My Genealogy Hound

TOWNSEND OLIN, a native of Vermont, was born July 14, 1822, being the fourth in a family of five children born to Reynolds and Mary (Townsend) Olin, natives of Vermont and Massachusetts. The fall of 1823 the family immigrated to Warrick County, Ind.; locating near the present home of our subject, where Mr. Olin operated a tan-yard and saw-mill for about nine years. He then removed to Newburgh and began the erection of a saw-mill but before its completion died of cholera, June 21, 1833. Mrs. Olin died August 21, 1831. Shortly after the death of his father Townsend Olin went to Rockport and began the tanner’s trade, but a year later returned to Warrick County and was bound out by his guardian to a farmer, remaining with him only a short time. He then worked on the canal a year, but after that attended school a few months in and near Rockport. Returning to Warrick County he lived with Calvin Butler, of whom he learned surveying, besides fitting himself for the teacher’s profession. After teaching a few months he returned to his native State, obtained some money from his father’s estate and returning to Indiana purchased his present farm. In 1848 he moved on his place and since that time has followed farming and teaching, the latter occupying his attention over six years. Since 1880 he has confined his attention to farming and looking after the welfare of his guests, who come in large numbers to attest the medicinal properties of St. Ronan’s Well, which has become widely known and justly celebrated. Mr. Olin is a Republican and he and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. October 10, 1847, his marriage with Margaret P., daughter of Benjamin Seely, a native of Vermont and an early settler of this county, was solemnized. One son—Chauncey M., born November 14, 1865—is the result of their union.