MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 399
submitted by Charlene Nichols Hixon, Oct. 3, 2007

DIED.

OLDS.—At his home in Nichols, January 26 1894, of general debility, GAMALIEL OLDS, in his 91st year.

The deceased had been seriously ill only since Tuesday night, though he had been for some time suffering from the infirmities of age. The deceased was born in Windham county, Vermont, Nov. 28, 1803. In 1821 he removed to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and in the spring of 1832 removed to Pickaway county, in the same state, where remained until the spring of 1839, when he removed with his family to Iowa, settling in Pike township, this county, there being then only five other families in the county. Here he acquired by entry and purchase 316 acres of land and for a number f years he engaged in farming. He was chosen one of the first justices of the peace in the township, in which office he served eleven years. He was also county drainage commissioner for four years.

Mr. Olds was married to Minerva Howe in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, April 12, 1826. She shared pioneer life with him and many years afterward, dying January 26, 1876, leaving three children, Almira S. Mills, Minnie H. Cone and Gamaliel W. Mrs. Mills died in 1884. Mrs. Cone lives in Vineland, N. J., and G. W. Olds in Fargo, N. D. There are eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren of the deceased now living. He was married a second time in 1881 to Mrs. Harriet Metcalf, who gently smoothed the weary pathway of his old age. His death was peaceful, and after a long and useful life he has been “gathered like a shock of corn fully ripe.”

The funeral took place Saturday, interment being made at Lone Tree.

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