office January 6, 1981 – January 1, 1985 |
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| Lieutenant | Ernest Sands |
| Preceded by | Art Link |
| Succeeded by | George Sinner |
| 25th Attorney General of North Dakota | |
| In office 1973–1980 |
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| Governor | Art Link |
| Preceded by | Helgi Johanneson |
| Succeeded by | Robert Wefald |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Allen Ingvar Olson
November 5, 1938 Rolla, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Barbara Benner Olson |
| Children | 3 |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Service years | 1963–1967 |
| Unit | U.S. Army JAG Corps |
Allen Ingvar Olson (born November 5, 1938) is an American lawyer and politician from the Republican Party. He served as the 28th governor of North Dakota from 1981 to 1985. In 1980, he won the election against the governor at the time, Art Link, and served for one four-year term.
Early Life and Career
Allen Olson was born in the small town of Rolla, North Dakota, on November 5, 1938. He went to college at the University of North Dakota and earned a law degree. After college, he joined the United States Army.
Military and Legal Work
In the army, Olson worked as a lawyer in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as the JAG Corps. This is the legal branch of the U.S. Army. By 1967, he was working in Munich, West Germany, as the Chief of Military Justice.
After leaving the army, he returned to North Dakota. From 1967 to 1969, he helped lead a state committee that studied important environmental issues. These included strip mining and how to restore the land afterward. In 1969, he started working as a lawyer in a private law firm. He later ran for attorney general in 1972 and won, serving in that role for eight years. The attorney general is the top lawyer and law enforcement officer for the state.
Governor of North Dakota
In 1980, Olson decided to run for governor and won the election. As governor, he focused on several key projects.
His government created the Department of Human Services, which helps people in the state with their health and social needs. He also helped turn the Cross-Ranch into a state park for everyone to enjoy. Olson supported the Garrison Diversion program, a large water project in North Dakota.
During his time as governor, a major lawsuit was filed against the state by a group supporting citizens with disabilities. Olson ran for a second term in 1984 but lost the election to George A. Sinner.
Life After Politics
After his term as governor ended, Olson returned to being a lawyer in Bismarck. A year later, he moved to Minneapolis and joined a new law firm.
In 1987, he became a co-owner of a company in New Hope, Minnesota, that made metal parts. He also led an association for community banks for many years.
In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed him to be a commissioner for the International Joint Commission. This group helps solve issues about the waters shared by Canada and the United States. In 2010, Olson announced his support for a candidate in the Minnesota governor's election.
