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(5515) (Hon.) ARTHUR GEORGE OLMSTED, Coudersport, Pa. b. at Masonville, N. Y., Sept. 30, 1827; m. May 8, 1860, Ellen Ross; b. Nov. 5, 1835; dau. of David and Mary Ann (Knight) Ross. She is a sister of the Hon. Sobieski Ross, late Member of Congress. Mr. A. G. Olmsted moved to Ulysses, Pa., at the age of nine years, and to Coudersport, Pa., in 1848. He studied law in the office of Hon. John S. Mann and was admitted to practice in 1849. He held the office of Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for three years; was a Member of the Penn State Legislature three years, the last year being Speaker thereof. He was also a Member for three years of the Penn State Senate; served by appointment as Assistant Law Judge of Montgomery County, Pa., for one year. A Lawyer of extensive reputation and practice.
7081, Ellen; b. July 19, 1861; m. William F. DuBois.
7082, Robert +.
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(No. 5515) Page 305 - ARTHUR GEORGE OLMSTED
Mr. Olmsted is a son of Daniel and Lucy A. (Scofield) Olmsted; was born September 3, 1827, at Masonville, Delaware County, New York. When he was nine years of age, he moved with his parents to Potter County, Pennsylvania, and there lived and worked upon his father's farm at what came to be known as " Olmsted's Comers," about two miles from the present town of Ulysses. The common, or district, school and a short experience at Coudersport Academy afforded all his educational advantages, but he made excellent use of them and also burned the midnight oil at home; and thus, by industry and close application, became eventually a well educated and well informed young man. At twenty years of age he removed to Coudersport, the county seat, and there read law with Hon. John S. Mann, and was admitted to the bar January 12, 1850, passing a very successful examination at the hands of Isaac Benson, Carlton B. Curtis and James Lowery, who comprised his examining committee. The same year he was elected District Attorney of Potter County and served with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. His exceptionally large vocabulary, happy choice of words and almost faultless rhetoric, combined with an impressive and pleasing manner in addressing juries and political and other assemblages, soon made him a popular speaker, as well as a very successful lawyer. His practice soon widened out and extended to numerous other counties. In his own county he was identified with nearly every important case on the calendar and was soon recognized as a leading lawyer throughout all Northern Pennsylvania.
In 1862 he was elected to the State Legislature to represent Tioga and Potter Counties, and having been re-elected, served in that capacity for three successive terms. In 1865 he was chosen and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania. In 1868 he was elected to the State Senate, where he took an important part and served with distinguished ability. He was appointed by Governor John F. Hartranft to be President Judge of the district comprising the counties of Bucks and McKean, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of the former incumbent. His services upon the bench were so satisfactory that there was an earnest desire on the part not only of the bar, but of the people generally, to elect him for the full term, if he would consent to move into the district. He declined to do so, however, preferring to return to his home and to his practice in Northern Pennsylvania. In 1874 he was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor, but that was an " off year " for the Republican party, the Democrats electing all State officers and capturing the Legislature as well.
In 1882 he was elected Additional Law Judge for the Fourth Judicial District, composed of the Counties of Potter, Tioga and McKean. By subsequent legislation the district was divided and he became the President Judge for the Forty-eighth District, comprising Potter and McKean Counties. At the expiration of his first term he was re-elected and served the second term of ten years, when he voluntarily retired, declining to be a candidate for re-election. His second election was practically unanimous and his judicial service at all times eminently satisfactory and highly commended by the public generally. He was active and energetic in the disposition of the business of the Court. He was a very patient listener, but quick to act and rule. When he first came to the bench, the business of the court was several years behind, but, by holding extra sessions and keeping attorneys and litigants busy in the dispatch of business, he soon brought it up to date and kept it there. During his administration the wheels of justice ran very smoothly and satisfactory. It may truthfully be said that for more than twenty years, he exemplified in the highest degree the attributes of judgeship which, as defined by Socrates, are "to hear courteously, answer wisely, consider soberly, decide impartially."
The extensive and lucrative practice which he enjoyed previous to his elevation to the bench, aided by fortunate investments in timber, gas and other properties, placed him in possession of a comfortable fortune. Since his retirement from the bench, he has devoted his time to the management of his own affairs and to the development of improvements for the public good in which he has always been foremost. He was very active in securing the building of the railroad which now connects Coudersport with the outer world. He organized the Citizens Water Company, of which he was made President; was instrumental in organizing the Citizens Gas Company, the Citizens Safe Deposit & Trust Company, in the erection of the Soldiers' Monument, also in organizing the Coudersport Library, to which he donated a brick library
building; in 1908 he gave to the community a large two-story building for the use of the hose company. At the time of this writing, he is living in his luxurious home in Coudersport and, thanks to a temperate and well ordered life, is well preserved even in his eighty-fifth year.
