BIO: DeWitt C. Olmstead, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Judy Banja & Denise Phillips

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Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 216-217.
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  OLMSTEAD, DE WITT CLINTON, A.M., was born in Nichols, Tioga County, 
N.Y., on May 15, 1826, and died at Nanticoke, Pa., on October 12, 1888.  
His body was laid to rest in Spring Forest Cemetery, in Binghamton, 
N.Y.
  He was converted at the age of sixteen during a revival at Briggs 
Hollow, on the Nichols charge.  He was licensed to exhort on May 15, 
1844, and in June, 1845, he received local preacher's license.  In 1848 
he joined the Oneida Conference, and became a member of Wyoming 
Conference at its organization.
  His early advantages were limited, and he was early in life thrown 
upon his own resources.  He arranged with his father for his time, took 
possession of an unused log house, which stood near his father's home, 
and began to study, having the ministry in view.  Scoffs and jeers did 
not turn him aside from his cherished purpose, and his perseverance 
soon began to show itself in results, as growing interest was felt in 
his sermons and prayers.
  His brother, John Wesley Olmstead, D.D., occupied a prominent 
position among New England Baptists, being editor of The Watchman forty 
years.  Nearly half a century he occupied a conspicuous place in the 
Baptist denomination.
  He was honored by his brethren of the Conference.  Twice he 
represented them in General Conference, first in 1872, and again in 
1888.  He was one of the trustees of the Conference, and secretary of 
the board of trustees at the time of his death.  In 1865 Lafayette 
College complimented him with the honorary degree of A.M.
  He was twice married - first to Miss Emma E. Bailey, of Le Raysville, 
Pa., of whom he was bereaved after twenty years of married life; and 
second to Miss Emma J. Lane, of Montrose, who was preceptress of the 
Claverack Seminary on the Hudson at the time of marriage.  Two children 
were born to him by the first wife, a daughter and son.  The son, Rev. 
E. B. Olmstead, D.D., now of the Genesee Conference, began his ministry 
in the Wyoming Conference and was its efficient secretary from 1892-
1896.
  His pastoral record is as follows:  1847, Geneva Mission; 1848, Le 
Raysville; 1849-50, Brooklyn, Pa.; 1851, Tunkhannock; 1852-53, Canaan; 
1854, Honesdale; 1855-56, Candor; 1857-58, Danby; 1859, Caroline and 
Speedsville; 1860, Windsor; 1861-62, Court Street, Binghamton; 1863, 
Abington; 1864, Union, N.Y.; 1865-66, Windsor; 1867-70, Presiding Elder 
on Wyalusing District; 1871-74, Presiding Elder on Honesdale District; 
1875-76, Waverly, N.Y.; 1877-78, Central Church, Wilkes-Barre; 1879-81, 
Milford; 1882-84, Oneonta; 1885-86, Pittston; 1887-88, Nanticoke.