George M. Olmstead (1845 - 1897)

OLMSTEAD, SHAVER

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 7/19/2025 at 11:08:18

THE FINAL SUMMONS
Geo. M. Olmsted Died at His Home Yesterday Afternoon

Sunday afternoon at 1 o’clock the long, honored and useful life of one of Cedar Rapids best known citizens was ended, George M. Olmstead passing away, after a year of patient suffering of Bright’s disease.

Mr. Olmstead was not one of the “old settlers,” but he came to Cedar Rapids hard on the footsteps of the pioneers, in 1865, and ever since his coming has been identified with the town, one of its foremost businessmen.

George M. Olmstead was born at Leyden, Lewis County, New York, in 1845, where he spent nearly all of his young manhood. He was educated at the Oneida Conference seminary, Cazenovia, New York, and soon after his graduation removed to Iowa, locating in this city. He was united in marriage to Miss Ella Shaver, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I. H. Shaver, and to them were born two children, Esther, now aged 14 years and William, aged nine years.

Mr. Olmstead first became prominent in business affairs through his connection with the soap manufacturing plant which for years did a prosperous business in the south end. For the past six years he has been engaged in the wholesale butter and cheese business, for three years a member of the firm of Shaver & Olmstead; also, in the wood and coal business. For a number of years Mr. Olmstead was a member of the city council, earning merited recognition for his faithful services and superior judgment. He was a quiet, unassuming gentleman, not easily cultivated but one of the truest of friends. His reputation for charity and kindly works is well known, although in all these acts he has been unostentatious. For many years Mr. Olmstead was a member of the First Presbyterian church, and he was one of the oldest Knight Templars in the city.

The funeral arrangements have not as yet been completed and will be announced tomorrow. William Olmstead of Chicago and Fred Olmstead of Boone, brothers of the deceased are in the city, and the sad intelligence has been sent to Mr. and Mrs. John S. Ely, who are now visiting in Boston, but who will return at once. To the bereaved family and friends will go out a world of sympathy, for Cedar Rapids has lost one of its best citizens and humanity a noble, unselfish man.

The funeral services will be conducted at the house at 10 a.m. Wednesday. (Source: The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA, Sep 13, 1897, pg. 3