The Olson Family

Due to having a weak body, Christopher was not required to labor as most did during his era. Instead, his parents decided to give him extra education to make up for the difference, specializing in bookkeeping.

In 1850, missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began preaching near the Olsen home. Christopher's mother and older sister joined the Chruch in November, while Christopher was baptized on Dec 11, 1850. Soon after his baptism, because of his bookkeeping experience, he became the secretary of the Danish Mission.

In 1860, the Olsen family joined a group of other Danish Pioneers and moved to Cache Valley. They settled south of Logan and named the area Camp Hollow. At Apostle Ezra T. Benson's suggestion, the Pioneers moved and named the area Hyrum, and built a fort to keep themselves safe from Native American attacks. Christopher was appointed to take charge of the tithing because of his successful bookkeeping skills.

During this time, Christopher entered the practice of polygamy by marrying Caroline Sophia Hansdatter Jensen on May 18, 1867 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The following year, Christopher was told by the Church to move to Richmond to help with the tithing.