Orange

OLMSTEAD, Alner Allyn

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 288-289 
(portrait p 288)

Alner Allyn OLMSTEAD, of South Newbury [Orange County, Vermont], was born 15 
June 1850 at Newbury [Orange County, Vermont], son of Isaac H. and S. Ann 
(ALLYN) OLMSTEAD. He is of English-Scotch descent. He received his 
education at Newbury Seminary and Vermont Methodist Seminary at Montpelier 
[Washington County]. In 1871 he commenced the study of law with Orrin GAMBELL 
of Bradford [Orange County], but on account of difficulty with his eyes he 
was compelled to abandon his hopes of entering that profession, and formed a 
partnership with his father for the manufacture of chairs, which trade he had 
learned in his minority. This business connection continued until the death 
of his father [Isaac H. OLMSTEAD] in 1878.

The next year Mr. [Alner Allyn] OLMSTEAD built a large and commodious chair 
factory, costing about $6,000; since that time has successfully conducted the 
business, with the addition of lumber and furniture trade; is a farmer and 
breeder of blooded horses, of which he is a great lover, owns twelve at 
present. He is enterprising and possesses a marked degree of will power. He 
is a director, treasurer, and manager of the Orange County Canning Company, 
which he was instrumental in organizing. Democrat. Although his town is 
strongly Republican, in 1890 he was elected a member of the General Assembly, 
a position not held in Newbury by a Democrat since Henry KEYES, thirty-five 
years before. He served on the committee on manufacturing and the joint 
special committee of the World's Fair; gained the reputation of a prudent and 
careful legislator; won the confidence and esteem of his associates; 
re-elected in 1892; served on the committee of grand list; staunch temperance 
advocate, and was placed on the committee of temperance, where he did good 
work. On 05 May 1892, at Democratic state convention in Montpelier, was 
chosen a member of the Vermont Democratic state committee; now holds that 
position. On 13 June 1893, J. Sterling MERTON, Secretary of Agriculture in 
Mr. CLEVELAND's cabinet, appointed Mr. OLMSTEAD as state statistical agent 
for Vermont, at a salary of $600 per year.

Mr. OLMSTEAD joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1870, and he has 
been an active member, officer and liberal supporter since. He was made a 
Mason in 1874, and is now a Royal Arch Mason. On 27 May 1880, at South 
Newbury [Orange County, Vermont] he [Alner Allyn OLMSTEAD] married Miss 
Jennie J., daughter of John and Susan C. (FULLER) THOMPSON, a noble Christian 
woman, "who did him good and not evil all the days of her life." She [Jennie 
J. (THOMPSON) OLMSTEAD] died 25 December 1889.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly