George Olcott (1838-1917)

OLCOTT

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/3/2022 at 19:55:04

George Olcott
(February 27, 1838 – November 12, 1917)

Few men can attain high positions in military or political life, but the electrical world of business offers unlimited opportunity, and advancement therein is a result of capability, enterprise and resolute purpose. Mr. Olcott has been actively connected with business interests in this section of Iowa for a number of years, and is now successfully conducting a restaurant in Pomeroy. He is wide-awake, alert, and progressive, and typifies the western spirit of energy.
A native of Vermont, George Olcott was born in Windom County February 27, 1838. His father, L. M. Olcott, was united in marriage in Vermont, his native state, to Miss Jane F. Chamberlin. They became the parents of five children, of whom our subject is the eldest. The others are: Mollie, who is the wife of C. B. Richards and lives in Colorado; Mrs. Nellie Archibald, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mrs. Hattie Prince, of Chicago; and John, who is connected with the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Company, of Chicago. In the year 1845 the parents left Vermont and removed westward, taking up their abode near Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois, where the father purchased a farm upon which he remained for a few years. Subsequently he engaged in the lumber business in Princeton and in 1856 he came to Iowa, settling in Fort Dodge, Webster County, where he bought and sold land, making his home there until his death, which occurred in 1879. His widow is still living at the age of eighty-three years and is a resident of Chicago. In private schools of Princeton, Illinois, George Olcott pursued his education and after the removal of the family to Fort Dodge he engaged in teaming for two years. Subsequently he established a meat market and was conducting that enterprise at the time the Civil war was inaugurated. Several months passed and then feeling that his duty to his country came before all other interests he donned the blue uniform and on the 30th of September, 1861, became a member of Company A, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was mustered in at Dubuque and served under Colonel Harlan and Captain Stratchan. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and was first sent to Fortress Monroe. With his command Mr. Olcott participated in the battles of Reams Station and Weldon Railroad, and was also in several skirmishes. He was captured at Black Water, in Virginia, in 1863, and held as prisoner there three weeks, after which he was exchanged. He was never wounded, and on the 17th of September, 1864, he was honorably discharged and mustered out at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. When the war was over Mr. Olcott returned to Fort Dodge, where he engaged in driving a Stage in 1865 and 1866. The following year he was employed in a sawmill for a short time, and subsequently he spent two years in teaming between Fort Dodge and Boone. On abandoning that pursuit he turned his attention to farming, which he followed until 1877, most of the time in Pocahontas County. In 1880 he came to Calhoun County, where he also carried on agricultural pursuits until 1888, at which time he took up his abode in Pomeroy, where he conducted a butcher shop for six years. In 1894 he opened a restaurant on Ontario street and is there receiving a liberal and a well merited patronage. He does everything he can to meet the requirements of his patrons, and his obliging manner, unfailing courtesy and fair dealings have secured to him gratifying success. He owns his place of residence and two good dwellings in Pomeroy.
Mr. Olcott celebrated Christmas day of 1876 by his marriage to Matilda Munch, the daughter of Edward Munch. Like her father, she was born in Germany, her natal day being April 18, 1852. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Olcott has been blessed with one child. John E., who was born July 22, 1879, and who was accidentally smothered in a flax-bin in an elevator on the 19th of August, 1889. The loss of their only child was a great blow to Mr. and Mrs. Olcott, leaving a vacant place in the home and hearts that can never be filled. During the terrible cyclone of 1893 the building in which Mr. Olcott was carrying on business was partially destroyed and he lost his barns and his icehouse, which was filled with ice.
With resolute purpose he started to work to retrieve his loss and is now numbered among the prosperous and enterprising business men of Pomeroy, whose well directed affairs have not only gained him a comfortable competence, but have also contributed to the commercial activity and upbuilding of the town. Socially he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic at Pomeroy, in which he is now serving as sergeant and he has also been quartermaster. In politics
he is a Democrat and while residing in Bellville Township, Pocahontas County, was county school director and road supervisor.
He regards a public office as a public trust and in the discharge of his duties was so reliable and faithful that he won the high commendation of all concerned. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.415]