Person:Elmer Olmsted (1)

OLMSTED, Elmer Devando, physician and mayor of Spokane, Wash., was born in Davenport, Delaware co., N.Y., June 6, 1848, son of Stephen S. and Clara S. (McMorris) Olmsted. His parents removed to Victoria, Ill., in 1856, and there his father engaged in the manufacture of furniture, also devoting a portion of his time to a general merchandise store in which he was interested. At the age of eighty-seven years he is still living at the old homestead, an honored member of the community that has so long known him. Elmer D. Olmsted, the ninth in a family of eleven sons and daughters, early conceived a desire to study medicine. This determination, after the elementary education in the common schools of Illinois, led him, in 1876, to enter the Missouri Homeopathic Medical College, St. Louis, where after two years of earnest application he was graduated. He commenced practice in Illinois; following his profession in that state for nine years. He then removed to Spokane, Wash., where in a few years his native talent, indomitable perseverance and courteous demeanor placed him among the foremost physicians in the state, and a large and lucrative practice rewarded his efforts. He is a member of the Homeopathic State Medical Society, of which he was at one time president. In 1894 he read before it a most ably-written thesis, "Hygiene and Sanitation," which won him wide reputation among his fellow-practitioners. He is also a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy. His high position in the community has occasioned his election to several public offices. In 1894 he was appointed one of the U.S. board of pension examiners, and in 1895 became a member of the board of health of the city of Spokane. He is now president of the board of trustees of the Cheney Normal School, a state institution, which occupies a prominent place in the educational facilities of the northwest. Dr. Olmsted has been equally distinguished by honors conferred upon him by the Masonic fraternity, and for nine years occupied the chairs in the blue lodge. He is a member of the York and Scottish Rite, and vice-president of the Pacific Coast Masonic Veteran Association. For three terms he has been commander-in-chief of the Oriental consistory, 32d degree, and in October, 1895, he was elected to the honorable position of knight-commander of the Court of Honor. His notable services to the city and his high professional and personal popularity, led to his nomination for the mayoralty of Spokane on the Citizens' ticket in 1897, and he was elected by the largest majority ever given to any candidate for the office. In 1881 Dr. Olmsted was married at Plymouth, Ill., to Emma, daughter of John Sutton of Virginia, a member of one of the oldest families of that state. Mrs. Olmsted is descended from Capt. Aaron McKee, a soldier in the revolution, and is a member of the Society of the Daughters of the Revolution.

DR. ELMER DE VANDO OLMSTED, one of the leading physicians of Spokane, Washington, has his pleasant office in the Zeigler Block, corner of Riverside avenue and Howard street. He has been identified with the interests of this busy, growing town since December, 1887, and is therefore entitled to some personal consideration within the pages of this work. Dr. Olmsted was born Davenport, Delaware county, New York, in 1848, and is a son of Stephen S. and Clara E. (McMorris) Olmsted, both natives of the Empire State. They had a family of eleven children, he being the ninth born. His father, a farmer and dairyman in New York, left that State in 1856 and went to Victoria, Illinois, where he engaged in the manufacture of furniture and also had a store, and for eight years was Postmaster. He still resides in Victoria, where he is highly esteemed by all who know him. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife passed away several years ago. The Doctor's early education was gained in the schools of Illinois, where he lived for several years. After giving his attention to medicine for some time, he entered the Missouri Homeopathic College at St. Louis, in 1876, receiving his diploma in 1878. Settling at Plymouth, Illinois, almost immediately after graduation, he began practice. Upon coming West and locating in Spokane, Dr. Olmsted at once built up an excellent practice here. He is regarded as one of the most skillful homeopathists in the State, and probably has the largest practice of any physician in Spokane. He is a member of the State and County Medical Societies, and while his professional duties require his chief attention, be also has time for social demands. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, having taken the higher degrees of that order, and while in the East was Master of the lodge to which he belonged. He is also a member of the A.O.U.W. The Doctor owns valuable real-estate in Spokane, and during the great fire of 1889 he lost heavily. He is one of the directors in the Citizensí National Bank. Dr. Olmsted has been twice married. In 1868 he wedded Miss Ella Lang, a native of Illinois, who died in 1873, leaving two children, namely: Atna L., wife of Burton Taylor; and Carrie Edna, wife of Fred N. Taylor. In 1881 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Sutton, who is also a native of Illinois.

7140, Elmer D. (M.D.), Plymouth, Ill.; b. June 6, 1849; m. Apr. 15, 1869, Ellen Laing, of Plymouth, Ill.