Biographies, beginning with O, History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882 Transcribed by Sally Scarff and Marlene Chaney for the USGenWeb Archives. Submitted August 2000 by Roxanne Barth , IAGenWeb Allamakee County Coordinator. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** History of Clayton County Iowa 1882 Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Company, 1882 Reprinted by: Monona Historical Society, Monona, Iowa Reproduction by: Unigraphics, Inc., 1401 North Fares Ave, Evansville, Indiana 47711, 1975 O Monona Twp. -- S. H. Oathout, one of the early settlers of Clayton County, was born in Madison County, N.Y., on the 12th day of November, 1809. His parents, John and Ruth Oathout, nee Baldwin, were married in Otsego County, N.Y. By this union there were eight children, two living--Aaron and S.H. The subject of this memoir was reared on a farm, and received a common school education. On Jan. 1, 1834, he married Eliza Abbott, who was born in Lebanon, Madison County, N.Y., April 20, 1811. Their union has been blessed with eight children--Moses, Orlando, George, Henry, Josephine, Albert, Alpha and Alice. In 1855 he emigrated to Clayton County, and located on a tract of land he had purchased the previous spring of 340 acres of wild prairie land. The following year he built ten miles of fence, driving over a ton of nails. Mr. Oathout has been identified with the county for twenty-seven years, and has seen the wild prairies transformed into beautiful farms and thriving villages. In politics he was an old line Whig, but at the time of the organization of the Republican party joined them, and has affiliated with them since. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1054-1055 Volga Twp. -- Christ Oehrle, wagon manufacturer and general repairer, Elkport, was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, March 28, 1848. His parents, Baltes and Katie (Fritz) Oehrle, were likewise of German nativity, and both now deceased. Christ was educated in the common schools of Wurtemberg, and at the age of twelve began learning the carpenter's trade, and when sixteen was master of the trade. He was then employed in the shops as a mechanic, and in 1868 he emigrated to America and located in Massachusetts. Soon after he came West and settled in Elkport, Iowa. He worked for some time with Conrad Roeder, then established his present business. In 1872 he was married to Mary Baler, a native of Dayton, Ohio. Their union has been blessed with four children-- Willie, George, Charlie and Anna. Mr. Oehrle is a member of I.O.O.F. lodge, and in politics votes for the best men. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1124-1125 Volga Twp. -- John C. Oelkers (deceased) was a native of Hanover, Germany, born in 1799. Their union was blessed with nine children, of whom Herman H., Herman C., John H. and Martha M.C. are living. Mr. Oelkers came to the United States in 1849, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided until 1857, when he came to Clayton County. His wife died here on April 8, 1868, and on May 17, 1873, he followed her. In his death Clayton County lost one of her most prominent and esteemed citizens. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1125 Farmersburg Twp. -- William H. Oelke is a son of William and Elizabeth Oelke, natives of Hanover, Germany, who came to the United States in 1851, and located in Clayton County; they now live near Garnavillo. The subject of this notice was born in Hanover, Jan. 25, 1840; he received a partial education in Germany, an completed it in Clayton County. In 1866 he married Lena, daughter of William and Mary (House) Schmalfeldt, natives of Mecklenburg, Germany; they came to the United States in 1851, and located in Clayton County, Ia., where in 1866, William died. By the above marriage there are seven children -William, born Sept. 5, 1867; Helmuth, Aug. 21, 1869; Arthur, Aug. 29, 1871; Emil, Nov. 29, 1873; Fred, born Nov. 9, 1875, died on the 20th of the same month; Adele, born Apr. 11, 1878; Alfriede, born Oct. 14, 1880. Mr. Oelke and family are members of the Lutheran church. He votes the Democratic ticket. Mr. O. has 300 acres of excellent land on section 17, all finely improved. He makes fine stock a specialty and has some of the finest breeds in the county. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 779-780 Boardman Twp. -- Henry H. Oglesbee, agent for the McCormick Reaper, was born in Greene County, O., Sept. 3, 1840, and is a son of Jonathan and Hannah (Parlett) Oglesbee. He was educated in the schools of his native State and Iowa, where he came with his parents in 1857. He enlisted Oct. 3, 1861, in the Third Missouri Infantry, Company I, where he served twenty months, then enlisted in the Sixteenth Ohio Battalion. He participated in the battles of Jackson, Miss., Port Hudson, was with Grant at Pea Ridge, and was present during the siege and at the surrender of Vicksburg. He was mustered out after three years of faithful service, at St. Louis, Mo. He was married in 1867 to Mary C. Fuller. They have one child--James W. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 665-666 Boardman Twp. -- Jonathan Oglesbee, one of the early settlers of Clayton, was born in Frederick County, West Virginia, May 29, 1804. His parents were Isaiah and Phoebe (Painter) Oglesbee, of Scotch and Irish descent. The subject of this memoir was reared on a farm and received a limited education. When a boy his parents emigrated to Clinton County, Ohio, where they both died. After the death of his parents he went to Greene County, that State, and embarked in the mercantile business, which he prosecuted for eight years. In the meantime became acquainted with Hannah Parlett, whom he married Aug. 16, 1832. Four children blessed this union, viz.: Burthena, Joshua P., Harrison and James S., who died Aug. 6, 1868. Mrs. Oglesbee died in Clayton County, Ia., Aug. 18, 1879. Mr. Oglesbee came to Clayton County in 1857. Has held several local offices of trust in the gift of the people, among them that of Deputy Treasurer and was elected County Recorder, which office he held two years. In politics was an old line Whig, and at the time of the organization of the Republican party joined them and has affliated with them since, his first vote being cast for J.Q. Adams for President. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 665 Monona Twp. -- Dennis O'Leary, one of the pioneer settlers of Clayton County, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in July, 1811, and was a son of Patrick and Mary (Courtney) O'Leary. He left his native country in 1847 for the United States, coming via Quebec to St. Louis, Mo., where he was employed in a wholesale grocery store for six and a half years. In 1845 he married Elizabeth O'Sullivan, who was born in Ireland in 1820. To them have been born nine children, five living--John, Dennis, Daniel, Margaret (now the wife of Daniel Haggerty), and Mary. In 1852, Mr. O'Leary purchased the land where he now resides, and in 1853 moved his family on to it. His first cabin was 12 x 16, made of poplar poles, and crooked at that. They had brought with them some fine furniture from St. Louis, and among it was some high post bedsteads. His cabin ceiling was either too low, or the bedposts too long, and he was forced to cut holes through the floor to make room. Mr. O'Leary owns a fine property and home, and is classed among the well-to-do farmers of that county. He has owned 412 acres of beautiful prairie land, a portion of which he has divided among his children. In politics he is a Democrat, and an ardent worker against all whisky traffic. He has had some experience in traveling over the wild prairie, having twice been lost--once was saved by letting his horse have the rein, and once by his faithful dog, which took him home. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1055 Mendon Twp. -- Samuel Oleson, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Sweden, born Jan. 28, 1831. His parents, Ole Swenson and Mary, nee Peterson, had a family of eleven children, of whom Samuel was the fourth son. He worked on a farm in his native country until twenty-four years of age, when he came to America, landed at Quebec, Canada, and from there went to Chicago, Ill.; thence to McGregor, Ia. He settled at once on his present farm of 100 acres in Mendon Township. He was married in July, 1858, to Martie Lewis, who was born in Sweden, and was a daughter of John Larson and Katharine, nee Hanson. Of eleven children born of their union seven are living, viz.: John, Mary, Peter, Louis, Ida, Christina and Charley. Mr. and Mrs. Oleson are members of the Lutheran church, and in politics he is a Republican, and voted for the amendment. He is classed with Mendon Township's prominent and respected citizens. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 998 Wagner Twp. -- Sarney Oleson was born in Central Norway, April 5, 1823, son of Ole and Clara (Marston) Oleson. He was educated in the schools of Norway, working during the summer at farming. He came alone to America in 1843, living in Rock County, Wis., three years, then in 1846 coming to Iowa and working on a farm in Winneshiek County. Four years after he settled in Farmersburg Township, this county. In 1867 he sold his farm and removed to Wagner Township, purchasing 240 acres on section 18. His farm is well improved, has a handsome and commodious house, and is well supplied with all modern appliances for first- class farming. He was married in 1850, to Miss Isabella Nelson, born July 7, 1827. They have had five children - Annie, Caroline, Ole, Nellie and Beathe, who died in infancy. Mr. Oleson has held several township offices. Both are members of the Lutheran church. He is a Republican. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1138 Monona Twp. -- David Olmsted was born in Fairfax, Franklin County, Vt., May 5, 1822. His father, Timothy Olmsted, was born in Ridgefield, Conn., where his ancestors settled about the year 1740, and where he resided until about 1810, when he removed to Franklin County, Vt., where he settled on a farm in Fairfax. In 1827 David removed with his parents to Fairfield, in the same county, where he resided until he was sixteen years old, when, with the consent of his parents, he started to search for a home in the Great West. His opportunities for obtaining an education were very limited, his being less than the average New England boys on account of severe inflammation of his eyes having prevented his attending the district school for two years, when ten and eleven years old; but by perseverance and the aid of his mother, who was a woman of unusal intelligence and discretion, he succeeded in securing a fair knowledge of the common English branches, which, with his stern integrity and native ability, in great measure compensated for the meager advantages for obtaining an education at school. About the first of May, 1838, he started, with only about $20 in money and a change of clothing, to find a home in the West. He crossed Lake Champlain in a steamer to Port Kent; from thence he traved on foot to Ogdensburg, thence deck passage to Toledo, mostly by steamer; from Toledo to Mineral Point, Wis., on foot, where he arrived on June 15, 1838, where he found employment with J. T. Lathrop, who kept a hotel, where he remained until September, when the hotel was destroyed by fire in the night; he, with several others, narrowly escaped being consumed with it by jumping from an upper story window without any clothing except his night clothes. The following month he went to Grant County, Wis., where he purchased forty acres of land near Burt's Mill, on Grant River, where he resided until November, 1839, and where his brother Page visited him when very sick with fever. After his recovery he and his brother went to Prairie du Chien, where they found work the following winter, and in July, 1840, they fitted themselves with a light tent and as much provisions as they could carry on foot, with a blanket for each, and started on an exploring tramp through the then unsettled portion of Iowa, on the waters of Turkey and Yellow Rivers. After spending about two weeks in looking over the country as far west as Fort Atkinson (which the United States Govermenert had commenced to build), they selected a claim at what has since been called Cold Spring, in section 13, township 95, range 5, now Monona Township, and immediately commenced the erection of a cabin, which they soon completed, and which was the first building erected in Monona Township. At that time there were no white settlers less than six miles east, and none west nearer than California, and none north nearer than Pembina, except some military or trading stations. About a year after making their settlement they sold their claim to John Rowe, and took up separate claims where the village of Monona has since been built. David worked at improving his claim for about three years. In 1844 he was elected to the first Constitutional Convention. In 1846, he, with E. H. Williams and others, raised a company of volunteers and tendered their services for the Mexican War; were mustered into service and sent to Fort Atkinson, to relieve the regular troops, under Captain Sumner, who were ordered to Mexico. David, who had been commissioned Lieutenant, remained at Fort Atkinson with his company in charge of the Winnebago Indians about two years, and in June, 1848, removed the Indians to Long Prairie, Minnesota. After his company was discharged, he remained at Long Prairie, and engaged in trade with the Indians. In August, 1849, he was elected a member of the council, and at the organization of the first Legislature of the Territory of Minnesota, in September, 1849, was elected President of the council. In 1850 he was nominated for a delegate to Congress, but withdrew his name before election day. In 1851 he was married to a daughter of Orlando Stevens, a prominent lawyer of St. Albans, Vt. In 1852 he quit the Indian trade at Long Prairie, and removed with his wife to St. Paul. In June, 1853, he commenced editing the Minnesota Democrat, at St. Paul, but about one year later he removed to Winona, where he had purchased a large interest in the town-site, which proved a very profitable investment. In 1855 he was again nominated as delegate to Congress, and accepted the nomination, but was defeated by H. M. Rice. In the summer of 1856 he was attacked with consumption, from which he never recovered. He spent the winter of 1856-'7 in Cuba, the summer of 1857 in Winona and St. Paul, visited his mother and other relatives in Vermont, became so feeble that he was unable to travel, was confined to his bed for about three years, and died at Fairfax, Vt., Feb. 2, 1861. He left two children, one son and one daughter. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1056-1058 Monona Twp. -- P. P. Olmsted, one of the first settlers of Clayton County, was born in Farifax, Franklin County, Vt., on the 27th day of March 1819, son of Timothy Olmsted and Eunice, nee Page, the former a native of Litchfield, Conn., born May 12, 1767, the latter of New Hampshire, born in 1780. They were married in Franklin County, Vt., in 1818. By this union there were two children--Page P. and David. Mr. Olmsted was previously married to Huldah Smith, by whom he had ten children, one living--Isaac T., now of Fairfield, Franklin County, Vt. Mr. Olmsted died in 1844, his wife in 1865. The subject of this memoir was reared on farm and received a common school education. In 1839 he left his home in Vermont and came West, spending his first winter in Prairie du Chien, and in the spring of 1840 came to Clayton County, and located in Monona Township on what is known as the Cold Spring, in company with his brother David, being the first settlers in the northern portion of the county; at that time there was not a white settler in Minnesota or north and west of this county. They shortly afterward erected a cabin and broke the first prairie in Monona Township. Remaining until the following May they sold their original claim and located where the village of Monona now stands. P. Page built a cabin in the northwest quarter of section 13, his brother David claiming the southeast quarter of section 11, where he fenced and broke ten acres, being the first land fenced in the township. P. Page sold his claim and claimed the northeast quarter of section 13, making some improvements. He afterward traded with his brother for the southeast quarter of section 11, where he erected the first frame house in Monona, it being the only one north of Guttenberg. After making the trade he enterd into partnership with C. B. Guy, building the first blacksmith shop. Mr. Olmsted's house was long used for a hotel, it being the only available place for people to stop. In July, 1852, he moved to his present farm of 580 acres, which he has under excellent improvement and valued at $50 per acre. In December, 1843, he married Hannah Rowe, a daughter of Frederick Rowe, of Moriah, N.Y., and widow of Stanton Cumins, by whom she had two children, one living--Bertha A., wife of Nathan Bowles. She was born near Albany, N.Y., Oct. 27, 1814. By this union there were eight children, six living--Irving D.; Clara, now the wife of Harry S. Curtis; Esther, now Mrs. Melvin Davis; Parma, wife of Henry S. Wilson; Phineas P., and Sarah, wife of Frank Gilbert. Mr. Olmsted has held several local offices of trust, was Supervisor for twenty years, and in 1866 was elected to the State Legislature, where he represented his district with honor. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1055-1056 Cox Creek Township -- Thomas Osborne was a son of Robert and Mary Osborne, nee Temple, natives of England. His father died in 1858, his mother in 1862. Thomas was born in the mother country, on July 4, 1818. He emigrated to Canada in 1845, and engaged in farming there until February, 1865, when he came to Clayton County, and purchased his present farm, in Cox Creek Township. In 1878 he laid out the village of Osborne, and since then has given much of his time and attention to improving the flourishing town which bears his name. He was married in 1851 to Elizabeth, daughter of William and Susan Ribble, nee Barnes, natives of Canada. Nine children have blessed their union, viz.: Jane, born Dec. 12, 1852, is now the wife of Timothy Shafer; Ann, born Oct. 11, 1855, married Emroy Robbins; John, born May 20, 1862; Eliza, Nov. 10, 1863; Thomas, Aug. 16, 1865; William, March 16, 1867; Robert, Apr. 23, 1869; Susan, Feb. 22, 1872, and Elizabeth, Sept. 6, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Osborne were formerly members of the Methodist Episcopal church. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 750 Elk Twp. -- Isaac Otis was born in Ypsilanti, Mich., on Sept. 25, 1833. He came to Clayton county in 1852, settling a farm of 169 cares, on section 10, Elk Township, where he still resides. He was married to Mary E. McNamee on Nov. 29, 1854. She was born in St. Charles, Mo., on Jan. 31, 1854. Four children have blessed this union, viz.: Alice J., married T. T. Smythe, who is running a flour-mill in this township; Clarence H., Herbert G. and Cyrus Grant. Mr. Otis has been extensively engaged in the milling and manufacturing business since coming to Clayton County. He built a saw-mill in 1852, which he operated for twenty years, then sold it, and in 1855 erected a flour and grist mill, selling the former in a few years to Smythe Bros., who conducted it two years, then sold, William H. Otis being the present owner. In 1865 Mr. Isaac Otis built a woolen-mill on section 10, this township, which he has operated since, manufacturing cloth and flannels of a superior quality. He has a splended wholesale and retail trade, principally in the State of Iowa. His annual sales amount to $10,000. He has held the offices of Town Clerk, School Treasurer, and County Supervisor. He has been a member of the Freemason's fraternity since 1854, and also belongs to the A. O. U. W. lodge. Mr. Otis is one of the enterprising and representative citizens of the county. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 763