One of the first settlers of Clayton County was born in Fairfax, Franklin County, Vermont, on the 27th day of March 1819, son of Timothy Olmsted and Eunice, nee Page, the former a native of Litchfield, Connecticut. The subject of this memoir was reared on farm and received a common school education. In 1839 he left his home in Vermont and came West, spending his first winter in Prairie du Chien, and in the spring of 1840 came to Clayton County, and located in Monona Township on what is known as the Cold Spring, in company with his brother David, being the first settlers in the northern portion of the county. They shortly afterward erected a cabin and broke the first prairie in Monona Township. Remaining until the following May they sold their original claim and located where the village of Monona now stands. Phineas built a cabin in the northwest quarter of section 13, his brother David claiming the southeast quarter of section 11. Phineas sold his claim and claimed the northeast quarter of section 13. He afterward traded with his brother for the southeast quarter of section 11, where he erected the first frame house in Monona, it being the only one north of Guttenberg. After making the trade he entered into partnership with C. B. Guy, building the first blacksmith shop. In July, 1852, he moved to his present farm of 580 acres. In December, 1843, he married Hannah Rowe, a daughter of Frederick Rowe, of Moriah, New York. Mr. Olmsted has held several local offices of trust, was Supervisor for twenty years, and in 1866 was elected to the State Legislature, where he represented his district with honor.