Henry H. Olds

    Henry H. Olds, proprietor of the "Eureka House," was born in this county June 6, 1840, where he was reared and has made a home. George W. Olds, father of our subject, was born in Connecticut, January 11, 1810. He came early to this county, where he married, June 6, 1834, Miss Eliza A. Wall, who died August 18, 1842, leaving two children -William (deceased) and Henry H. He next married, August 10, 1843, Miss Louisa Rudicel, which union gave being to five children -Harriet E., Francis A. (deceased), Charles W., Lina E. and Eliza Ann (deceased). Mr. Olds was a carpenter, and worked many years threat. He built the first steam saw and grist mills in the town -the former in 1848, the latter in 1858.

    In July, 1861, Henry H. Olds enlisted in Company K, Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which regiment was assigned to the Fifteenth Army Corps, marching to Newport News and thence to New Orleans. He was in many skirmishes, and was wounded in the battle of Baton Rouge, which wound was severe, shattering a bone and making him a cripple. He served three years, was promoted to a First Lieutenancy, and resigned on the death of his father.

    February 20, 1863, he married Sarah Koons, who died October 8, 1872, the mother of three children -Butler (deceased), William A. and Perry. He next married Mrs. Alice Raniez November 23, 1873, and that year he sold his farm interest, moved to Martinsville, worked at carpentering, and in 1880 became landlord of the "Eureka House." Mr. Olds is a Freemason, a member of the G. A. R., and a Republican by which party he was elected November, 1882, County Recorder.

Source: Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. Charles Blanchard, Editor. F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.