CO-ROOTS-L Archives

From: "Maggie Stewart" <>
Subject: FRED E. OLIN.
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 02:43:26 -0500

"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J.
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II

p. 444, 446
photo p. 445



FRED E. OLIN.


Fred E. Olin, president of the board of city commissioners, is
numbered among that class of office holders who strongly promote public
stability and uphold the legal status by their endorsement of every
plan and measure that seeks the upbuilding of the community along lines
of permanent worth and value. Pueblo classes him among its foremost
representatives and honors him as a public-spirited man. Mr. Olin is a
native of the state of New York, his birth having occurred in Canton,
St. Lawrence county, on the 22d of November, 1861. He is a son of
William M. and Charlotte (Smith) Olin. The father was a farmer by
occupation and was descended from one of the old Puritan families of
New England, established in that section of the country in pioneer
times.

Fred E. Olin is the youngest in a family of eight children. The
Empire state afforded him his educational privileges, for he attended
the public schools until he had mastered the branches of learning
taught in the high school of Madrid, New York. He was a young man of
twenty-three years when in 1884 he. severed home ties that bound him to
New York and made his way to the west, attracted by the opportunities
offered in this great and growing section of the country. He took up
his abode in Pueblo and for twelve years was engaged in the dairy
business, which he successfully and intelligently handled, gaining a
liberal patronage in that connection. At length, however, he disposed
of his dairy and turned his attention to the undertaking and livery
business, which be later also sold. He then became connected with the
grocery trade at No. 503 Abriendo avenue, where he has been located for
the past sixteen years. In the meantime he has built up a trade of
large and extensive proportions. He has ever been straightforward,
honorable and progressive in his dealings and his earnest desire to
please his patrons has brought to him a patronage which is well
deserved. His business is now managed by his son, C. Howard Olin.

In 1882 Mr. Olin was united in marriage to Miss Ettie E. Gates, a
daughter of Arba Gates, and to them have been born three children, but
Fred B., the second child, passed away at the age of nineteen years,
his death being the occasion of deep and widespread regret to his
youthful friends and to all who knew him. The others are Mabel L. and
C. Howard.

Mr. Olin has made for himself a favorable place in public regard
during the long years of his residence in Pueblo. Aside from his
connection with the grocery trade he is known in business circles as a
director of the Bank of Pueblo and is a self-made man who deserves much
credit for what he has accomplished. He has never allowed obstacles or
difficulties to bar his path, but has regarded them rather as an
impetus for renewed effort on his part, and by reason of close
application and earnest purpose has won a substantial measure of
prosperity. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and
is very prominent in the order, having held the office of grand inner
guard and master of arms of the grand lodge of the state. He is now a
past chancellor of Pueblo Lodge, No. 52. His religious faith is that of
the Congregational church, to the teachings of which he has been most
loyal, and for several years he has served as one of the trustees of
the church. His political allegiance has always been given to the
republican party and in the fall of 1915 he was elected to the office
of city commissioner for a four years' term and is serving as president
of the board. In this connection he is endeavoring to save all needless
expenditure to the taxpayers by a businesslike administration and at
the same time his official service is marked by a progressiveness that
accomplishes results beneficial to all. For more than a third of a
century he has been a resident of Pueblo, during which time he has
witnessed a remarkable growth and development and at all times has
borne his part in the work of general improvement and progress. His
memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the
progressive present and the worth of his work as a business man and as
a citizen is widely acknowledged. He has never made the attainment of
wealth the sole end and aim of his life, but has ever found time for
cooperation in those interests which affect the general welfare and
which promote individual uplift.

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• FRED E. OLIN. by "Maggie Stewart" <>