California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


CHARLES H. OLMSTEAD.� A good-natured, affable and hospitable 
young man, who is not only highly respected for his sterling character and 
business acumen, but is looked up to as a natural leader, is Charles H. Olm- 
stead, who took an active part in the organization and building up of certain 
social clubs for men in the oil-fields, and thereby benefited the lives of many 
a faithful worker. He was born at Syracuse, N. Y., on January 27, 1884, 
the son of Charles Olmstead, also a New Yorker, who was long engaged in 
farming near Syracuse, and who, after years of activity, retired with a com- 
fortable competency and, what is equally of importance, with the good will 
and esteem of his fellowmen. Mrs. Olmstead, who before her marriage was 
Mary Bowman, and who was also born at Syracuse, passed away several 
years ago. 

The second oldest in their family of five children, Charles H. was reared 
at Syracuse and educated in its excellent public schools. At the age of 
eighteen he left home and made his way to Flint, Mich., where he was em- 
ployed at farming until 1906. In that year � the period of the earthquake and 
fire � he came to San Francisco and was soon engaged by the W. P. Fuller 
oil works. A year later he removed to Fresno and for ten or twelve months 
was in the service of the Santa Fe Railroad. Then he came to Coalinga ; and 
being the kind of timber that far-seeing business folk seldom leave long un- 
employed, he engaged with the Associated Oil Company, on National 30, 
where he continued for a period of two years. His ability and close appli- 
cation to duty won for him a foremanship, but in 1910 he resigned, in order 
to assume still greater responsibility. 

It was then that Mr. Olmstead entered the employ of the California Oil- 
fields, Ltd., and when they sold their holdings to the Shell, he continued with 
the new concern. He was foreman of Section 27. and later was transferred 
in the same capacity to the W. K. lease. In 1916 he was again transferred as 
foreman of Sections 14, 10 and 15, for the Shell Company of California, and 
later his responsibilities were increased with the addition of Sections 22 and 
24. This desirable place he has been filling with credit and ability ever since. 
He has also served as deputy sheriff for the past three years. 

Mr. Olmstead is a member of the Red Men at Coalinga; he worked hard 
and unselfishly to establish the Oilfields Club, already referred to, and. as 
actively, in organizing Section 14 Social Club, of which he is president, and 
which has its own well-appointed and spacious club-rooms, a credit alike 
to members and patrons.