Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Olmstead, Alonzo 1812 - 1859
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 26, 2007, 11:39 pm

Author: B. F. Bowen (1904)

ALONZO OLMSTEAD.

   Alonzo Olmstead, for many years a respected and worthy farmer of Bartholomew
county, making his home in Columbus township, was born on the 15th of March,
1812, in the state of Virginia. He passed away November 15, 1859, and thus
closed an honorable life record. He was a son of Judiah and Mary Olmstead, who
were also natives of Virginia. His father was a farmer by occupation and spent
his entire life in the Old Dominion. The subject of this review, however, came
to Indiana during his early boyhood with his mother and they took up their abode
near the city of Columbus. Throughout his entire business career Alonzo Olmstead
carried on farming and at the time of his death he was the owner of five hundred
and fourteen acres of valuable land. His farm was a monument to his life of
industry and enterprise, for his possessions were acquired entirely through his
own capable efforts. He worked hard, was always diligent and persevering and he
realized the value of industry in the active affairs of life. Year by year he
worked in the fields from the time of early spring planting until after crops
were harvested in the late autumn and as his financial resources were increased
he purchased more land from time to time until his possessions were extensive
and valuable.

  .Mr. Olmstead was united in marriage to Miss Mary Gaines, and they became the
parents of ten children: Martha J., who married Godsen Glendon, a resident
farmer of Columbus township; Almira, who became the wife of Samuel Cox and after
his death married Andrew Ferguson, who is also a farmer of Bartholomew county;
Permelia, the wife of Thomas Cox, who carries on agricultural pursuits in
Columbus township : James Q., who married Emma Riley and had two children,
Rachel and Alonzo, but the latter is now deceased: Mary E., the deceased wife of
Samuel Hodler, whose slcetch is given on another page of this volume; Lizzie,
who is the wife of James Finkle, who is a farmer of Hope; one that died in
infancy; and William, Albert, Elizabeth and George W., all of whom are deceased.

   In his early life Mr. Olmstead voted with the Whig party and endorsed its
principles. Later he joined the Republican party upon its organization and
continued to give to it his earnest support, yet he was never an active worker
in politics. He belonged to the Baptist church and lived an upright, honorable
life. He did a great deal of hard work in clearing the land in early days, but
his career proved that success can thus be gained and that if one persistently
labors he will win prosperity. Mr. Olmstead died November 15, 1859, respected by
all who knew him. Many years have come and gone since he passed away, but he is
remembered by his friends who still survive and he well deserves mention among
the honored pioneer settlers of the county.

   James Olmstead, his son, was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Gilmore and
they had one child, Alonzo, who died at the age of seven years. James Olmstead
yet resides upon the home place and owns there two hundred and fifty-six acres
of rich and arable land, all of which is under cultivation. He gives his
attention to the conduct and operation of the farm, carrying on general farming
with good success. He is a Republican and is interested in politics but not to
the extent of seeking office as a reward for party fealty. He belongs to the
Christian church and, like the others of the family, has led an honorable and
useful life. The Olmstead family has been prominent and influential in
Bartholomew county and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers their
life history.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY
INDIANA

INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA

ILLUSTRATED

1904

B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/olmstead807gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/

File size: 4.4 Kb