Grace Belle Gorton Olin

Grace (also known as Gracia) Belle Gorton Olin, Buchtel College (now The University of Akron) graduate, played an important role in the college community and the city of Akron.

Grace Belle Gorton was the daughter of the Rev. James Gorton and Sarah Hitchcock Gorton. She graduated from Buchtel College in 1887 and was an active member of the Delta Gamma fraternity. The college is also where she met Charles R. Olin, class of 1885. They were married on June 28, 1888. They lived at 421 Spicer and had three children, Robert R., Charles Ralph, and S. Estella.

Both Olins were active within the college community. Charles, a former math professor, became the secretary of the college; his wife became her class' secretary in 1936, keeping the university informed of what her former classmates were doing. Her involvement reached beyond the campus, however.

The Olins were members of the First Universalist Church. She was an active member of the Woman's Universalist Missionary Association, along with Marie Seibel Olin, the wife of Charles' cousin Oscar.

Olin was also a member of the Tuesday Afternoon Club, which later became the Tuesday Musical Club. She was also active in the Woman's City Club. In addition, she was a charter member of the College Club of Akron.

She was well liked. When her husband retired, many wonderful things were said of him. But he emphasized that without his wife nothing would have been possible -- "this lady at my side has helped me to make these things possible ... what you say of me, you say of Mrs. Olin."

--Stephanie Devers