File:John Merwin Oldrin (1836-1903) obituary in the Times Union of Brooklyn, New York City on July 25, 1903.jpg

John Merwin Oldrin. John Merwin Oldrin. who died last night in New York, was one of Sea Cliff's pioneer residents and a native born Long Islander. He claimed as his birthplace Westhampton, Long Island. His father, the Rev. Edward Oldrin, a Methodist minister, was a native of the South of England, but who came to this country early in his career. Mr. Oldrin was the eldest of the family, and his father, who believed In the advantages of a good education, did all in his power to see that his son got it. He completed his studies at the New York conference Seminary at Charlottesville, North Carolina and entered at once on his chosen career as a teacher. Oldrin taught for a number of years in different parts of Ulster County, and later returned to his native place, choosing, however, to loon to In Hempstead. He was a resident of East Rockaway, teaching in the school there and also of Hempstead. While residing in this section he was elected clerk of the town of Hempstead, village clerk of Hempstead, and also village trustee. While he was serving as town clerk the transfer of the Hempstead Plains was made to A. T. Stewart, and Mr. Oldrin took a prominent part in the transfer. About twenty-three years ago Mr. Oldrin moved to Sea Cliff. His wife dying shortly after he came here, he married Miss Eva S. Rogers, of Babylon, who survives him. Mr. Oldrin taught the school here while was yet in its infancy. On giving up t.at branch of work he went into business an expressman and real estate agent. He was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland during his first administration and served for a full term, giving general satisfaction in that capacity. He took a keen interest in public affairs, having served as a school trustee and as collector for the village. His most prominent public position was that of editor of the Sea Cliff News. About fifteen years ago the News, which at that time was a small sheet of little Importance, was about to be discontinued. Mr. Oldrin, who recognized that a good newspaper would be on important factor in building up the place, bought the plant, enlarged and greatly improved the paper and continued its publication himself over nine years. When ill-health compelled him to give up active work he leased the paper for a year to Irving Hopkins, and later sold out the plant and paper to that gentlemen. During the past five years Mr. Oldrin's health has been such as to unfit him for actual work, but at all times he has directed the real estate and insurance, which Mrs. Oldrin and his youngest son Charles assisted him in carrying on. He has, however, needed constant care and last summer Mrs. Oldrin's health broke down under the strain and the close confinement to the at the beginning of the winter was such that her physician, Dr. McNichol, of Manhattan, strongly advised her removal to the city, where she could be constantly under his care. To the great astonishment of his friends Mr. Oldrin, who had not walked for two or three years, and who had not been to the city for ten years, decided to go down for the winter. The journey was accomplished in perfect safety and Immediately both Mr. and Mrs. Oldrin began to benefit by the charge. Mr. Oldrin leaves, beside his widow, one unmarried son, and another son, John Oldrin, of Hoboken. His daughters are Mrs. Lillian Pearsall and Mrs. J. A. Barter, and two married daughters in Connecticut. Two sisters, residents of Mount Vernon, also survive him.

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1929. Public domain works must be out of copyright in both the United States and in the source country of the work in order to be hosted on the Commons. If the work is not a U.S. work, the file must have an additional copyright tag indicating the copyright status in the source country. Note: This tag should not be used for sound recordings.PD-1923Public domain in the United States//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Merwin_Oldrin_(1836-1903)_obituary_in_the_Times_Union_of_Brooklyn,_New_York_City_on_July_25,_1903.jpg