Christen Olai G. Johnson Dosland was born 24 Jul 1858 at rural Calamus, Clinton County, Iowa, to Gjert J. Johnson and his wife, Britta Christensdatter Skeie Johnson. He was the third of their eleven children.

His father was born at Uskedal, Kvinnherad, Norway. His mother, Britta, was born on the farm Skeie in southern Norway.

Christen's sibings were: Johannes dal Gjertson 26 Jan 1855-20 May 1933 (Synneva Larsina Larson Rosland 3 Aug 1850-9 Oct 1916), Berthanna 6 Apr 1856-9 Nov 1924 (Rev. Johannes J. Heie 11 Nov 1851-15 Mar 1936), Lisebet Karine "Libbie" 30 Dec 1859-1 Feb 1932 (Hans P. N. Petersen 12 Dec 1859-6 May 1937), Christianna Gjertsdatter 27 Jan 1862-8 May 1913 (Erick Barney Charlson 12 Apr 1864-8 Dec 1941), Bertha Margrethe 24 Aug 1863-1865, Bertha Margaret "Berte" 10 Dec 1865-9 May 1952 (Samson Nels Petersen 21 Jan 1864-28 Nov 1939), Gjert "George" G. 2 Dec 1867-8 Aug 1936, Johanna "Marie" 7 Jul 1869-4 Jun 1902 (Albert Julius Kroshus 22 Dec 1864-3 Feb 1896), Leah 6 Jun 1871-15 Aug 1871 and Christian G. 14 Oct 1872-7 Feb 1945 (Anna Dorothy Lobben 29 Oct 1876-20 Jun 1962).

Christen grew to manhood in the Calamus, Iowa area. He married Anne Louise Halvorsen 22 Feb 1882 at Calamus.
They first settled in Iowa. After their marriage in 1882, Christen and Anne moved to Perley, Norman County, MN and settled on a farm southeast of town. They lived in the Perley community all of their married lives except about two years when they lived in Moorhead and Thief River Falls, MN where they operated a hardware store and a cement factory.

They returned to the Perley farm and started up their farming operation again. They lived on this farm in Section 36 for over 60 years and most of their children were born there.

Christen and Anne Louise were the parents of eleven children as follows: Thormon Christian "Tommy" 1 Apr 1883-24 Jun 1969 (Borghild Ingeborg Paulson 22 Jul 1895-20 Jan 1935), Esther Josephine 25 Feb 1885-14 May 1973, Gjert Cornelius 15 Mar 1887-24 Sep 1887, Berthanna Elizabeth 30 Oct 1888-24 Feb 1912, Margrethe "Leonora" 13 Jan 1891-13 May 1983 (Axel Oftedal, MD 6 Dec 1884-1 Oct 1947), Thrine Christine 14 Dec 1892-26 Jan 1973 (Peter J. Gaare 21 Apr 1890-14 Jan 1976), Gjert Johan 13 Feb 1895-17 Dec 1971 (Bessie Amanda Brodahl 13 Jan 1899-31 Mar 1990), Halvor Cornelius 21 Feb 1897-22 Oct 1897, Chester Arthur 2 Dec 1898-18 May 1988 (Edna Amanda Baker 4 Jul 1900-26 Oct 1995), Hildred Cornelia 30 Dec 1901-26 Apr 1990 (Allen Albert Opatz 17 Jun 1897-18 Jan 1971) and Merrill "Hjalmer" 12 Mar 1904-11 Dec 1987.

Christen would pass away 4 Nov 1949 at the Ada Municipal Hospital, Ada, MN. He was 91 years old at the time of his passing. Funeral services for Christen were held at the Bethania Lutheran Church, 9 Nov 1049 with Pastor Jacob A. Lein officiating. Pallbearers were three sons, Gjert Dosland, Chester Dosland and Hjalmer Dosland and three grandsons, LeRoy Dosland, Daniel Dosland and Thor Dosland.