GenealogyBuff.com - George Harmon Olds

Posted By: Leslie Vaughn
Date: Tuesday, 12 February 2008, at 10:28 p.m.

U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014

Whitehall [Wisconsin] Times July 16, 1925
"The second man with a family to make his home in Whitehall was George H. Olds. He came here on February 1, 1874. He was the first postmaster, and continued to hold the office under Republican and Democratic administrations for fifteen years, notwithstanding the fact that he was during all those years a radical 100% Prohibitionist."

Obituary

"George H. Olds
George Harmon Olds died at the home of his son-in-law, J.B. Beach, Whitehall, on Wednesday, Sept 13, 1905 at 6:40 PM of Leukemia, a disease of the blood. He was age 71 years, 8 months and 5 days. Deceased was a son of William Olds. He was born at Oxford, Chenango County, New York, January 8, 1834. He came to Trempealeau County with his parents in 1853 and settled on a farm in what is now the town of Caledonia, being one of the pioneer settlers of this county. He and his eldest brother James D. conducted a general merchandise business in connection with their farming interests in Caledonia in an early day. October 2, 1861, deceased enlisted in the 8th Regiment of Missouri Volunteers but was discharged on the 30th day of that month on account of physical disability. In 1863 he married Miss Nancy J. Oliver, to whom was born an only child, a daughter, Hattie Mable. He removed the year of his marriage to the town of Pigeon where he purchased a farm and resided until in February 1874, the year the Green Bay railroad was built, when he came to Whitehall, buying the first lot platted in the village. That year he was appointed postmaster, holding the office continuously for 16 years. He served on the first papers as Deputy Sheriff in the Trempealeau County Court by Judge Gale in 1854. Deceased was converted in 1858, Joining the M.E. Church. He was a Charter member of the Trempealeau Valley Lodge, No.249 IOOF, organized in Whitehall shortly after the village was started and was the oldest member of that lodge at the time of his death. He was a Christian, and an earnest faithful Odd Fellow, rarely missing a lodge meeting until failing health prevented his attendance. He was also a member of the Rebekah lodge, and an honorary member of the local WCTU. He was an active prohibitionist and took a deep interest in the affairs of that party. He was a good citizen, taking great interest in the progress and development of Whitehall, and contributing toward all measures for the betterment of society and the uplifting of humanity. Deceased enjoyed fairly good health up to about a year ago. Last spring he was confined to his bed three months, with warm weather rallying, but sustained a relapse a month preceding his death, when dissolution was rapid, being confined to his bed only a week. For the past 16 years deceased made his home with his daughter, Mrs. J.B. Beach, who survives him, together with three brothers and three sisters; in order of birth: James D. of Rice Lake, Wis., Fannie A. Sargeant of Portland, Oregon, Loren W. of Caledonia, Wis; Albert M. of Rice Lake. Mrs. V.N.Phelps of Portland, Oregon and Mrs. Jane A. Conway of Baraboo, Wis. The funeral of the deceased was conducted from the M.E. Church on Friday, the 15th inst. under the auspices of the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, Rev. L.N. Woolley preacing the sermon. The church was appropriately decorated and the cut flowers, beautiful and pleasing remembrances from the Odd Fellow, Rebekahs, M.E. Church, WCTU,L.A.M.P.C. Club and individual friends, were profuse. The remains were interred in Lincoln Cemetery. The following name relatives of the deceased from abroad attended the service. James D. Olds and daughter, Mrs. D. Tallman, and Albert M. Olds of Rice Lake, Wis., Jane A Conway of Baraboo, Loren W. Olds of Caledonia, and Truman V. Phelps, a nephew from Onalaska."