Person Page - 256

     William Emerson Olds was born on 13 Jan 1818 at Marlboro, Vermont.^1,2 He was the son of William Ross Olds and Barbara Pratt.¹ William Emerson Olds married Margaret Melona Morgan on 7 Oct 1847 at Bennington, Vermont.^3,4,5 William Emerson Olds died on 20 Sep 1896 at age 78¹ and was buried at Park Cemetery, Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri.⁶
     William Emerson Olds and Margaret Melona Olds appeared on the census of 19 Sep 1850 at Bennington, Bennington County, Vermont, as follows:
     Emerson Olds, 31, grocer, b. Vt.
     Margaret M. " , 23, b. Vt.⁷
     He "was a powder maker and lived in Canada for fourteen years and afterwards lived in Moosic, Pa., where he was in charge of the Moosic Powder Mills."³
William Emerson Olds and Margaret Melona Olds appeared on the census of 8 Jun 1880 at Moosic Village, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, as follows:
     70/70 Olds, Wm. E., 60, Superintendent, b. Vermont, parents b. Vermont
      , Margaret, 52, wife, keeping house, b. Vermont, parents b. Vermont
      , Jessie, 18, daughter, music teacher, b. Canada, parents b. Vermont
      , Mabel, 15, daughter, at school, b. Canada, parents b. Vermont
      Gibbons, Hannah, servant, domestic servant, b. Ireland, parents b. Ireland.⁸

     William F. Olds was born on 29 Aug 1820 at Lorraine, Jefferson County, New York.¹ He was the son of John Olds and Mercia Purdy.² William F. Olds married Mary B. Hall on 31 Oct 1844.¹ William F. Olds died on 15 Nov 1892 at Wayland, Michigan, at age 72.¹
     William F. Olds appeared on the census of 29 Oct 1850 at North Field, Summit County, Ohio, as follows:

     William F. Olds was born c 1847 at New Jersey.¹ He was the son of John Spencer Olds and Mary (?).¹
     William F. Olds appeared on the census of 10 Jun 1880 at Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, as follows:

I have no additional evidence that this is the correct William Olds.²

     William F. Olds was born on 8 Aug 1844 at Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.¹ He was the son of William S. Olds and Mary A. Reed.¹ William F. Olds died on 6 Aug 1846 at Chicopee, Hampden County, Massachusetts, at age 1.^2,3

     William Fletcher Olds married Mary Jane Lowther.¹ William Fletcher Olds was born on 24 Aug 1841 at Newark, Ohio.¹ He was the son of Cornelius J. Olds and Mary E. Morse.¹
     William Fletcher Olds and Mary Jane Olds appeared on the census of 25 Jul 1870 at Leesburg, Union County, Ohio, as follows:
     Olds, William F., 28, farmer, b. N. Y.
      , Mary, 24, keeping house, b. Ohio
     Wright, Joseph, 16, farm laborer, b. Ohio.²
William Fletcher Olds and Mary Jane Olds appeared on the census of 4 Jun 1880 at 1st Precinct, 1st Ward, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, as follows:
     Olds, William F., 38, R. R. Conductor, b. Ohio, parents b. Vermont
, Mary Jane, 37, wife, keeping house, b. Ohio, father b. Penn, mother b. Va.
, Maggie, 12, daughter, b. Ohio.³
William Fletcher Olds and Mary Jane Olds appeared on the census of 20 Jun 1900 at Fernandina, Nassau County, Florida, as follows:
     Olds, William F., head, b. Aug 1842, m. 38 years, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio, farmer
      , Mary J., wife, b. March 1857, age 43, m. 38 years, 1 child, 1 living, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio.⁴ He lived at Fernandina, Florida.¹

     William H. Olds was the son of Henry Olds and Lizzie Whipple.¹

     William H. Olds was born c 1855 at Ohio.¹ He was the son of Davis Olds and Mariah (?).¹

     William H. Olds was born in Sep 1884 at California.² He was the son of George Washington Olds and Eunice D. Cole.¹
     He "lives in Napa, Calif."¹

     William H. Olds was born on 7 Sep 1867.² He was the son of Oro Olds and Margaret A. Haybarger.¹ William H. Olds married Desdamonia Bertha Shirley on 4 May 1892.³
     Ne "lives at Jamestown, N. Y."³

     William H. Olds married Frances (?).¹ William H. Olds was born c 1815 at New York.¹
     For the time being, my story of this family begins with the 1850 census. I need more than census records to tie this family together.
William H. Olds and Frances Olds appeared on the census of 10 Sep 1850 at District 91, Schuyler County, Missouri, as follows:
     294/294 Wm. Olds, 34, male, farmer, $1600 real estate, b. New York
           Frances " , 33, female, b. KY, cannot read and write
           Isaac N. " , 5, male, b. Missouri
           Electa " , 3, female, "
           Frances L. " , 1, female, "
      Simpson Sexton, 18, male, farmer, "
This is the only Olds family listed in the 1850 census of Schuyler County, Missouri.¹
William H. Olds and Frances Olds appeared on the census of 16 Jul 1860 at Vacaville Township, Solano County, California, as follows:
     169/143 W. H. Olds, 45, male, farmer, $200 in personal estate, b. N. Y.
      Francis Olds, 46, female, b. Ky
      Isaac Olds, 15, male, b. Missouri
      William Olds, 7, male, b. Missouri
      George W. Olds, 1, male, b. California
      T. A. S. Contenburgh (per indexer), 28, male, laborer, b. Va.
No one in this family could read and write.²

     William H. Olds was born c 1867 at Wisconsin.¹ He was the son of Marquis de Lafayette Olds and Lydia G Aldrich.¹

     William Hall Olds was born on 3 Nov 1901 at Hickory, Oklahoma.¹ He was the son of Edgar Orville Olds and Lillian Gaither.¹

     William Henry Olds was born in May 1840 at Ohio.^2,3 He was the son of Zenas Olds and Susannah Ford.¹ William Henry Olds married Jannette R. Stearns on 27 Sep 1865.^1,4 William Henry Olds died on 23 Feb 1922 at Lake County, Ohio, at age 81.^5,6
     William Henry Olds was often listed merely as Henry Olds.
Henry Olds and Jannette R. Olds appeared on the census of 29 Jun 1870 at Windham Township, Portage County, Ohio, as follows:

Henry Olds and Jannette R. Stearns appeared on the census of 7 Jun 1880 at Thompson, Geauga County, Ohio, as follows:

Henry Olds and Jannette R. Olds appeared on the census of Jun 1900 at Thompson Township, Geauga County, Ohio, as follows:

Henry Olds appeared on the census of Mar 1920 at Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio, as follows:

[Two roomers were also listed with this family.].¹⁰

     William Henry Olds was born on 3 Jun 1867.¹ He was the son of Henry G. Olds and Caroline M. Brooks.¹ William Henry Olds married Marguerite W Simonson on 22 Apr 1892.^2,3
     William Henry Olds and Marguerite W Olds appeared on the census of 8 Jun 1900 at 61 West Berry, Ft. Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, as follows:
     126/160 Olds, William, head, b. June 1869 [??], age 33, m. 9 years, b. Indiana, f. b. Ohio, mother b. Indiana
      , Margre, wife, b. Nov. 1869, age 30, m. 9 years, 2 chn, 2 living, b. Ind, parents b. New York
      , Virginia, dau., b. Feb. 1892, age 8, b. Indiana
      , James, son, Oct. 1894, age , b. Indiana
      Simonson, James H., boarder, b. Feb. 1838, age 62, widowed, b. N.Y, parents b. unknown
      Clipper, Tillie, servant, b. April 1882, age 18, b. Ind., parents b. Germany
      Earlenbaugh, Lizzie, servant, b. Dec. 1874, age 25, b. Ind., parents b. Germany.⁴
     He "Lives at Uhrichsville, Ohio, where he is engaged in the manufacture of gloves."²

     William Henry Olds was born on 17 Apr 1834 at Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.¹ He was the son of Ezra Richmond Olds and Louis (?).¹

     William Henry Olds married Elizabeth Laura (?).² William Henry Olds was born in Aug 1820 at Massachusetts.³ He died on 22 Nov 1900 at Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, at age 80.⁴
     He is sometimes recorded as Henry Olds.
     The hint of continuity in the census records from 1850 - 1900 and the birth record of son Martin have encouraged me to present these records as one family and "rename" the parents as William Henry and Elizabeth Laura Olds. By doing this I have been able to identify seven children as reported for Elizabeth in the 1900 census. That census also reports they had been married for 52 years so she must have been Henry's wife since about 1848 (although missing in 1850).
Henry Olds appeared on the census of 31 Jul 1850 at Adams, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, as follows:
     Henry Olds, 30, laborer, b. Mass.
     Laura " , 1, b. Mass.
     Luthera Myers, 21, female, b. Vt.⁵
William Henry Olds and Elizabeth Laura Olds appeared on the census of 1860 at Hancock, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, as follows:
     Wm. H. Olds, 40, carpenter, b. Mass.
     Elizabeth " , 29, b. Mass.
     Laura " , 11, b. Mass
     Geo. " , 2, b. Mass.¹
Henry Olds and Elizabeth Laura Olds appeared on the census of 13 Jun 1870 at Corinth City, Saratoga County, New York, as follows:
     Olds, Henry, 49, carpenter, b. Mass.
      , Elizabeth, 39, keeping house, b. Mass.
      , George, 11, attends school, b. Mass.
      , William, 9, attends school, b. Mass.
      , Alida, 7, attends school, b. N. Y.
      , Martha, 5, attends school, b. Mass.
[The next family listed is that of (presumed son-in-law) Melvin Potter.]²
William Henry Olds and Elizabeth Laura Olds appeared on the census of 17 Jun 1880 at Village of Bloodville, Saratoga County, New York, as follows:
     Olds, William H., 59, carpenter, b. Mass., parents b. Mass.
      , Elizabeth L., 49, wife, keeping house, b. Mass., parents b. R. I.
      , George M., 21, son, labour, asthma, b. Mass., parents b. Mass.
      , Elira, 17, dau., at home, b. N. Y., parents b. Mass.
      , Mattie, 15, dau., at home, b. Mass., parents b. Mass.⁶
Henry Olds and Elizabeth Laura Olds appeared on the census of 7 Jun 1900 at Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, as follows:
     Olds, Henry, head, b. Aug. 1820, 79, marr. 52 yrs, b. Mass., parents b. Mass.
      , Elizabeth, b. Nov. 1829, age 70, marr. 52 yrs, 7 children, 5 living, b. Mass., parents b. Rhode Island
      , George, son, b. Aug 1859, 40, single, b. Mass., parents b. Mass., laborer
     Bolter, Elira, dau., b. May 1863, 37, divorced, 2 children, 1 living, b. New York, parents, b. Mass., cook.³
     His obituary states: NORTHAMPTON. "William H. Olds, 80, died at his home on Maple Street yesterday morning. He leaves a son and a daughter, living at home."⁴

     William Herbert Olds was born on 18 Nov 1894 at Cumberland, Maine.¹ He was the son of Herbert William Olds and Goldie Perkins.¹ William Herbert Olds died on 15 Jun 1895.¹

     William Hibbard Olds was born on 13 Jul 1878 at Hot Springs, Arkansas.¹ He was the son of Milton Hall Olds and Mattie Edna McLean.¹ William Hibbard Olds married Willia Etta Hays on 28 Dec 1904.¹

     William J. Olds married Bertha Cougnour.² William J. Olds was born on 16 Nov 1863 at Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana.³ He was the son of Samuel N. Olds and Mary Caroline Robinson.¹ William J. Olds died on 6 Jul 1949 at Neagley Sanitorium, Hicksville, Defiance County, Ohio, at age 85.⁴ He was buried on 18 Jul 1949 at Forest Home Cemetery, Hicksville, Defiance County, Ohio.⁵
     William J. Olds appeared on the census of 8 Jun 1900 at Otsego Village, Allegan County, Michigan, as follows:
     251/260 Olds, William J., head, b. Nov. 1863, 36, marr. 11 yrs., b. Ind., parents b. Vt., grocer
      , Bertha, wife, b. Oct. 1864, 34, marr. 11 yrs., 0 children, 0 living, b. Penn., parents b. Penn.⁶

     William Jason Olds was born on 11 Nov 1862 at Ypsilanti, Michigan.¹ He was the son of George Hanford Olds and Almira C. Smith.¹ William Jason Olds died on 26 Apr 1864 at Ypsilanti, Michigan, at age 1.¹ He was buried at Highland Cemetery, Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan.²

     William L. Olds was born c 1861.² He was the son of Alfred H. Olds and Diana Ford.¹

     William Lauren Olds was born on 9 Dec 1868 at Illinois.^1,3 He was the son of Walker Olds and Susan M. Park.¹ William Lauren Olds married Deborah B. Ege on 21 Jun 1894 at Whiteside County, Illinois.^3,4 William Lauren Olds died on 2 Oct 1945 at age 76⁵ and was buried at Oakridge Cemetery, Albany, Whiteside County, Illinois.⁶
     William Lauren Olds and Deborah B. Olds appeared on the census of 4 Jun 1900 at Albany, Whiteside County, Illinois, as follows:
     53/55 Ege, C. Peter, b. Nov 1835, 64, marr. 38 yrs., b. Pa., parents b. Pa.
      Harriett L., wife, b. Aug 1839, 61, marr. 38 yrs, 9 children, 6 living, b. Ind., father b. W. Va., mother b. Ind.
      Sarah L., dau., b. June 1878, 21, single, b. Ill., father b. Pa., mother b. Ind., school teacher
      Olds, William L., son-in-law, b. Dec. 1868, 31, marr. 6 yrs, b. Ill., father b. Conn., mother b. Ind., traveling man, boot & shoe salesman
      , Deborah B., dau., b. Sep 1871, 28, three children, 1 living, b. Ill., father b. Pa., mother b. Ind.
      , -- -- -- --, grandson, b. May 1900, b. Ill., father b. Ill., mother b. Ill.³
     William Lauren Olds "lives in Madison, Wisc."¹
William Lauren Olds and Deborah B. Olds appeared on the census of 7 Jan 1920 at Madison County, Dane County, Wisconsin, as follows:
     129/177 Olds, William, head, 50, b. Ill., father b. Conn., mother b. Ind., merchant, wholesale Ned[?]
      , Deborah F., wife, 48, b. Ill., father b. Penn., mother b. Ind.
      , William E., son, 19, b. Ill., parents b. Ill., musician, orchestra
      , Deborah F., dau., 17, b. Wisc., parents b. Ill.
      , Harriet S., dau., 13, b. Wisc., parents b. Ill.
      King, Gertrude, roomer, b. Calif., father b. Missouri, mother b. Ohio, secretary, private club.⁷ William Lauren Olds and other family members are listed in 1931 at Madison, Wisconsin. The listing includes
William Lauren Olds and Deborah B. Olds appeared on the census of 8 Apr 1940 at Mendota, Westport Township, Dane County, Wisconsin, as follows:
     54 Olds, William L., head, 70, 2 yrs h.s., b. Ill., gardening overseer, insane asylum
      , Deborah E., wife, 64, 4 yrs h. s., b. Illinois
They had lived in the same house on 1 April 1935.⁹

     William Lyle Olds was born on 17 Jul 1907 at Grass Valley, Sherman County, Oregon.^2,3 He was the son of Charles B. Olds and Pearl May Hinershot.¹ William Lyle Olds died on 25 Jun 1992 at age 84.³ He was buried at Grass Valley (I. O. O. F.) Cemetery, Grass Valley, Sherman County, Oregon.⁴
     "was born at Grass Valley, Oregon, and received his education there. Left Oregon in 1931 and since then has resided in California except for about four years of service in the Navy during World War II."¹

     William Marshall Olds was born on 28 Jul 1916.¹ He was the son of Joseph Olds and Jessie B. Gaunt.¹ William Marshall Olds married Olive Ernestine Myers on 19 Oct 1940 at Franklin County, Ohio.² William Marshall Olds died on 12 Apr 1989 at age 72.³
     A Social Security Claim was made for William Marshall Olds in Jan 1937 giving his name as Marshall A. Olds. This listed his father's name as Joseph Olds, his mother's name as Jessie B. Gaunt and his birth as 28 July 1916 in Colombus, Franklin County, Ohio. The report also shows:
     he died 12 Apr 1989 and his name was Marshall A. Olds on 22 August 1989..³

     William Marshall Anderson Olds was born on 13 Sep 1867 at Circleville, Ohio.¹ He was the son of Joseph Olds and Mary Anderson.¹ William Marshall Anderson Olds married Mabel L. Claar on 4 Dec 1908.^2,3 William Marshall Anderson Olds died on 23 Jun 1923 at age 55.⁴ He was buried at Dallas, Texas.⁴
     He had no children.⁴
     "U.S. V '98, Ohio Reg."⁴ He "lives in Columbus, Ohio". [1915]¹

     William Morgan Olds was born on 12 Apr 1875.¹ He was the son of Joseph Chauncey Olds and Sarah M. Morgan.¹ William Morgan Olds died on 11 May 1891 at age 16.¹

     William Parker Olds was born on 20 Jan 1857 at Washington County, Oregon.¹ He was the son of George Daniel Olds and Sarah A. Fairbanks.¹ William Parker Olds married Lillian A. Cooke on 19 May 1880 at Lafayette, Yamhill County, Oregon.^2,3,4 William Parker Olds died on 8 Feb 1935 at Portland County, Oregon, at age 78.⁵ He died on 8 Feb 1935 at age 78.⁶
     "The grandfather [of William Parker Olds], Martin Olds was born in Boston in 1798 and came to Oregon in 1850, arriving here when the work of progress and civilization seemed scarcely begun."⁷
     "WILLIAM P. OLDS.
"An Oregon boy who made his debut on this world's stage near Moore's Mill, Washington county, January 20, 1857. His parents were George and Sarah Fairbanks Olds, pioneers of 1852.
"On his arival at an age when he could attend school, the little log cabin school house near his home was entered, wherein the rudiments of his education were learned. On April 12, 1862, he was deprived of a father's care and support by reason of the sudden death of that parent.⁸ In December, 1863, his widowed mother became the wife of Prof. S. W. King, and the family removed to Butteville, Marion county, where Mr. Olds continued schooling until 1869. At that date our subject became imbued with the idea of self-support, and, though but 12 years of age, came to Portland, and began the useful and honorable career so well known and creditable to him. His first employment was with the mercantile house of John Wilson, with whom he remained until the firm of Olds & King succeeded him in business in 1878.
"Soon after his coming to Portland, the family also removed to the metropolis, Prof. King engaging in teaching in the public schools until 1878, when Mr. Olds and himself purchased the business of Mr. Wilson, which was thereafter known as the firm of Olds & King until 1891, when Prof. King retired to follow a less laborious avocation. At this period the great emporium they had established was incorporated, the name not being changed, and at the present time is one of the leading department stores on the Pacific coast; always up to date in the various lines carried, and growing more widely known and popular every day. Since its organization, Mr. Olds has been its president, and upon his[sic] has devolved the task, and by no means an easy one, of going East about four times each year to purchase the stock carried.
"On May 19, 1880, Mr. Olds was united in marriage with Miss Lillian A. Cooke. They have no children. The parents of Mrs. Olds were Amos and Mary F. Cooke, old settlers of Yamhill county. The former came across the plains with the "Peoria party" in 1840, and her mother arrived with the emigration of 1852. Mrs. Cooke is a sister of Hon. H. W. Scott, editor of the Oregonian.
"Success goes hand in hand with a spotless character, integrity, business ability and urbanity. All of these are linked with the life of Mr. Olds in an enviable degree."⁹
     "In 1897 H. C. Wortman purchased an interest in the business which had in the meantime developed into one of the leading department stores. C. W. King, a half-brother of William Parker Olds, was also taken into the firm which which for many years was known under the name 'Olds, Wortman, and King.' Wortman finally disposed of his interest and the firm name was then changed to 'Olds and King,' under which it has continued to operate ever since although both of the last named families sold out their respective interests in the business on January 1, 1925."¹⁰
     
     "William Parker Olds was educated in the public schools and became a succesful businessman in Portland, Oregon. He first was an employee of John Wilson there whom he succeeded in business on the 1st of August, 1878. He then organized the firm of Olds & King and conducted business on Third street between Morrison and Alder until 1881, when a removal was made to First and Taylor streets, where it remained until the 1st of November, 1891, and was then removed to Fifth and Washington streets. In July, 1910, the last removal was made to the newly erected, splendid business block extending from Morrison to Alder and from Park to Tenth streets. There the firm is conducting one of the largest and finest department stores on the Pacific coast. Since 1897 business has been carried on under the style of Olds, Wortman, & King, with Mr. Olds as president. ... On the 19th of May, 1880, at La Fayette, Oregon, Mr. Olds was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Cooke, a daughter of Amos and Mary P. Cooke. Her father came from Maine in 1840. Her mother, who is a sister of H. W. Scott, of the Oregonian, came to this state from Illinois in 1852. . . .² "
William Parker Olds and Lillian A. Olds appeared on the census of 8 Jun 1900 at Ward 6, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, as follows:
     Olds, William P., head, b. Jan. 1857, 43, marr. 20 years, b. Oregon, father b. Ohio, mother b. N. Y., Dry Good Merch.
      , Lillian C., wife, b. Oct. 1856, 43, marr. 20 years, 0 children, 0 living, b. Oregon, father b. Maine, mother b. Illinois.¹¹
     " ... The next change occurred in 1887, when the store was established at the corner of First and Taylor streets, where it remained until November 1, 1891, and was then moved to Fifth and Washington streets. Since July, 1910, the business has been conducted in an imposing building erected at that time and extending from Morrison to Alder and from Park to Tenth streets. In 1897 the present style of Olds, Wortman & King was adopted and William P. Olds was elected president. For many years he filled the office and under his expert administration this became one of the leading dry goods firms of the Pacific northwest,—a prestige which it still enjoys. Mr. Olds studied mercantile methods in various parts of the world, adapting them to his business, and perfected a highly efficient organization.
Meanwhile he had become president of the Portland Woolen Mills and is still at the head of this industry, which has constantly expanded. In order to facilitate the discharge of his executive duties he went to Australia for the purpose of consulting with the wool growers of that country, and in Egypt studied the cotton industry, while in Japan he gleaned much valuable information concerning the manufacture of silk. In 1925 he withdrew from the firm of Olds, Wortman & King and has since been president of the Union Savings & Loan Association, a mutual benefit organization which had its inception on November 26, 1917.
...
"Mr. Olds was married May 19, 1880, at Lafayette, Oregon, to Miss Lillian Cooke, who proved an ideal helpmate, and who passed away in 1914. Her parents were Amos and Mary F. Cooke, the former, a native of Maine, coming to Oregon with the pioneers of 1840.
"Mr. Olds is affiliated with the First Unitarian Association of Portland, of which he has been treasurer and a trustee, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. At one time he was president of the local association of retail dealers, a director of the Portland Cremation Association and also of the Reed Institute. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree and he is a life member of the Multnomah Club and belongs to the Waverly Club. A lover of art in its highest forms, he is a good judge of paintings, and among his treasured possessions is a collection of valuable books. With deep interest he has watched the various phases of Portland's development, contributing his full share toward the city's upbuilding, and a useful, upright life has established him high in public regard."¹²
William Parker Olds appeared on the census of 12 Jan 1920 at Portland, Multonomah County, Oregon, as follows:
     Olds, William P., head, 62, widowed, b. Oregon, father b. Ohio, mother b. New York, merchant, general merchandise
     Summers, Clara O., sister, 60. widowed, b. Oregon, father b. Ohio, mother b. N. Y.
     Anderson, Thackle, servant, female, 26, immigrated 1907, alien, b. Sweden, parents b. Sweden.¹³
William Parker Olds appeared on the census of 3 Apr 1930 at Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, as follows:
     Olds, William P., head, 73, widowed, first marr. at 23, b. Oregon, father b. Ohio, mother b. N. Y., manufacturer, woolen mill
     Summers, Clara O., sister, 70, widowed, first marr. at 21, b. Oregon, father b. Ohio, mother b. N. Y.
     Wickland, Mary E., maid, 46, widowed, first marr. at 42, b. Sweden, parents b. Sweden, alien, immigrated 1887, maid in private home.¹⁴
     His obituary states:
     "Obituary, WILLIAM P. OLDS,
     "NATIVE SON, DEAD
     "Pioneer Portland Merchant, aged 78
"William Parker Olds, 78, president of the Portland Woolen mills and one of the founders of Olds, Wortman & King, died yesterday at the family residence, 333 Northeast Hassalo street, after a long illness. He had been a resident of Portland since 1869.
"Mr. Olds was born on a Washington county farm January 20, 1857. His parents George D. and Sarah A. Olds, were Oregon pioneers of 1852. While the boy was still very young the family moved to Butteville, and there the boy attended school.
"The father died while William was a youth and in time the widow married S. W. King, who was the head of Butteville academy. There the future merchant attended school, his instructor being his step-father. William Olds was such a fine student that he graduated from the academy and began teaching school when only 12 years old.
     "COLLEGE GIVEN UP
"The family decided to send him east to take college work, and they had written to both Yale and Harvard for entrance papers. Both colleges had agreed to accept this 12-year-old Oregon student, but the lad's health was such that it was decided he had better not go so far away from home. It took much longer to reach the eastern seaboard than it does today.
"At 12, W. P. Olds passed the state teachers' examination, and began instructing in a country school near Salem. But he did not teach long, having decided to go to Portland to learn the mercantile business.
"In 1869 he came to this city and began working as a clerk in the general store of John Wilson, on Front street. By 1878 the store had moved to 147 Third street, between Morrison and Alder, and on September 1 of that year the establishment was purchased by Mr. Olds and his step-father, S. W. King, father of C. W. King, who was connected with the store for so many years.
     "WORTMAN JOINS FIRM
"Mr. Olds' hobby was his library. It contains thousands of volumes, all bound in beautiful hand-tooled leather. It contains the entire range of literature, the owner having been a great reader of all classes of authorship. He never kept a volume in its original binding. The library is said to be the finest privately owned one of the Pacific coast.
     "TWO SISTERS SURVIVE
"On May 19, 1880, Mr. Olds married Miss Lillian Cook of Lafayette, Or., who died in 1914. Survivors of Mr. Olds are his two sisters, Mrs. Clara Owen Summers, who has made her home with her brother for many years, and Mrs. D. C. Southworth of Portland and a half brother, C. W. King.
"Mr. Olds was a member of Harmony lodge, A. F. and A. M; Scottish Rite, Lang Syne society, a life member of the Multinoman Athletic club, and an ex-president of the Portland Retail Dealers associationj. He was also an active member of the Unitarian association and a trustee of Reed college.
"Funeral services will be held Monday at 2:30 P. M. at the chapel of Holman & Lutz. The body will be cremated."
[The article includes a picture of W. P. Olds.]¹⁵
     Another obituary for William states:
"OLDS -- In this city Feb. 8, William Parker Olds, late of 333 N. E. Hasselo st., brother of Charles King, Mrs. Owen Summers, and Mrs. D. C. Southworth. Funeral services Monday, Feb. 11, at 2:30 P. M., from the Colonial Mortuary. E. 14th and Sandy blvd. Committal Portland Crematorium. Arrangements in charge of Holman & Lutz."⁶

     William Renninger Olds was born on 27 Jan 1892 at Newark, Essex County, New Jersey.^2,3 He was the son of David E. Olds and Anna Amelia Renninger.¹ William Renninger Olds died in Oct 1912 at age 20.¹

     William Riley Olds was born on 20 Apr 1817 at Belchertown, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.¹ He was the son of Jonathan Olds and Joanna Keith.¹ William Riley Olds married Susan Sanborn on 20 Feb 1842 at East Windsor, Connecticut.^2,3 William Riley Olds died on 16 Jul 1885 at Wyanet, Bureau County, Illinois, at age 68.⁴ He was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, Wyanet, Bureau County, Illinois.⁵
     William Riley Olds and Susan Olds appeared on the census of 4 Oct 1850 at Belchertown, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, as follows:
     William R. Olds, 33, farmer, b. Mass.
     Susan S. , 34, b. Vt.
     Clarissa L. , 7, b. Mass.
     Joanna H.[?] , 5, b. Mass.
     Henry H.[?] , 2, b. Mass.
     Clarissa Parker, 59, b. Vt.
     Henry M. Sanborn, 5, b. Mass.
     Rymor S. Lillibridge, 56, b. Mass.⁶
William Riley Olds and Susan Olds appeared on the census of 10 Jul 1860 at Tiskilwa Post Office, Indiantown Township, Bureau County, Illinois, as follows:
     Wllm R. Olds, 43, farmer, b. Mass.
     Susan Olds, 43, b. Vermont
     Clarissa L. , 17, domestic, b. Mass.
     Ann K. , 15, b. Mass.
     Henry ? , 12, b. Mass.
     Frank L. , 6, b. Ill.
     Patrick ? Bran?, 20, farm labor, b. Ireland
     Wllm Whitworth, 18, farm labor, b. England.⁷
William Riley Olds appeared on the census of 15 Aug 1870 at Wyanet, Bureau County, Illinois, as follows:
     Olds, Wm. R., farmer, 52, b. Mass.
      , Susan, 54, keeps house, b. Vt.
      , Frank, 16, home, b. Ill.⁸
William Riley Olds and Susan Olds appeared on the census of 23 Jun 1880 at Wyanet, Bureau County, Illinois, as follows:
     Olds, William R., 63, ret. farmer, b. Mass., parents b. Mass.
      , Susan, 66, wife, keeping house, b. Vermont, parents b. Vermont.⁹
     The William Riley Olds farm was at the south west corner of Wyanet. In 1883, he conveyed 80 acres to Frank Olds.¹⁰
William Riley Olds left a will on 9 Jun 1884.
     "In the name of God, Amen -- I, Wm. Riley Olds of the town of Wyanet, County of Bureau and State of Illinois, being of the age of sixty seven years and sound memory and mind do make this last will and testament;
"I direct:
"First -- My debts and funeral expenses be paid
"Second -- I bequeath my wife Susan Olds all property during her lifetime. After the death of my wife, I will and bequeath to my two grandsons, Willie and Lewis Olds and to my granddaughter Ann Olds and to my grandson Frank Doty, the sum of twenty five dollars each.
"Fifth --- After death of my wife and payments of bequests
"Sixth -- I Will and direct that should my son Frank Olds die before my wife Susan Olds, the children of my son shall inherit his portion.
"Frank Olds be appointed executor. June 9, 1884.
"Witnesses: Benjamin Smith and T. Clark Hays.
"Wm. R. Olds departed this life on or about July 16, 1885 and died leaving a last will and testament. Subscribed and sworn to July 22, 1885 before S. G. Paddock, Clerk."¹¹

     William Riley Olds was born on 31 Mar 1849.² He was the son of William F. Olds and Mary B. Hall.¹ William Riley Olds died on 13 Sep 1906 at Leighton, Michigan, at age 57.²