Person Page - 217

     John Olds was born in 1860 at Oregon.¹ He was the son of Marquis de Lafayette Olds and Lydia G Aldrich.¹

     John Olds was the son of Andrew Jackson Olds and Annie Eliza Parker.¹ John Olds died age 5 yrs.¹

     John Olds was born c 1917 at North Dakota.¹ He was the son of Adelbert Hezekiah Olds and Matilda A. Hartley.¹

     John A. Olds was born c 1859 at New Jersey.¹ He was the son of John Spencer Olds and Mary (?).¹

     John Alfred Olds was born on 27 Jun 1904.¹ He was the son of Winter Jesse Olds and Evangeline Van Meurs.¹ John Alfred Olds married Marian (?) c 1926.²
     John Alfred Olds and Marian (?) appeared on the census of 18 Apr 1930 at Union City, Erie County, Pennsylvania, as follows:
Olds, Alfred J., 25, b. Pa, father b. Minn, mother b. NY
, Marion[sic], wife, 25, b. Pa, parents b. Pa
, Bruce, son, 3.
[Alfred and Marian were first married at age 21]²

     John B. Olds was born on 13 Jul 1842.¹ He was the son of Reuben Olds and Polly Brown.¹ John B. Olds married Marcia A. Brumen on 9 Jan 1861 at Ludlow, Hampden County, Massachusetts.² John B. Olds died on 3 Feb 1867 at age 24.^1,3

     John Bissell Olds married Hannah Brown.¹ John Bissell Olds was born in 1796 at Connecticut.^1,2 He was the son of Joseph Olds and Hannah Bissell.¹ John Bissell Olds died on 18 Jun 1873 at Hartford, Van Buren County, Michigan,^1,3 and was buried at Pioneer Cemetery, Hartford, Michigan.⁴
     "John B. Olds came from New York about 1838 and settled on the S. W. quarter of Section 29 (now know[N] as the Charles Rush farm). Mr. Olds was a veteran of the War of 1812. He was the grandfather of Clarence Olds. He was buried in the West Hartford Cemetery."⁵
John Bissell Olds and Hannah Olds appeared on the census of 19 Sep 1850 at Town of Hartford, Van Buren County, Michigan, as follows:

John Bissell Olds appeared on the census of 11 Jul 1860 at Hartford Township, Van Buren County, Michigan, as follows:
     902/892 John B. Olds, 63, farmer, b. Conn.
      Hannah " , 56, b. N. Y.
      Albert " , 19, b. N.Y.
      Mary M. " , 22, b. N. Y.
      Hezekiah " , 52, farner, b. N. Y.⁷
John Bissell Olds appeared on the census of 23 Aug 1870 at Hartford, Van Buren County, Michigan, as follows:
     288/288 Olds, John B., 74, farmer, b. Conn.
      , Helen, 66, keeping house, b. N. Y.
[The next family is that of Andrew J. Olds.]⁸

     John Calvin Olds was born c 1928 at Kansas.¹ He was the son of Clifford B. Olds and Mary E. (?).^1,2

     John Cullen Olds was born on 8 Jul 1882 at Wyanet, Bureau County, Illinois.^2,3 He was the son of John Hixon Olds and Anna Belle Krimmel. John Cullen Olds married Dorothy Guthrie on 21 Jun 1914 at Muscatine, Iowa.^3,4 John Cullen Olds died on 20 Oct 1936 at Wyanet, Bureau County, Illinois, at age 54^5,6,3 and was buried on 22 Oct 1936 at Forest Hill Cemetery, Wyanet, Bureau County, Illinois.^7,2
     "John Olds, Ed Batten and Gail Germain left this week for Joliet where they expect to go to work on a telephone line. Then from there they will go to El Paso. Tex., to assist in running a line from there to Rock Island."⁸ He registered with the World War I Selective Service System on 12 Sep 1918. He described himself as living at 199 Earl Avenue, Muscatine, Iowa, age 36, born 8 July 1889, and his occupation was Retail Clerk for Dethoff Hardware Company. He was medium in height, slender in build, with blue eyes and had light hair. His closest relative was Dorothy C[sic]. Olds, also of 199 Earl Avenue.⁹ His death certificate, with informant Dorothy Olds, states that we was born 8 July 1882 in Wyanet and died 20 Oct. 1936 in Wyanet, IL, at age 54 years, 2 months, 12 days. He was the son of John H. Olds, b. Princeton, IL, and Anna B. Krimmel, b. PA. He had been a hardware clerk for 34 years and died of cerebral hemorrage due to essential hypertension after having chronic hypertension for several years.²

     His obituary states:
     “Community Pays Final Tribute to Late John C. Olds
“Methodist Church is scene of impressive service last Thursday P. M.
“On Thursday afternoon the Methodist Church was crowded with relatives and friends of the late John C. Olds. Beautiful music was provided by Mrs. Lee Oloffson and Robert Watson. A fine and appropriate discourse was given by Rev. Brett. At the close of [which?] the impressive ritual for the dead was read by the Masonic brethren of the deceased, who attended the service in a body. The floral offerings in great beauty and profusion were in further evidence of the great love and esteem in which our friend was held by all. A large cortege followed his mortal remains to his last resting place in Forest Hill Cemetery.
“It was a beautiful October day, such as John always loved. We left him there amid a scene of autumnal splendor, tinged not a little with the melancholy that marks the falling year, and the passing of a vivid life.
“Among those from out of town who attended the services were:
“Mrs. Anna Olds, Mr. and Mrs. Milford Olds and son, Charles M., Mr. and Mrs. Austin Olds, all of Chicago, Mr. Robert Olds, of Newark, Ohio, Mr. Justin Olds, of Marseilles, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Guthrie, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa[,] Mrs. John Dorman and son, Clayton, of Viola, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Holmes, Mr. and Mrs. Merle Kenney, of Tiskilwa, Miss Amy Robinson, of Ottawa, and other relatives and friends from Buda, Providence, Princeton, and Bloomington.
_______
“John C. Olds was born in Wyanet on July, [no day given] 1882, and died at his home in Wyanet on October 20, 1936, age 54 years.
“With the exception of about 10 years in Muscatine, Iowa, he has spent his entire life in this community. In June, 1914, he was married to Dorothy Guthrie, at Muscatine. To them were born two daughters, Ardeth, now Mrs. Clyde Campbell, and Elizabeth, now in high school.
“He also leaves to mourn his untimely passing, his mother, Mrs. Anna B. Olds; three sisters, Mrs. Myra Dahl, of Wyanet, Mrs. Blanche Whitney, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Mrs. Lucy Webster, of Portland, Oregon. He was preceded in death by his father, three brothers and a sister.
“For many years he has been an active member of the Masonic lodge in which he has served as Master, and in other useful and honorable capacities.
“Mr. Olds’s short life was crowded with manifold activities. As a skilled artisan he could and did turn off a surprising amount of work. He was essentially an out-of-door man. He loved the woods and waters, flowers and birds. He took time from his sleep, not from his work, to indulge his soul on the beauties and curiosities of the outdoor world.
“As a man among men, John Olds’ most emphatic quality was his neighborliness. His time, skill, and friendly concern were always at the command of those whose lives touched his. Into homes where there was sickness the brought hope and strength; and he carried pall for scores of those who have passed on. This writer does not know what forms his beliefs may have taken, but does know that in his daily life he put into practice the highest ideals known among men.
“As a son, brother, husband, father and citizen no finer example of all-around manhood has ever graced this community.”.¹⁰

     John G. Olds was born c 1805.² He was the son of Luke Olds and Hulda Gouldsbury.¹ John G. Olds was buried at Elmwood Cemetery, Barre, Washington County, Vermont.³ He died on 12 Jul 1864 at Barre, Vermont.²

     John Gaunt Olds was born on 20 Nov 1921.¹ He was the son of Joseph Olds and Jessie B. Gaunt.¹
     On 9 July 1960 in Maricopa County, Arizona, when John G. Olds and Phyllis B. Suarez applied for a marriage license, he was 38 years old, born 20 Nov 1921, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, had been granted a divorce in Ohio in 1958 and she was 36 years old, born 21 Sep 1923, a resident of Columbus, Ohio, and had been granted a divorce in Florida in 1952.² When John G. Olds and Mamie L. Sparks, on 1 Sep 1966 in Maricopa County, Arizona, applied for a license to marry, he was a resident of 617 North Third Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona, and of legal age. She was a resdent of 620 North Second Avenue and also of legal age. There is a line for each of them that says that he/she had been granted a divorce in the state of Arizona but those lines have been marked out.³

     John Henry Olds was born on 13 Jul 1838.¹ He was the son of Otia Olds and Sarah M. Chamberlain.¹
     He was unmarried and a carpenter in Aurora, New York.¹

     John Hixon Olds was born on 21 May 1847 at Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois.^1,2 He was the son of Justin Hixon Olds and Charity Louisa Bryant. John Hixon Olds married Anna Belle Krimmel, daughter of Samuel Krimmel and Hester Dunn, on 15 Apr 1869 at Bureau County, Illinois.¹ John Hixon Olds died on 8 Jul 1901 at Wyanet, Bureau County, Illinois, at age 54^3,2 and was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, Wyanet, Bureau County, Illinois.⁴
     "John H. Olds, a leading business man and prominent hardware merchant of Wyanet, is a native of Bureau county, born at Princeton, May 21, 1847. His father, Justin H. Olds, was born in Massachusetts September 6, 1806 and was there reared, becoming a resident of Bureau county, Illinois in 1834. He was here married on the 15th of June, 1837, the lady of his choice being Miss Louisa C. Bryant, daughter of Peter Bryant, and their marriage was the first performed after the organization of the county, her brother John H. Bryant, officiating. They located at Lamoille, where they remained for two years and then removed to Princeton, where the father engaged in the mercantile business and was also the editor of the Evening Post, a county paper. He was one of the prominent early setters and served in several official positions, among which was that of circuit clerk. A strong abolitionist, he took an active part in conducting the underground railroad, while religiously he was a sincere and faithful member of the Congregational church. He died at the ripe old age of seventy-two years, and his wife was sixty-two years when called from this life. In their family were five children, two sons and three daughters, all born at Princeton: Sarah S., now Mrs. Newell Mathews, of Los Angeles, California; Julia L., who married James Barkman, of Baltimore, Maryland, now deceased; Bryant O., deceased, our subject; and Lucy W., also deceased.
"Our subject was the fourth in order of birth and remained a resident of Princeton until fifteen years of age, when he accompanied the family to Peoria, the father having been appointed United States inspector of distilleries there, which position he held for seventeen years. At the age of eighteen John H. graduated at the public schools of Peoria, after which he took a business course at Bryant & Stratton Commercial College of that city. It was in 1867 that he came to Wyanet, and for ten years engaged in farming on section 33. He then removed to the village where he has since carried on the hardware business with good success, and it is one of the oldest established concerns of the place.
"On the 15th of April, 1870, Mr. Olds led to the marriage altar Miss Annabel Cremmel, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Bureau county with her father, Samuel Cremmel, when a child, in 1856. Eight children grace this union, Bryant, who married Anna Smith, daughter of William Smith; Howard, Edna, wife of Elmer Sapp, of the bank of Wyanet; Blanche, Guy M., Lucy W., John C., and Myra D.
"Mr. Olds has been called upon to fill several positions of honor and trust in the county, the duties of which he has always discharged in prompt and able manner, serving as collector and treasurer of this township. In 1896 he was elected to the office of supervisor, which position he is now filling. In politics Mr. Olds is a democrat. Socially he affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, Wyanet lodge, No. 231, F. & A. M; Belmont camp, No. 25, M. W. A., and the Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 429, all of Wyanet. He is a valued and influential citizen of the community and one who is held in the highest regard by all."⁵
     On 25 Nov 1772[sic - 1872], William Cullen Bryant gave (sold for $1) 160 acres to John H. Olds. This was the SE 1/4 S33 T16N R8 in Bureau County which Bryant had purchased from H. A. Starkweather for $4000 on 7 Oct 1860. [However, the same legal description was used in this article for a gift to Julia Louisa Olds.]⁶
     John Hixon Olds gave a Bible to his wife and inscribed it: "From John H. Olds/ To his beloved Wife/ Anna Bell Olds/ Wyanet January 1st 1873." The marriages, births and deaths of the family are recorded in it, beginning with herself and her husband and up to the time of her own death.

The Bible is now falling apart and the family record pages have come loose. The record shows:
     Dissolution of Partnership.
To Whom It May Concern:
The partnership heretoforo existing between John H. Olds and Jacob James, at Wyanet, Ill., has this day been discontinued by mutual consent. Mr. Olds assumes the firms liabilities and will continue the business as heretofore. All parties indebted to the firm will settle with him.
JOHN OLDS
JACOB JAMES.
Dec. 31, 1892.⁷
     "John Olds is moving his family into his new house in the south part of town."
     "Mr and Mrs John Olds arrived home Tuesday from the reunion at Cummington, Mass., held on the anniversary of the birth of William Cullen Bryant. They report a good time."⁸
     In 1895, Bryant Olds was on the Democratic ballot of Wyanet Township, running for the position of Collector. His father, John H. Olds, was on the same ballot, running for a three-year term for Trustee of Schools.⁹
     From a lengthy description of the 1897 reunion of the Bryant Family held at the house of John Howard Bryant we learn that several members of the Olds family were in attendance, viz.: J. H. Olds and wife, Wyanet; Bryant Olds and wife, Chicago; Guy Olds, Wyanet; John Olds; Blanche and Myra Olds, Wyanet; Howard Olds and wife; Miss Lucy Olds.¹⁰
     Burglars entered the residence of John Olds, Wyanet, last Monday morning. The squeaking of a door woke Mrs. Olds, whose calls frightened them away. They took her gosamer[sic] and Mr. Olds' shirt studs and cuff buttons.¹¹
     The following note is from a newspaper letter of political comment signed by "JAMES". It makes some of the same points made later in Olds' obituaries.
     This promotional piece is from an article introducing the Democratic candidates for the upcoming election. After arguing that the new Illinois law had given the county treasurer a position of absolute authority unrivaled in other county positions, it continues with a declaration of Olds' outstanding qualification for the trust required in such a position.
" There are probably few men in this county more respected in their home community by the people in daily association with them and who know their disposition and peculiarities, their habits of thought and action—those individualisms peculiar to all men—-and their ability, than is John H. Olds, of Wyanet, democratic nominee for county treasurer.
"In his life and character his neighbors say he is an ideal citizen of the American republic. Quiet, unostentatious, placid and candid, tolerant and forbearing and trying all the time to do unto the other fellow as if he were the other fellow himself. This, Wyanet people say, is Merchant John H. Olds who has lived near by or among them for thirty-one years—time enough for his neighbors to know him as he is.
"He was born on Main street, Princeton, in ye olden time—when it was mostly vacant land from Dr. Winters’ drug store to Foster’s book store, and the residence in which Mr. Olds was born stood on or near the spot now occupied by Asche & Brokaw’s shoe store. There he appeared in the world May 21, 1847. At the age of fifteen he went with his father and family to Peoria where his father, an old-time abolitionist, had been appointed inspector of distilleries. At the age of eighteen John graduated from the public schools of Peoria and entered Bryant and Stratton’s commercial college in the same city. In 1867 he settled on a farm near Wyanet, where he farmed for ten years and then moved to Wyanet where he purchased the hardware store of Millard, Wood & Co., and is conducting the business to-day.
"At different times and one after the other Mr. Olds has filled various township offices, and in April, 1897, he was elected supervisor of Wyanet township, which office he now holds."¹³
John Hixon Olds appeared on the census of 2 Jun 1900 at Wyanet village, Bureau County, Illinois, as follows:
Olds, John H., head, b. May 1847, age 53, m. 31 years, b. Ill., parents b. Massachusetts
, Anna B., wife, b. Oct 1850, age 49, m. 31 years, had 9 children, 8 living, b. Penn., parents b. Penn.
, Guy M., son, b. Sep 1877, age 22
, Lucy W., dau., b. Oct 18??, age 19
, John C., son, b. July 1882, age 17
, Myra D., dau, b. Aug 1884, 1 age 15.¹⁴
     John Olds, of Wyanet, who has been very low with what is apparently Bright's disease, and has been constantly sinking under medical treatment, is reported to be improving, after beginning the use of some far-famed mineral water from Blasburg, Miss.¹⁵
     Mrs. Mathews, of Los Angeles, California, a sister of John H. Olds, arrived here last Friday morning and will spend some time with her brother, who has been in poor health all winter. We understand that at this writing he is feeling a little better. Right here we want to tell you how mean the Burlington railroad company is. The above named lady bought a through ticket to Wyanet and the company would not stop their train here for her, but carried her to Princeton, and Mr
Olds had to drive over in the cold after her early in the morning. On former occasions the same train has stopped here. Who is to blame, the conductor or the company?¹⁶
     John Hixon Olds left a will on 1 Jun 1901.
     "Last Will and Testament of John H. Olds, Deceased
"Know all men by these presents: That I, John H. Olds of the Town of Wyanet in the County of Bureau, in the State of Illinois, of the age of fifty four years, being of sound mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.
"ITEM FIRST:- I hereby direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be first paid by my Executrix and Executor, (hereinafter named) as soon after my decease as they may deem best.
"ITEM SECOND:- I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Anna B. Olds, all my estate, real, personal and mixed, of every kind and description which I own and am possessed of at the time of my death, for her sole and separate use and benefit and control for and during her natural life; and after the death of my said wife I direct that each of my children, to wit: Bryant Olds (the share of Bryant Olds subject to an indebtedness due on a certain note executed by said Bryant Olds to Thomas Hollaway of the City of Princeton in said State of Illinois, and which note I jointly signed with my son Bryant Olds hereinbefore named), Howard Olds, Edna Sapp formerly Edna Olds, Blanche Whitney formerly Blanche Olds, Guy M. Olds, Lucy W. Olds, John C. Olds and Myra D. Olds, shall each equally share, have, hold and possess such estate hereinabove in this Item, to wit: Item Second, remaining at the time of the death of my said wife owned and possessed by her. To have and to hold the same and to their heirs and assigns forever.
"ITEM THIRD:- I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife Anna B. Olds Executrix and my son in law Elmer Sapp executor, of this my Last Will and Testament, and they nor either of them be required to give bond for the faithful performance of their duties as such Executor and Executrix.
"IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereto subscribed my name and affixed my seal at said Town of Wyanet this first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and one.
John H. Olds (SEAL)

"The above instrument consisting of one sheet, was at the date thereof, signed, sealed, published and declared by the said John H. Olds as and for his last will and testament, in presence of us, who, at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
The words "real, personal and mixed" were interlined between the eleventh and twelfth lines of the first page before the signing and sealing of this Last Will and Testament.
                    "T. Clark Hays (SEAL)
                    "Ben Smith (SEAL)
                    "Robt. Montgomery (SEAL)

"State of Illinois, Bureau County County Court, Aug. Term, 1901
      "The foregoing instrument of writing was duly admitted to probate as and for the Last Will and Testament of the within named John H. Olds, deceased, this 5 day of Aug. A. D. 1901, in the County Court of said Bureau County.
               "ATTEST: Wm. Wilson, Clerk"
Attached to this will is a form from James Fletcher, Clerk of County Court, dated 2nd Nov 1937, certifying it to be a true copy.¹⁷
     His obituary states:
     "JOHN H. OLDS DEAD
"Passed Away at His Home after a Prolonged Illness.
"John Hixon Olds, an honored citizen and one of the best known business men of Bureau county, died of Bright's disease at his home Monday afternoon, July 8th, at 12:40 o'clock at the age of fifty-four years, one month and seventeen days. All the immediate members of his family were at his bedside at the time of his death. The disease which finally terminated in his death was of long standing. For the past year and a half he battled as heroically as man could battle to prolong his days. The best local physicians exhausted their remedies, and consultation was had with the most noted physicians in Chicago. Every remedy in which he felt any faith was tried; and while at times there seemed slight improvement in his condition, the effect was but temporary. He was confined to his bed five weeks previous to his death.
"The funeral took place from the home at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon, and in spite of the excessively hot weather, was very largely attended, the business houses closing their doors during the hours of the funeral as a mark of respect. Many were present from Princeton and from a distance there were James S. Barkman of Baltimore, Jerry Olds of Ottawa, and Mrs. M. H. Olds of Aurora, Illinois. The following handsome floral pieces were contributed: a pillow of roses from his children on which was the inscription "Father," the Masonic square and compass in floral design from the Masons, a wreath from his grandchildren, a floral piece from the Mystic Workers and a bunch of roses from Mr. Frank Weatherbee of Galesburg. The sermon was preached by Rev. John Hitchcock, who was formerly pastor of the Methodist church of this place. He took as the subject of his remarks verses 7 and 8, Chapter 14 of Paul's Epistle to the Romans: 'For none of us liveth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.' He paid a very touching tribute to the memory of the deceased, dwelling especially upon his sincerity and honesty of purpose, and his absolute integrity in all his business and friendly relations. Several very appropriate selections were sung by Simon's quartet of Princeton. At Forest Hill cemetery, where his remains were laid to rest, the exercises were in charge of the Masonic Lodge No. 231, of this place, of which he was a member.
               "EARLY LIFE
"Mr. Olds was born at Princeton, Illinois, May 21, 1847. His father was Justin H. Olds, who came from Massachusetts in 1835, and settled in this county. His mother was Louisa C. Bryant, daughter of Peter Bryant and sister of the late William Cullen Bryant. He was fourth in order of five children all of whom are dead except one sister, Mrs. Newel Mathews, now residing at Los Angeles, California, and who, it will be remembered, visited him at this place last winter. In 1862, he moved with his parents to Peoria, Illinois, where he was graduated from the public schools, afterwards taking a course at Bryan & Stratton's commercial college. In 1867 he came to Wyanet and engaged in farming for ten years south of town, thence removing to the village, where his successful career as a businessman is well known.
"April 15, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Annabel Krimmel. Of this union were born Bryant, Howard, Edna, Blanche, Guy M., Lucy W., John C., and Myra D., all of whom are living and now reside at this place.
                    "CHARACTER
"Mr. Olds was too well and favorably known for any word from us to add to the esteem in which he was held and with which he will be remembered by his fellow townsmen. His uprightness in business, his hospitality and his many acts of benevolence are matters of common knowledge. Nature endowed him with a kind and generous disposition, a keen mind and a sense for the finer things of life. No sordid motive ever influenced his public or private acts.
"He trusted his fellowmen and his fellowmen trusted him; and because of this mutuality of feeling he was often called upon to fill positions of public trust, and he invariably discharged the duties of his office with credit to himself and honor to the constituents whom he represented.
"Exemplary as was his public life, those unfamiliar with his home life but half know the man. His home life was after the ideal. He was a devoted and loving husband, a kind and indulgent father; and none but the members of his family will ever know the tender ties of affection that have been severed by his death.
"In his death, not only his family but the community suffers an irreparable loss."¹
     Another obituary for John states:
     
"John H.Olds, one of the the[sic] prominent and influential business men of Wyanet, and for a number of years a member from that township of the Board of Supervisors, died Monday afternoon about 1 o'clock at his home in Wyanet after a protracted illness.
"For a number of years Mr. Olds had been a sufferer from ill-health, which gradually took on a more serious turn until three weeks ago, when it was found necessary to have a trained nurse from Chicago in attendance. During the last few days of his illness, it was a comfort to have all of his children, now living, at his bedside.
"The funeral services were held yesterday afternoon from the home, the Masonic order and Rev. John Hitchcock, of Durand, a former pastor of the Wyanet M. E. church, officiating. The interment was in Forest Hill cemetery at Wyanet.

"Mr. Olds was born in Princeton, May 21, 1847. His father, Justin H. Olds, was born in Massachusetts September 6, 1806, and was there reared, becoming a resident of Bureau county, Ill., in 1834. He was here married June 15, 1837, to Miss Louisa C. Bryant, daughter of Peter Bryant, and their marriage was the first performed after the organization of the county, her brother, John Howard Bryant, officiating. They located at LaMoille, where, they remained two years, and then removed to Princeton, where the father engaged in the mercantile business and was also editor of the Evening Post, a county paper. He was one of the prominent early settlers and served in several offices and served in several official positions, among which was that of circuit clerk, A strong abolitionist, he took part in conducting the underground railroad, while religiously he was a sincere and faithful member of the Congregational church. He died at the ripe old age of seventy-two years, and his wife was sixty-two when called from this life. In theri family were five children, two sons and three daughters, all born at Princeton: Sarah S., now Mrs. Newell Mathews, of Los Angeles, California; Julia L., who married James S. Barkman of Baltimore, Maryland, now deceased; Bryant O., deceased, John H; and Lucy W., also deceased.

"John H. was the fourth in the order of birth, and remained a resident of Princeton until fifteen years of age, when he accompanied the family to Peoria, the father having been appointed United States inspector of distilleries there, which position he held for seventeen years. At the age of eighteen John H. graduated at the public high schools of Peoria, after which he took a business course at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College of that city. In 1867, he went to Wyanet and for ten years engaged in farming on section 33. He thenremoved to the village, where he carried on the hardware business with good success.
"On April 15, 1870, Mr. Olds married Miss Annabel Cremmel, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Bureau county with her father, Samuel Cremmel, when a child in 1856. Eight children were born to this union, Bryant, who married Anna Smith, daughter of William Smith; Howard; Edna, wife of Elmer Sapp, of the bank of Wyanet; Blanche, who is Mrs. W.[sic] G. Whitney; Guy M., Lucy W., John C., and Myra D.

"Mr. Olds was often called upon to fill positions of honor and trust in the county, the duties of which he always discharged in a prompt and able manner, serving as collector and treasurer of his township. In 18967 he was elected to office of supervisor.
"In politics Mr. Olds was a democrat. Socially he affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, Wyanet lodge, No, 231, F. & A. M., which organization had charge of the funeral; also he belonged to Belmont camp, No. 25, M. W. A., and the Knights of Pythias No. 429 all of Wyanet. He was a valued and influential citizen of the community, and one who was held in the highest regard by all."¹⁸
     Another obituary for John states:
     John Howard [sic - Hixon] Olds.
It is with a feeling of profound sorrow the that [sic - that the] writer records the passing of John H. Olds, of Wyanet, from this life to the life beyond.
John Howard Olds was born in Princeton May 21, 1847, and departed this life Monday of this week at 12 o’clock. All that loving hands and medical skill could do had been done to avert the impending blow, but to no avail.
Something like a year and a half ago he began to feel miserable and was gradually losing health and strength. Seeking eminent medical skill he went to Chicago in company with his son in law, Elmer E. Sapp, of Wyanet, and obtained an audience with a specialist, who frankly told him he had Bright's disease of the kidneys in the worst form and could not live more than eighteen months.
Notwithstanding this discouraging report Mr. Olds resolutely faced his fate, and as the time allotted passed by he sought every available way to stem the tide that was carrying him down death's dark stream; but. alas! the specialist was right and as the time expired his end came as predicted.
Mr. Olds' mother was a sister of the immortal William Cullen Brvant and of our own John Howard Bryant, the sage of Princeton, and he traced his lineage in

an unbroken line back to Priscilla Mullen and John Alden, of colonial times, whose beautiful love story Longfellow has immortalized in his "Courting of Miles Standish.”
His father, Justin H. Olds was also a man of more than common ability and was a pioneer in tbe history of Bureau county; in, fact, his marriage to his excellent wife was the first consummated in the county after it was organized.
Mr. Olds graduated from the high school at Peoria when he was eighteen years old and afterward took a commercial course, also at Peoria.
In 1867 he went to Wyanet, or south of Wyanet, where he engaged in farming, and three years afterward be was united in marriage to Miss Aunabel Cremmel, a native of Pennsylvania. Eight children were the fruit of this union, all of whom survive him. They are Bryant, who married Anna Smith, of Wyanet township; Howard, the second son; Edna, who married Elmer E. Sapp; Blanche, the wife of Postmaster Whitney, at Wyanet; Guy M., a young attorney at Wyanet, John C., Lucy W. and Myra D, the four youngest being at home.
It is of his character as a man and as a citizen that Mr. Olds most justly deserves praise. Coming to Wyanet scarcely more than twenty years ago, practically without capital and with a small family about him, he began clerking for Hays & Vaughan, hardware and implement dealers, at the modest salary of $10 per week. He rose steadily, until at the day of his death he was sole proprietor of a fine hardware store and also owner of the fine store building occupied by Harry Cate. He also owned a fine farm south of town, and a splendid home in the corporation. All this time while he was building up a fine business he was lliberal to all with whom he came in contact, and nothing was too good for bis family. If any project was on foot lookiug toward public improvement, or anyone in distress needed assistance, John Olds was sure to be first and foremost in the movement. His success can be attributed to his unvarying kindness and courtesy to all, and the humblest and poorest individual was treated in the same manner as the most influential. No one was turned away, even if their credit was doubtful, and of all the thousands that purchased goods on time he never sued but one, and very few ever failed to pay him.
So terminates the earthly career of a man eminently just to all; good to bis family aud friends and deservedly popular with all, so much so that he was several times elected supervisor of his town, altho his politics were not of the popular sort and he also served in other public capacities and always with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all. Kind friend, and good and useful citizen, hail and farewell.
The funeral was held Wednesday at the residence and was largely attended. The sermon was preached by Rev. John Hitchcock, of Kaneville, a former Methodist pastor at Wyanet, and the burial was in charge of tbe Masonic fraternity.¹⁹
     Another obituary for John states: Death has again entered our community, this time claiming one of our highly respected citizens, John H. Olds, in the 55th year of his age, who died Monday at 12:35, after a lingering
illness. He leaves a wife, four sons and four daughters to mourn their loss. The funeral was from the house at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, Rev. John Hitchcock, officiating. The remains were laid to rest in Forest Hill cemetery. We extend the sympathy of the entire community to the bereaved family. The Masonic lodge, of which he was a member, had charge of the funeral services.²⁰
     In a Bryant Association Memorial to John Howard Bryant and John Hixon Olds, dated June 26, 1902, Lester R. Bryant wrote:
"Since our last meeting two of our honored members have been laid to rest. One, the Patriarch of the Family, the last of the second generation, full of years and honors, his life's work done, it seemed his time to go. The other in the prime of his life, successful in business affairs, possessing a pleasant home and the comforts of life and surrounded by a loving family, it seemed as though he was just ready to fully enjoy life when stricken. Who of us seeing him at any of the earlier reunions, in his manly vigor, would have thought he would be one of the first to go.
"John Hixon Olds was born in Princeton, Ill., May 21st, 1847 and died in Wyanet, Ill., July 8th 1901."
"His life and character it is not necessary for me to eulogize. You will recall his fine physique, his hearty cordial manner and the respect and good will which he commanded amongst his fellow men. Socially and in business life he made friends wherever he went.
"He was a loyal and enthusiastic member of the Bryant Association and his presence, his counsel and his assistance we already miss.
"Our friend has gone from our midst: words cannot express our loss, but I have been requested to submit the following formal, though feeble, expression of our sentiments.
"WHEREAS:-- Since the last meeting of this Association, our friend and fellow member, John Hixon Olds, has passed on to the higher life
"RESOLVED:-- That realizing in his death the Bryant Association has sustained a loss that cannot be made good, in that he was one of its most earnest, active and valuable members, we desire to place on record some token of our appreciation of his services to the association and his high character as a man.
"Deeply interested in the association and helpful to its organization, his interest did not fall as the years went by, not even when his health began to fail and he lay on his sickbed in his last illness, and to his efforts is due much of the success which it has attained. He possessed in a large measure, and showed when occasion required, an unselfish and unbiased solicitude for the welfare of this association, a devotion to its object -- namely the 'keeping in reverent and sacred memory the worth and work of those who have passed away, and the promotion of social intercourse,' which those of us who remain would do well to imitate, as without this spirit the association cannot prosper, therefore,
"RESOLVED:-- That we mourn the loss of a personal friend, of a valued member of the association and a good citizen, and that a copy of this resolution and a suitable memorial be spread on our records and a copy be sent to his family with assurance of our deepest sympathy, our feeling of sorrow and irreparable loss.
"After some appropriate remarks the resolutions were adopted by a rising vote."²¹

     John James Olds was born on 1 Jul 1872.¹ He was the son of James Phinehas Olds and Lydia H. Martin.¹ John James Olds died on 8 Jun 1883 at age 10.¹

     John Lee Olds was born on 27 Sep 1914 at Angeles, Texas.^2,3 He was the son of Edgar Orville Olds and Lillian Gaither.¹ John Lee Olds died on 2 Jul 2004 at age 89.⁴ He was buried at Wabash (Orio) Cemetery, Orio, Wabash County, Illinois.⁵

     John Leroy Olds was born in Feb 1892.¹ He was the son of Alexander Hamilton Olds and Sarah C. Layton.² John Leroy Olds died on 29 Apr 1892.³ He was buried at Highland Cemetery, Junction City, Geary County, Kansas.⁴

     John McKee Olds was born on 28 Mar 1906.¹ He was the son of Alfred Whipple Olds and Mary McKee.¹ John McKee Olds married (1) Elizabeth Taylor Arms on 2 Sep 1932 at New Castle, Pennsylvania.^2,3,4 John McKee Olds died on 6 Sep 1985 at age 79.⁵
     There is a biography of Dr. John McKee Olds and, although it is not strong on genealogy, I have collected several snippets from it:
" He was about six feet, thin and wiry with small bones and elegant hands, handsome but with a congenitally dour visage. Betty was also tall and thin with a pretty, innocent, but intelligent face." ... "But in 1943 she [Betty, Mrs. John M. Olds] suffered an attack of erysipelas, a streptococcal infection which (as it often did in the pre-antibiotic era) led to glomerulonephritis, a progressive kidney disease. Over the next ten years, her health slowly deteriorated until in 1954 she died the gruesome death of renal failure. During her last years John could barely function; he drank excessively and was chronically ill. ... After Betty died the drinking increased and he became virtually incapacitated. He finally capitulated and spent a year in a tuberculosis sanatorium. There he managed to master both ailments, the TB with streptomycin, the alcoholism gradually over the ensuing years. ... He married again, first briefly to local nurse Stella Manuel and subsequently, until he died, to a nurse from Nova Scotia, Gloria Chisholm." David became a psychiatrist.⁶
     Sometimes the father, Alfred, told the family story of a long English Pedigree leading to their immigrant ancestor, Robert Ould. This was probably about the time that the Olds Genealogy was published (by R. E. Olds) and this may have been the origin of the information.⁷
     His obituary states:
     "Dr. John McKee Olds
               "Dr. J M Olds     
"John Olds grew up in Connecticut, sailed on Long Island Sound, played polo at Yale, and went to medical school at Johns Hopkins. As a third year medical student, he travelled to an unheard of hospital in the obscure town of Twillingate in Newfoundland, at that time Great Britain’s oldest colony. The summer experience was to be used as an elective credit for students enrolled in the medical program at Hopkins. At a remote hospital, medical students could gain more hands-on experience and witness medicine as practiced outside the metropolitan medical centers. Most students came to Twillingate for the summer and then moved to larger communities or towns closer to home. However, Dr. Olds loved the maritime beauty of the place so much that, upon graduation in 1932, he returned, bringing his wife, Betty, whom he had met there in 1930 as a Hopkins nursing student. Initially, they decided to stay a year; the year turned into a lifetime."
. . .
"During the last year-and-a-half of the Second World War, Dr. Olds was the only civilian doctor in Notre Dame Bay and was constantly on call. Going without sleep for days at a time, he became increasingly reliant on alcohol. Near the end of the War, he also contracted tuberculosis, for which there was still no treatment except rest and fresh air. In 1954, his wife, Betty, died. Some time after her death, he spent a year in a tuberculosis sanatorium where he overcame his ailments. Dr. Olds married again to a local nurse Stella Manuel and then, after her death, to a nurse from Nova Scotia, Gloria Chisholm. In 1966, Dr. Olds became a Canadian citizen and in 1974, joined with the Twillingate community in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the hospital. Dr. Olds was awarded the Order of Canada in Ottawa in April 1970. The Order of Canada Pin is now displayed at the Twillingate Museum. After a battle with cancer, Dr. John Olds died September 6th, 1985. His body was given to the medical school at Memorial University. His remains were later cremated and a memorial service was held at Twillingate."⁵

     John Murdock Olds was born on 9 Oct 1868.¹ He was the son of Henry Elias Olds and Sarah Ann Murdock.¹
     He "lives in Minnesota."¹

     John N. Olds was born on 14 Dec 1858.¹ He was the son of William F. Olds and Mary B. Hall.¹ John N. Olds died on 26 Feb 1903 at Orange, Texas, at age 44.¹
     He was employed by the Southern Pacific R. R. for many years.¹

     John Newell Olds was born on 28 Sep 1851.¹ He was the son of David A. Olds and Sarah S. Wyatt.¹ John Newell Olds married Sarah Ann McMillon on 7 Jan 1881.¹

     John Preston Olds was born on 23 Aug 1803 at Essex, Vermont.² He was the son of Caleb Olds and Susannah Preston.¹ John Preston Olds married Mary Porter Burr on 27 Mar 1827.² John Preston Olds died on 6 Apr 1881 at Franklin, Vermont, at age 77.^3,4 He was buried at St. Marys Cemetery, Franklin, Franklin County, Vermont.⁵
     John Preston Olds appeared on the census of 10 Oct 1850 at Franklin Township, Franklin County, Vermont, as follows:
     John P. Olds, age 47, farmer, b. VT
     Mary, age 42, b. VT
     Arrona? B., 18, male, carpenter
     Mary, age 16
     Susan, age 13
     Caroline, age 11
     Lucia, age 8
     Arabella, age 6
     Martha, age 4
     John M, age 2
     Merrit Sornberger, age 20, laborer.⁶
     He "was a farmer and a member of the Vermont Legislature in 1848; was Selectman and Lister many times; was Assistant Judge of Franklin Co. Court for a term of years, and was elected Overseer of the Poor for 30 consecutive years, but positively declined to take it after he was 75 years old. He and his wife are buried in Franklin, Vt."²
John Preston Olds appeared on the census of 1880 at Franklin, Franklin County, Vermont, as follows:
     Census Place: Franklin, Franklin, Vermont
     Source:     FHL Film 1255344 National Archives Film T9-1344 Page 113A
           Relation Sex     Marr     Race     Age     Birthplace
John T. OLDS     Self     M     M     W     76     VT Occ: Farmer Fa: CT Mo: CT
Mary P. OLDS     Wife     F     M     W     72     VT Occ:Keeps House     Fa: VT     Mo: MA
Susan OLDS      Dau     F     S     W     43     VT Occ: At Home     Fa: VT     Mo: VT
Marshall OLDS     Son     M     M     W     32     VT Occ: At Home      Fa: VT     Mo: VT
Josephine OLDS     DauL     F     M     W     32     VT Occ: At Home     Fa: VT     Mo: VT
Fred OLDS          GSon     M     S     W     14     VT Occ: At School     Fa: VT     Mo: VT
Willie LONGE     Other     M     M     W     26     VT Occ: Laborer     Fa: VT     Mo: VT
Nancy LONGE     Other     F     M     W     22     VT Occ: Servant Fa: VT Mo: CAN.⁷

     John Rawie Olds was born on 29 Jun 1912 at Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.¹ He was the son of Alexander MacLachlan Olds and Barbara Rawie.¹

     John Roger Olds was born on 13 May 1919 at Conneaut, Ohio.¹ He was the son of Benjamin H. Olds and Sada H. Randabaugh.¹ John Roger Olds died on 11 Dec 2003 at age 84.¹
     His obituary states: "John Roger Olds
"GREENSBORO, NC. John Roger Olds, 84, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on Thursday, December 11, 2003. He had been under the care of Hospice since October 1, 2003.
"Known to friends and family as Roger, he was born on May 13, 1919 to Ben and Sada Olds who lived on Oldholm Farm in Conneaut, OH. Roger enjoyed farm life and participated in varsity sports and leadership activities at Rowe High School. Later he enrolled at Ohio State University. He graduated in 1942 from Western Kentucky University with a degree in agriculture.
"Roger and Bonita Munger of Jefferson, OH were married 57 years ago. He began working for International Harvester in Buffalo, NY shortly thereafter. In 1962, he joined the marketing department of the Ford Tractor Division in upstate New York. In 1983, Roger retired from Ford in Detroit after rising to the level of Marketing Representation Manager with Ford's Overseas Tractor Operations. In this position, he traveled to about 40 developing countries. He and Bonnie lived in Ankara, Turkey for six months. The couple enjoyed 20 years of retirement together including 16 in Leesburg, FL and three at Abbottwood in Greensboro, NC.
"Roger was preceded in death by his sister, Dora Boling; and brother, Durward Olds; and is survived by his sister, Jane Fitzpatrick of Lexington, KY; and Keith Olds of Forest Hills, NY. Roger is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie; and four children, Mona Olds of Greensboro, NC, Ben Olds of Valdez, AK, Doug Olds of Cocoa Beach, FL, and Scott Olds of Toledo, OH; and four grandsons.
"Roger was a friend to all, a loyal son and brother, and a dedicated father and grandfather. His warm smile, robust humor and wise counsel were hallmarks to all who knew him. During his working years as well as his retirement years, he served on several church and community boards.
"Friends are invited to join the family for an informal Memorial Service celebrating Roger's life on Sunday, December 28, 2003, at 4 p.m. at the Congregational United Church of Christ on Radiance Drive in Greensboro.
"In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heifer International, P.O. Box 1692, Merrifield, VA 22116-9861, the Greensboro Beautiful Bicentennial Garden, P.O. Box 3136, Greensboro, NC 27402-3136, or to Hospice of Greensboro at 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405.
"FORBIS & DICK FUNERAL HOME, Greensboro, NC is serving the Olds Family."¹

     John Spencer Olds was born on 25 Oct 1821.¹ He was the son of Benjamin Olds and Rachel Pierson Ogden.¹ John Spencer Olds married Mary (?) c 1846.² John Spencer Olds died on 15 Nov 1878 at Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, at age 57.³
     John Spencer Olds appeared on the census of 25 Jul 1850 in the household of Benjamin Olds at West Ward, City of Newark, Essex County, New Jersey.² John Spencer Olds witnessed the death of Florella H. McMillan on 14 Dec 1856 at Momence, Illinois.^4,5
John Spencer Olds appeared on the census of 28 Jul 1860 at Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, as follows:

     John Thurston Olds was born on 31 Dec 1862 at Ashley, Ohio.^2,3 He was the son of Albert Olds and Mary Louisa Thurston.¹ John Thurston Olds married Blanche Alberta Westbrook on 23 Oct 1889.²
     He was a grocer in Ashley, Ohio.⁴

     John W. Olds was born c 1879 at Texas.¹ He was the son of William C. Olds and Samantha Ann Rachel Jones.¹

     John Wesley Olds was born on 3 Aug 1887.¹ He was the son of John Newell Olds and Sarah Ann McMillon.¹ John Wesley Olds married Dessie Briggs in 1913.¹
     He "lives in Granite, Okla."¹

     John Whitney Olds was born on 30 Jul 1908.¹ He was the son of Louis Newton Olds and Mary Henrietta Lockwood.¹

     John Wilson Olds was born on 29 Apr 1854 at Conneaut, Ohio.² He was the son of John Olds and Harriet Laughlin.¹ John Wilson Olds married Dora E. Durkee in 1879.²
     He "lives at Conneaut, Ohio".²
John Wilson Olds appeared on the census of Apr 1930 at Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio, as follows: John W. Olds, age 75, widowed, b. Ohio, first married at age 25, father of Benjamin H. Olds in whose family he was listed.³

     John/Jonathan Olds was born in 1842.² He was the son of Curtis Lyon Olds and Emily Wright. John/Jonathan Olds married Aggie McCline/McClarn on 23 May 1872 at Bureau County, Illinois.^3,4
     He "lived at Fairbury, Neb."²
John/Jonathan Olds appeared on the census of 1 Jun 1885 at Steele City, Jefferson County, Nebraska, as follows:
     3/3 Olds, Jonathan, 40, married, R R hand, b. Mass., parents b. Mass., cannot read, cannot write
      , Annie, 31, wife, married, keeping house, b. Ireland, parents b. Ireland
      , Lewis, 11, son, attended school, b. Ill., father b. Mass., mother b. Ireland
      , Emily, 66, mother, widow, keeping house, b. Mass. parents b. Mass.⁵