Isaac L. Olmstead was
born in Wilton township, Fairfied Co., Conn., May 13, 1802, died March 16
1892. Had he lived until May he would have been 90 years of age. He was the
son of David and Rebecca Jackson Olmstead, who removed to the vicinity of
Ithca, New York, when that city was but a small hamlet. Mr. Olmstead was
brought up on a farm of his father's.
He was married in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Feb. 27, 1823, to Miss Elnora Owens,
who died at Shabbona Grove, May 24, 1852. Of this Union there were seven
children two of who are living. Aaron, residing in Iowa and Harmon in
Dakota. Mr. Olmstead was again married at Somonauk (now Sandwich) Nov. 14,
1852, to Mrs. Maritta Witherspoon, widow of Rev. Fredrick N. Witherspoon. Of
this union there were three children, Mary E., who reside at Garavanza,
California, Lewis M., at Shabbona Grove and Fredrick J., who died at Beloit,
Colorado, Dec. 1st, 1889.
He removed to this state by team and wagon in 1837 and located in LaSalle
County. In August 1838 he came to Shabbona. The county was not surveyed and
the town contained only two families, those of Mr. E. Town and Nathan
Olmstead, his brother. Since removing to the town he has always resided on
the farm on which he first settled. Ten years ago last February Mr. Olmstead
met with a severe accident which affected his nervous system and he has been a
constant sufferer since. He was a man of very strict religious principles.
He accepted the Saviour in his youth and has always been a conscientious
Christian. He was a member of the Protestant Methodist church until he united
with the the Congregational church of Shabbona.