Olmstead, Ralph L.

OLMSTEAD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/23/2021 at 12:32:27

Source: History of Warren County, Iowa, by Gerard Schultz and Don L. Berry, The Record and Tribune Co., Indianola, Iowa, 1953, p.327

RALPH LESTER OLMSTED
Ralph Lester Olmsted, proprietor of an electrical store, sales and service in New Virginia, was born Nov. 4, 1904, near Patterson, in Madison County, the second son of Lester R. and Anna (Tate) Olmsted. Ralph Olmsted graduated from New Virginia high school in 1926 and attended one year of college.
June 20, 1929, he married Thelma Ann Freeman, daughter of Chester Ekerly and Met t a Emma (Pouch) Freeman. Mrs. Olmsted was born July 2, 1907, near New Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Olmstead have two children: Joe Dean, born Sept. 17, 1931, and Janet Ann, born March 7, 1934. Janet has contributed her musical ability to the Methodist Church at New Virginia.
Mr. Olmsted has operated his place of business in New Virginia 24 years. Mrs. Olmstead is a granddaughter of Elza and Hannah McIntosh Freeman, one of Virginia township's very early families. At one time Mr. Freeman and sons Ekerly and Eran were engaged in buying and shipping livestock for market in Warren, Madison and Clarke counties, with headquarters at New Virginia. Mr. Olmsted spent two years in school and radio tube construction in World War II in Chicago. The Olmsted family is of the Methodist faith, and are interested in community welfare.— (A.E.S.) [written by Alden Edward Smalley]