[ Biographies Page ]

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The Olds Family

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My Olds family was one of those early pioneer families that was on the move.

George W. Olds was born ca1810 in New York State, according to the 1850 Iowa Census.

George first shows up in the 1840 Indiana Census in Morgan co, living with him at the time were: one son under the age of 5; his wife, between the ages of 20 and 30. The boy was probably Isaac, having been born in 1839.

Another son, John, was born in Indiana in 1842. By the following year, the family was living in Illinois, where son James was born. By 1846, when daughter Nancy was born, they were living in Iowa. Son, George was also born there ca1849.

George was a registered voter by 1848, in Iowa. On March 3, 1849, he had purchased land in Cedar twp, from James A. Cunnningham. The land was in two sections, near Troy Creek. Troy Creek is in a deep ravine, which gets wide and wild in a big rain. The larger of the two sections was partly level but poor quality farm land, not rich soil. the smaller section was poor pastureland, with timber and brush. Early pioneers needed timber for the wood. (See Map)

According to the 1850 Census, they lived in Cedar twp, Jefferson co, Iowa. He was a farmer with his land valued at $700. He and his wife, Anna (b.ca1811 in Ohio), had the four younger children living with them. Isaac was living in Fairfield with an aunt and uncle, George and Electra Wilkinson. It was not uncommon in those days for the oldest child to live with other relatives if the family was unable to care for all of their children.

On December 15, 1951, George sold his land to Jesse Shelly, from that point, he and his family seem to have left the area, and his trail has not been picked up to date. It appears thought that Isaac remained with his aunt and uncle.

Sources:
Verda Baird, Fairfield, IA
1840 Indiana Census
1850 Iowa Census
Land records, IA
Voter registration, IA

Isaac W. Olds was born to George and Anna Olds in Putnam co, Indiana, in 1839.

There, in 1842, a brother, John was born. By the following year, in 1843, the family was living in Illinois, where another brother, James was born. By 1848, they were living in Iowa. Sister, nancy was born in 1848, and brother George was born in 1849.

George's father bought two sections of land in Cedar twp, Jefferson co, IA, in 1849. The 1850 census shows the family living there. Isaac, however, was living with an uncle and aunt, George and Electra Wilkinson. Isaac's father sold his land in 1851 and moved out of the area. Isaac, it appears, remained with his uncle. It is unknown why exactly he did not follow his family, but in those it was not uncommon for the eldest to stay with relatives. many times, the family was unable to care for all of their children. *I do not know if Electra was a sister of George or Anna, or if George Wilk. was a brother of Anna*

Before the Civil War, Isaac earned a living as a stage driver. Isaac had a light complexion, grey/hazel eyes, with light hair, standing at 5' 9".

On May 6, 1861, Isaac enlisted, serving as a wagoneer in Co E, 2nd Iowa Inf, mustering on May 28, 1861. He re-enlisted and re-mustered, December 23, 1863. During his service he was detailed as division teamster; post-ambulance drive in Mississippi; special duty; and he detailed in ambulance corps. In the last of June 1864, in front of Atlanta, Georgia, he first became aware of a kind of tumor protruding on the right side of his back. He believed this was caused by carrying a knapsack or straining himself in the line of duty. He mustered out July 12, 1865 in Louisville, Kentucky.

On April 24, 1874, Isaac showed his occupation a laborer in the livery stable at Fairfield, Iowa.

On October 9, 1865, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Isaac married Catherine Davis, daughter of Elias and Elizabeth Davis. They had two children. Clara May was born February 226, 1965/6? If in 1865, that would put her birth before the wedding date. If in 1866, they would have been married only 5 months. At the time, they were living in Fairfield, Iowa. Mary Emma was born in Van Buren co, Iowa, in 1868. The couple separated and divorced in October 8, 1875. Isaac had very little contact with his family thereafter. Catherine remarried in 1882 to John U. Cowan. It is believed that Mr. Cowan adopted the Olds girls. though no official records have as yet been found.

The 1880 census shows 42 year old Isaac living with his uncle George Wilkinson. George died in 1883.

In 1885, in Fairfield, a reunion of the second Iowa Infantry gathered which Isaac participated. (see excerpts of "The Reunion")

Isaac remarried. On June 10, 11886 when he wed Catherine Sophia Wiley Jennings, daughter of Eli and Jane (Stanley) Wiley, widow of Frances M. Jenning. Catherine had two children from her previous marriage. Isaac and Catherine had no children.

Isaac was listed as being a vet. surgeon.

Isaac W. Olds died March 10, 1899 in Putnam co, Missouri.

Sources:
"Civil War Soldiers", Fairfield, IA
Jefferson co, IA Marriages 1880-1899
Isaac Olds / Catherine Olds marriage record
Isaac Olds / Catherine Jennings marriage record
Article "The Reunion", Fairfield Tribune, October 8, 1885
Military pension papers
1850 IA census
1880 IA census