Henry
F. Olmstead
From the Biographical Review, Volume XXXIII, located at the Durham
Center Museum.
Transcribed by Celeste MacCormack.
HENRY F. OLMSTEAD, Catskill agent of the Greene County Bible
Depository and a retired agent of the American Express Company, was born in
Ridgefield, Fairfield County, Conn., November 22, 1813, son of Nathan and Martha
(Watrous) Olmstead. His parents were both natives of that town, and his paternal
grandfather, Jared Olmstead, followed farming there as long as he lived. Nathan
Olmstead was a carpenter by trade, and besides following this mechanical calling
he taught school many years. His death occurred in Ridgefield at the age of
fifty-seven. He was a member of the Congregational church. His wife, Martha, who
was a daughter of John Watrous, a farmer, was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. She died at thirty-four years of age, having been the mother
of seven children.
Henry F. Olmstead is now the only survivor of his father’s family. In his
boyhood he attended the common schools of Ridgefield, and subsequently, both
prior to and after completing a course at Hilton Academy, he taught school in
Norwalk. Relinquishing educational work, he went to Hudson, N.Y., to learn the
trade of a hatter, and worked as a journeyman there two years. In 1842 he came
to Catskill, where he continued his trade on his own account for two years, and
opening a retail hat store continued it for a period of nearly twenty-five
years, during the latter part of the time occupying the building in which he now
has an office. For fifteen years, beginning in 1851, he conducted in addition to
the other the business of the local agency for the American Express Company. In
1886 the express business had become so developed in importance that he disposed
of his hat business. He continued to represent the company until December, 1880,
when failing health compelled him to relinquish the arduous duties of his
position. As a reward for his long and faithful service the company placed him
on their emeritus list, retiring him upon half-pay. Since 1881 he has transacted
a real estate business, has been the local agent for foreign steamship lines,
has looked after the Clark estate, and for the past five years has been the
Catskill agent for the Greene County Bible Depository. In politics he was
originally a Whig, and, favoring the principles of the Republican movement, he
was instrumental in organizing that party in this locality. He was Civil Justice
for sixteen years, and three years Police Justice, and was noted for the
impartial manner in which he disposed of all cases coming under his
jurisdiction.
In 1844 Mr. Olmstead was united in marriage with Lydia H. Utley, daughter of
Ralph and Sarah (Huntington) Utley. He has had two children, namely: a daughter
Mary Howard Olmstead, who is organist of the Presbyterian church, and who
teaches music; and a son Henry F., who died aged four years.
Mr. Olmstead was formerly a member of the Sons of Temperance. For many years he
has been an Elder of the Presbyterian church. He is a permanent Deacon, and was
superintendent of the Sunday-school for nearly twenty years. He has outlived the
majority of his business contemporaries, having participated in the development
of Catskill from a small hamlet to its present size. He still has in his
possession the old hand sled, built by him forty-five years ago, upon which he
transported the American Express packages during the early days of that
company’s existence.
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