Among New Haven's most progressive young men who through their energy, foresight and cooperation in well defined plans have contributed much to the city's growth and development, Edward C. Olds stands high. His interests are many and varied and rank him with the capitalists of this section. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, February 26, 1887, and is a son of Charles L. and Eliza J. (McLaughlin) Olds. The father, a native of New York, was taken to Fort Wayne by his parents when a little lad of five years and was there reared, educated and there he later married. He entered into the electrical manufacturing business, afterward selling out to the General Electric Company, and since then he has had charge of the local branch of the interests which constitute that great corporation. His wife was born at Fort Wayne and they still reside in that city.

Edward C. Olds, the youngest of their six children, mastered the branches of learning taught in the public and high schools of Fort Wayne and pursued his more specifically literary course in the academic department of Princeton University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1909. He then turned his attention to the banking business in connection with N. W. Halsey & Company, private bankers of New York city, with whom he continued until 1914. In the previous year he became the representative of N. W. Halsey & Company at New Haven and in 1914 he decided to embark in business on his own account. Prior to that date he had become connected in an official capacity with a number of the leading enterprises of New Haven and had become a large stockholder of several business interests. It was this that necessitated his severing his connection with the Halsey Company to look after his own investments. He became president of the Connecticut Realty Company, controlling a large business in real estate operations, and since 1915 has been president of the Colony Advertising Company. He is also president of the firm of H. D. Rollins & Company, of 61 Broad street, New York city, and he is connected with other enterprises and interests. He displays notably sound judgment in making his investments, his sagacity is keen and his efforts are attended with success. He readily discriminates between the essential and the nonessential and with notable prescience foresees the outcome of any undertaking.

Mr. Olds is connected with many clubs and social organizations. He has member-ship in the Graduates, Country, Lawn and Princeton Clubs of New Haven and in the New York Country Club. He is also a member of the Advertising Men's Association and of the Chamber of Commerce and is in hearty sympathy with the purposes of these organizations to further the upbuilding and promote the interests of New Haven. His cooperation can always be depended upon to further any project for the general good. Opportunity has ever been to him a call to action and indefatigable energy has led him into fields of successful achievement where many a man of less resolute spirit has not had the courage to venture. He is well qualified for leadership and his position is one of prominence. When the call to arms came in 1917, Mr. Olds placed his services at the disposal of his country, enlisted and is now serving with the American expeditionary forces in France.