Oscar was born on April 17, 1894 in South Russia. The Fode family immigrated to the United States in 1898 when Oscar was 4 years old, and settled in Logan County, North Dakota. A young Oscar spent his boyhood days driving cattle and helping his father run a livery stable. After finishing grade school in Gackle, ND, he didn’t have the time or money to continue his formal education. However, realizing the value of a good education, he was able to convince his father to give him the time to take a 12 month business course at the Dakota Business College in Fargo, ND. After finishing his studies at the business college, he went back home to start work at the bank in Gackle.