About Mr. George Alger

In our last week’s issue we had a short account of the death of Mr. George B. Alger, who settled in Olathe in 1859, and since then we have learned some more points in connection with his life from his nephew, Frank Nelson, son of Mrs. M.C. Nelson. Mr., Alger’s sister, who is in her 95th year and is the oldest woman in Olathe.

Mr. Alger was just past 87 years of age, and was born in Rockport,, Indiana, coming to Kansas in ’57 with his mother, two brothers and a sister. One brother was killed in Kansas City, just after the war, while the other died on his return from the army.

Mr. Alger’s father died when he was a baby, but his mother lived until 1891, when she died at the age of 85. Mr. Alger was a member of the state militia and was right here when Quantrill raided Olathe. Quantrill got his horse, but luckily Mr. Alger escaped.

He was the first ice cream manufacturer in Olathe, operating this in the summer time and converting it to an oyster parlor in the winter. He was also the first to deliver ice from house to house.

Mr. Alger was in business here when the saloons were closed. Ge often told how they quit business at 12 o’clock New Years eve, and what a big time there was. Several men had killed game and asked Alger to prepare a game supper at the place of his business. There was a great demonstration when the saloons closed. Mr. Alger was a fisherman and hunter and enjoyed the sport.

When he built his ice house, he also built the north pond at the City Water Works. The council gave him a lease on both, but later, had him move his ice house to the south pond and gave him all privilege in connection with ice making.

For a number of years he was on the city council and much to do with the early history making Olathe. He was a member of the Odd fellows lodge and was a business man who held the respect of everyone and was well liked by everyone.

His wife died eight years ago. There were never any children. His step-daughter, Mrs. Julia Woodworth, who was Julia Osgood as a girl, was the first white child born in Olathe.

Rev, F.C. Everitt of the Presbyterian church conducted the funeral service at Julien’s Chapel at 2:30 Saturday, April 30, and the body was laid to rest in the Olathe cemetery.

Olathe Mirror, May 4, 1927

(located in Addition 1, Block 125, Lot 3, half e5)

"Obituary provided by Kenneth Roe; Death of Mr. George Alger. The death of Mr. George Alger occured Thursday in his 87th year. The funeral service was held at Julien's Chapel at 2 o'clock Saturday, April 23, conducted by Rev. F.C. Everitts. Burial was made in the Olathe cemetery. Mr. Alger came here in '57 and was one of the two dozen or more who came at that early date. During the civil war he was in the state militia. Mr. Alger was Olathe's first ice man and first ice cream manufacturer. This was in the early eighties. He built a big ice house out by the water works and put up and delivered his ice foryears from this place. Surviving is his sister Mrs. M.C. Nelson, age 95, the oldest woman in Olathe. The full obituary of Mr. Alger will appear in the Olathe Mirror next week.; ; In our last week's issue we had a short account of the death of Mr. George B. Alger, who settled in Olathe in 1859, and since then we have learned some more points in connection with his life from his nephew. Frank Nelson, son of Mrs. M.C. Nelson, Mr. Alger's sister, who is in her 95th year and is the oldest woman in Olathe. Mr. Alger was just past 87 years of age, and was born at Rockport, Indiana, coming to Kansas in '57, with his mother, two brothers and a sister. One brother was killed in Kansas City just after the war, while the other died on his return from the army. Mr. Alger's father died when he was a baby, but his mother lived until 1891, when she died at the age of 85. Mrs. Alger was a member of the state militia and was right here when Quantrill raided Olathe. Quantrill got his horse, but luckily Mr. Alger escaped. He was the first ice cream manufacturer in Olathe, operating this in the summer time and converting it into an oyster parlor in the winter. He was also the first to deliver ice from house to house. Mr. Alger was in business here when the saloons were closed. He often told about how they quit business at 12 o'clock, New Years eve and what a big time there was. Several men had killed game and asked Mr. Alger to prepare a game supper at his place of business. There was a great demonstration when the soloons closed. Mr. Alger was a fisherman and hunter and enjoyed the sport. When he build his ice house, he also built the north pond at the City Water Works. the council gave him a lease on both, but later, had him move his ice house to the south pond and game him all the privilege in connection with ice making. For a number of years he was on the city council and had much to do with the early history making in Olathe. He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and was a businessm man who held the respect of everyone and was well liked by everyone. His wife died eight years ago. there were never any children. His step daughter, Mrs. Julia Woodworth, who was Julia Osgood as a girl, was the first white child born in Olathe. Rev. F.C. Everitt of the Presbyterian church conducted the funeral service at Julien's Chapel at 2:30 Saturday, April 30, and the body was laid to rest in the Olathe cemetery.; (Newspaper Clippings, Olathe Public Library - Morrison: April 1927)"