Oliver Gildersleeve

"The eldest son of Henry and Emily F. Gildersleeve is a worthy representative of his honored sire and grandsire a man of robust constitution and great force of character, combined with excellent business qualifications. He was born on the 6th of March 1844. He received his education at the Hartford high school, and at the age of 17 entered his father's shipyard, where he soon acquired the art of practical shipbuilding, and at the age of 21 became a partner; since which time he has largely increased the business, having added a marine railway capable of hauling vessels of 700 tons burden, and built a large ice house, provided with steam machinery and all the necessary appliances for gathering ice from the Connecticut River, for shipment to New York and southern ports.

In 1881, he became a member of the firm of S. Gildersleeve & Co., shipping and commission merchants, 84 South Street, New York, he being the active managing owner of the fleet of vessels controlled by that house, which are owned principally by the Gildersleeve family. As a young man he was very desirous of seeing the world, and at the age of 27 had visited the principal cities of his own country, Europe, and Canada. Possessing an excellent memory, he acquired a fund of information which has been utilized to good advantage in his business. In his works of charity and benevolence he has fully sustained the reputation of the Gildersleeve family. He is a junior warden of Trinity Episcopal Church of Portland, and has variously officiated as lay reader, Sunday school superintendent, and teacher.

He is a trustee of the 'Gildersleeve High School Fund,' and has served three years on the district school committee; also for a number of years was a prominent debater and officer in the 'Portland Lyceum.'