Born in a covered wagon train while enroute to California in the year 1853, Perry Olmsted is listed among El Monte’s early settlers. With but meager records of his people, it is stated that Mr. Olmsted’s parents came from Pennsylvania, locating first upon their arrival in California in the northern part of the State. In 1895, Perry Olmsted came to El Monte from Antelope Valley, where he had engaged for a number of years in raising grain. He acquired a tract of land on Peck Road, near the Killian Ranch and developed a fine walnut grove, on which he lived for many years. Later he became a builder, erecting many homes in this community. At the inauguration of a rural free delivery from El Monte, Mr. Olmsted became the first carrier. Records of his marriage are not available, other than that Mrs. Olmsted died in January of 1936. To them were born two daughters, Alice (Mrs. Long) of Monrovia, and Mary (Mrs. Hubbs) of Los Angeles, and a son George, of Los Angeles. Mr. Olmsted died in March of 1936.
Source: C. D. Mayon, F. Brow, L. Stoddard, and C. Mudd; El Monte from the Pioneer Days. WPA Project No. N-5740, 1936. In record 19-187072. (California Historical Landmark No. 765: El Monte). On file at the SCCIC, CSU Fullerton.