Olcott, B. F.

OLCOTT, ODELL

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 12/20/2012 at 08:23:54

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.

OLCUTT, B.F. - Bear Creek Twp. - pg 844. Of the firm of Olcott & Odell, groceries and provisions. The subject of this sketch was born in Huron county, Ohio, February 28, 1845; was there raised and educated. His father, Ben Olcutt, was an agriculturist in that county. The Ollcotts are of English lineage. In 1864 Mr. Olcott, with that spirit of patriotism which is characteristic of his native State, tendered his services to his country, enlisting in company I, Tenth Michigan volunteer infantry, participating in many of the notable events of the war, among which were Goldsboro, Buzzard?s Roost, Black River, Bentonville and others; was with General Sherman in his famous march to the sea. His regiment marched from Raleigh, N.C., to Richmond, on a wager of $2000, preparatory to attend the grand review at Washington, D.C.; they accomplished the feat in the stipulated time, five days, and secured the prize. He was honorably discharged at the close of the rebellion, in July, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. He returned to his home in Ohio where he resided until 1868, when he came to Brooklyn. Was married February 18, 1868, to Miss Desoline Odell, of Huron county, Ohio; by this union they have three children: Louanna, Ben Wade, Liza Bell. After a residence in Brooklyn of eight years he returned to Ohio where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for three years, after which he returned to Brooklyn, and in the spring of 1880 embarked in the grocery and provision trade in company with Mr. Odell.