Biography

In 1830 he went into business as a bookbinder and bookseller at 209 Main St. below Swan St. On Sept. 29, 1831 he married Sarah Hull. In 1838 he became Buffalo's first active Superintendent of Public Schools. This was the beginning of a life-long interest in education. He filled this post again in 1844 and 1851. He would accumulate the largest private book collection in Buffalo. In 1850 Mr. Steele was responsible for the designing and implementation of the Buffalo Sewer System. and it is still in use today. In 1858 he was elected as an Erie County Supervisor. In 1862 Oliver was a founder of the Erie County Historical Society. He was it's first Secretary and held that post until 1870. In 1865 he was Vice-president of the newly formed Forest Lawn Cemetery. 
At age 70 most men had retired to the porch rocker. But Oliver Steele was still involved in many activities. Among them were: Director of the Young Men's Assn., President of the Executive Committee of the Buffalo State College, Curator of the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy, Secretary and General Manager of the Buffalo Gas Light Co., Load and Finance Committee of the Erie County Savings Bank, Real Estate Commissioner of the Mechanics' Society, President and Grounds Committee of Forest Lawn Cemetery, and a Trustee of the Buffalo Female Academy. The charitable endeavors of Mr. and Mrs. Steele were too numerous to mention here.