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Thomas L. Orndorff,
1839-1901
The following is
the obituary of Thomas L. Orndorff, States Attorney 1876-1884 and
1888-1896 from Clark County, IL from the scrapbook of his brother George
W. Orndorff.
The death of T. L.
Orndorff, of Marshall (small part of obituary missing) one of the county’s
best known residents. His death followed a decline in health that began
several months ago and which was slow at first but rapid in his last
weeks, the final dissolution occurring on the morning of September 27,
1901.
Thomas L., son of
Phineas and Catherine (Jennings) Orndorff, was born in Guernsey County,
Ohio on March 24, 1839 and was thus aged 65 years, 6 months, and 3 days.
When Thomas was fifteen years of age his father moved his family from Ohio
to Illinois and settled on a farm in Wabash Township in this county. Our
subject attended the public schools and then took a higher course of
instruction in the schools at Zanesville, Ohio. He prepared himself for
the profession of teaching and this he followed successfully for a number
of years, devoting his vacations to farming interests. Thus was he
occupied until 1874 when he moved to Marshall and began the study of law
in the office of James C. Robinson. He was admitted to the bar in 1877.
At the December
election 1876 Mr. Orndorff was elected state’s attorney. He was re-elected
in 1880, in 1888 and in 1892, filling the office with signal ability for
sixteen years. The office is one that is difficult to fill and retain the
friendship of the public and the fact that he was elected four times is an
index to the great confidence the general public had in his integrity and
ability.
Mr. Orndorff
volunteered in the Union army in the time of the Civil War and was
mustered into service as First Lieutenant of Company G, 152nd
Illinois Infantry, which commission he held until mustered out of the
service at Memphis, Tenn., in September of 1865.
He was twice married.
His first marriage was to Miss Sarah A. Pitman in January of 1858. She
died in 1864. Three daughters were the fruits of this marriage and all
preceded the father in death.
On October 1, 1868,
Mr. Orndorff wedded Miss Elizabeth Fishback who survives him. Of this
union three children were born of whom Thomas A. and Miss Pearl are
living. Mr. Orndorff was much devoted to his family and his home, and he
passed much of his time with them when not engaged in his profession and
official duties.
Mr. Orndorff was a
man of large heart and liberal purse, and the many good deeds he did in
life will long live after him. In him the afflicted always found a
sympathizer and the needy a friend, indeed.
The funeral services
were conducted at the residence Thursday afternoon by Rev. A. W. Mills of
Casey. The Masonic order, of which he had long been an honored member, had
charge of the burial. The funeral was attended by a large number of
people, persons from all parts of the county being present.
Transcribed by Sharon Barhydt, Great granddaughter of George W.
Orndorff
Jas. Orsborn
Jas. Orsborn, an old and
respected citizen of this community, died at the home of his daughter,
Mrs. Wes Dawson, in Cumberland, Sunday morning, aged about 81 years.
Death was due to old age. The funeral services were held at Restitution
church and interment was in the nearby cemetery.
From
the scrapbook of George W. Orndorff (1854-1934) of Casey & Johnson Twp,
Clark County.
transcribed by S. Barhydt, great-granddaughter (folksandmore@yahoo.com)
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