Olmsted, Edwin B
educator, clergyman, inventor, was born Aug. 20, 1826, in Sidney, N. Y. He received his education at the Franklin institute, New York. He has been superintendent of schools of Akron, Ohio, and several other places, north and south; has been pastor of Arcade, N. Y., and other baptist churches. He was the first inventor of paper bag machines, and also invented machines for making envelopes for wrapping and packing tobacco, starch and like articles; and for making various other kinds of boxes.
He designed and superintended the construction of the dead letter office at Washington, D. C. He was city editor of the Daily National Intelligencer of Washington, D. C., until its suspension, when he became editor-in-chief of the Saturday Evening Visitor. During the war he became captain of company H, fourth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and was mustered out by reason of wounds received in the service. OLMSTED, ELIZABETH MARTHA, journalist, poet, was born Dec. 31, 1825, in Caledonia, N. Y. For several years she taught school in Canandaigua, N. Y., and at the Ingham university. She has contributed extensively both prose and verse to the New York Independent, and the leading newspapers and magazines in America. During the civil war she wrote many spirited lyrics, among which are the well-known Our Boys Going to the War; The Clarion; and the Upas.