Bennington

OLIN, Gideon & John H.

Biographical Note on Gideon OLIN (father of John H.)

Vermont Historical Magazine, No. XI, October 1867, p 234
(extracted from a section on the history of Shaftsbury, Bennington County, 
Vermont)

Gideon OLIN was born in 1743 in Rhode Island, and removing to Shaftsbury 
[Bennington County, Vermont] in 1776, became one of the founders of the 
State; was appointed Major of a militia regiment under Col. HERRICK and Lt. 
Col. Ebenezer WALBRIDGE 06 June 1778, and was afterwards in actual service as 
such on the frontiers on several occasions, during the war. Was one of the 
Coucilors of State in 1793, 1794, 1795 and 1796, being chosen and serving 
four years in succession; represented Shaftsbury in the General Assembly in 
1778, and onward for fifteen years with but two or three intermissions; was 
Speaker of the House through seven sessions of Legislature; Assistant Judge 
of the Bennington County Court in 1781, and onward for twenty years in 
succession, with the exception of 1798 and 1799; in 1807, 1808, 1809, and 
1810, was Chief Justice of the County Court; was Representative in Congress 
two terms, from 1803 to 1807. Gideon OLIN was one of the firmest supporters 
of the State; possessed great natural talents, an intuitive knowledge of 
mankind, was nobly free in his opinions, and decided in his conduct. He 
[Gideon OLIN] died in January 1823 at Shaftsbury [Bennington County, Vermont].



Biographical Note on John H. OLIN (son of Gideon)

Vermont Historical Magazine, No. XI, October 1867, p 237
(extracted from a section on the history of Shaftsbury, Bennington County, 
Vermont)

Hon. John H. OLIN was born 12 October 1772 in Rhode Island, son of Gideon 
OLIN; came to Shaftsbury [Bennington County, Vermont] in his father's family 
in 1776, and [John H. OLIN] died here 17 June 1860. He was a upright, 
intelligent man, and for many years occupied a prominent position in the 
affairs of the county. He was two years Judge and Probate and eight, from 
1817 to 1825, Judge of the County Court. Both his mental and physical powers 
continued in great vigor to the last. A few days before his death, in his 
eighty-eighth year, he visited his daughter in Bennington [Bennington County, 
Vermont], and also his old friend Samuel FAY, Esq., who still survives, and 
is a few months the elder.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly