Tehama-Shasta County CA Archives Biographies.....Olendorf, William D. 1820 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 24, 2007, 12:54 pm Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891) DR. WILLIAM D. OLENDORF, who for many years has been a resident and practicing physician of Red Bluff, came to California in 1849. He was born in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York, June 18, 1820. His father, Peter Olendorf, was a native of that State, born in the Mohawk Valley. Grandfather David Olendorf was a native of Germany, came to America before the Revolution, and participated in the struggle of he colonies for their independence. The Doctor's mother was nee Cornelia Murry. Her father, William Murry, came to this country from England before the Revolution and was a soldier in that war. The subject of this sketch is the only son and the fifth born in a family of ten children, six of whom are living. He was educated at Clinton, New York; read medicine with Dr. F. G. Thrall, of Hartwick; and attended a course of lectures at the Geneva Medical College, graduating at the session of 1842-'43. He was then engaged in the practice of his profession in his native State for five years. In 1849, as already stated at the beginning of this article, Dr. Olendorf came to California and settled in Shasta County, where he resumed practice and remained seven years. In 1858 he located in Red Bluff. Dr. Bradway had preceded him to the town, but Dr. Olendorf is now the living pioneer physician of the city. By devoting close attention to his business he soon established a lucrative practice in Red Bluff and vicinity, which he has continued for thirty-two years, meeting with eminent success and numbering among his patients nearly all the old residents of the place. He has had charge of the county hospital, and has been honored with the office of president of the Medical Society of Tehama County. In 1844 he married Miss Emily A. Harrington, who has since that time shared the joys and sorrows of his life. Their union has been blessed with three daughters, all born in Red Bluff. Georgene is the wife of D. B. Lyon, a prominent business man of Red Bluff, whose history appears in this book. Frankie C. and Nettie reside with their parents. The single daughters are members of the Episcopal Church. The Doctor built an attractive home on the corner of Oak and Jefferson streets, where he is spending the evening of his busy life in quietude and comfort. He has taken an active interest in the growth and development of Red Bluff and from time to time has made investments in real estate here. He is the owner of several dwelling-houses, has a half interest in a book-store, and has ten acres of land, one-half mile from the city, which is devoted to French prunes. Dr. Olendorf is a Mason and has held the office of Master of the lodge. In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. Additional Comments: Extracted from Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California. Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of Prominent Citizens of To-day. "A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendents." – Macauley. CHICAGO THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1891. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/tehama/bios/olendorf791gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 4.0 Kb