(5091) (Rev.) JOHN WESLEY OLMSTED, D.D., Boston, Mass. b. Nov. 13, 1816; d. Aug. 30, 1891 ; m. Sept. 4, 1837, Mary Livingston; ...
Rev. John Wesley Olmsted, Editor of the Watchman, the organ of the Baptists of New England, died in Manchester-by-the-Sea, aged seventy-four years. Mr. Olmsted had been in ill health for some months, having never recovered from a severe attack of la grippe. He was born in Saratoga County, N.Y., His parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. When he was converted, his convictions led him to the Baptists.
He attended Johnstown Academy; and the honorary degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him in 1855 by Yale College and that of Doctor of Divinity by Rochester University in 1863. His first pastorate was at Little Falls, N. Y., in 1837, where he remained five years. He then became Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Chelsea, remaining there five years. In 1846 he became Editor of the Christian Reflector of Boston, which in 1848 was consolidated with the Christian Watchman, under the title of the Watchman and Reflector. Dr. Olmsted remained as the Editor of the paper until 1875, when the Christian Era was merged into the Watchman and Reflector. In 1876 the title of the paper was changed to the Watchman. Dr. Olmsted was then made Associate Editor with Rev. Dr. Franklin Johnson and Rev. Dr. George C. Lorimer. In 1877 Dr. Olmsted retired from the editorial staff with health somewhat broken. After a period of rest he established in New York City a weekly Journal, the Watch Tower, which he conducted for three years, at the end of which time he relinqmshed it to take his former position as Editor of the Watchman. This position he held until failing health compelled him to retire from active duties, and he became Editor emeritus. — Boston Post.
