Generation One

Generation Two

Generation Three

Generation Four

Generation Five

Richard Ormsby

John Ormsby

John Ormsby

Samuel Ormsby

Nathaniel Ormsby

Generation Six

Generation Seven

Generation Eight

Samuel Ormsby

Lysander Ormsby

Alvin L. Ormsby


Alvin Lysander Ormsby

1847 - 1900


Father: Lysander Ormsby
Mother: Olive Clerinda Burnham
Date of Birth: born June 5, 1847
Place of Birth: Summerville, MI
First Marriage: July 18, 1872, Rose Evermont McGrorty, Danville, KY
Date of Death: May, 18, 1900
Place of Death: Emmetsburg, Iowa
Place of Burial: Evergreen Cemetery, Emmetsburg, IA

Spouse: Rose Evermont McGrorty (Photo)
Father: Alexander Scott McGrorty
Mother: Rosa Bradford Barbee Yeiser
Date of Birth: Sept 14, 1849
Place of Birth: Danville,Boyle, KY
Date of Death: June 12, 1925
Place of Death: Evergreen Cemetery, Emmetsburg, Iowa

Children:

  1. Alvin Scott Ormsby, born July 21, 1873, Emmetsburg, IA
  2. Daisy Evermont Ormsby, born Feb 9, 1875, Emmetsburg, IA
  3. Frederick Cassius Ormsby, born Aug 19, 1878
  4. Alice Lucille Ormsby, born May 18, 1883, Emmetsburg, IA

Additional Facts:

TO MY BOYS FOUR. Poem written by Rose Evermont Ormsby, Sept. 2, 1912

Alvin Lysander Ormsby was a lawyer.

American Civil War

In 1863, when but 16 years old, he enlisted in the 1st Mich. Eng. & Mach. He was with Sherman in the "March to the Sea" and served thru the Civil War. He was a Lawyer. At the time of his marriage, he moved to Iowa.

Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers 1861-65. (MIRoster) Published in 1903

Alvin L Ormsby

Residence: Occupation:
Service Record:
Enlisted as a Private on 15 December 1863 in Deerfield at the age of 17
Enlisted in Company L, 1st Engineers Regiment Michigan on 28 December 1863
Mustered out on 22 September 1865 in Nashville, TN

The following was written: "For Pa and Ma with the love of their absent child" Ever baby boy Freddie. Believe Frederick died as an infant, find no mention in family records.

Alvin, along with his uncle, A.C. Burnham, and his brother Col. E. S.Ormsby, set up a banking and loan business in Emmettsburg. It was called Burnham, Ormsby & Co. A few years later Alvin and Col. E. S. bought out A.C. Burnham's interest in the company. They organized the First National Bank and the American Investment Co. in 1885.

Near the end of the Civil War, in 1866-67, Alvin left and studied Law in the office of McKinley and Burnham at Champaign, Illinois. After practicing law in Missouri and Michigan, Alvin went on to Louisville, Kentucky. In Kentucky, he married Rose Evermont McGrorty on July 18,1872 in Danville. Two months later they moved to Emmettsburg, Iowa where they lived - except for four years in the east and a year in England.

Ormsby, set up a banking and loan business in Emmettsburg. It was called Burnham, Ormsby & Co. A few years later Alvin and Col. E. S. bought out A.C. Burnham's interest in the company. They organized the First National Bank and the American Investment Co. in 1885. Alvin was cashier of the First National Bank. He was also vice-president and later president of the American Investment Co. In 1894 during a panicky time in business the company went under due to the devaluation of the company's real estate securities.

Death notice in newspaper: "News has been received here of the death of Mrs. Eva McGrorty Ormsby, widow of A. L. Ormsby, which occurred Friday in Boston, Mass. She was a daughter of the late Capt. A. S. McGrorty, of Danville, and a sister of Mrs. W. E. Bryce, formerly of Shelbyville but now residing in Wooster, Ohio. Mrs. Bryce was with her sister during her last illness. Mrs. Ormsby was seventy-six years of age and leaves one son and two daughters. The body was taken to Emmettsburg, Iowa, her former home, for burial."

....of her son, Mr. Scott Ormsby in Boston, Mass., last Friday, took place Tuesday in Emmettsburg, Iowa, where Mrs. Ormsby's husband was buried many years ago. Mrs. Ormsby was seventy-six years of age. She was a native of Danville and had many friends here among the older citizens. She was a daughter of the late Capt. A. S. McGrorty, who located in Danville almost a hundred years ago. At his death about ten years ago Capt. McGrorty was ninety-six years of age. For many, many years he was engaged in the drug business here. During the great fire of 1860 Capt. McGrorty's store was burned. McGrorty street was named in his honor, but changed to the Old Wilderness Road as it marks the trail of the pioneers who settled Perryville and later Harrodsburg. The McGrorty addition to Danville was formerly owned by Capt. McGrorty who was greatly beloved by a host of friends. Danville where she was reared and most affectionately remembered as Miss Rose Evermonde McGrorty. Capt. McGrorty was a native of Northern Ireland but came to the United States in his youth and settled in Danville when avery young man. He lived here about eighty years and was responsible for many forward steps in the town of Danville. Mrs. Ormsby is survived by three children, Scott Ormsby, of Boston; Mrs. Daisy O. Richards of Seattle, and Mrs. Alice Ormsby Adrian, of Florence, Italy. Mrs. William E. Bryce, of Wooster, Ohio is a sister.

From the Emmetsburg Democrat, Wednesday, July ? , 1906.
The History of Palo Alto County.
Taken from the Democrate Souvenir of December 25,1895

Emmetsburg was incorporated as a town in 1877 and M.L. Brown was the first mayor-David Grier, Sr, recorder; A.J. Bateman, treasurer; W.B. Stedman, assessor, and R.B. Skinner, marshal. The succeeding mayors were E.J. Harthorn, Geo H. Carr, F. Joyce, J.C. Davies, A.L. Ormsby, Thos. Moncrief, B.E. Kelly, E.S. Ormsby, C.E. Cohoon, T.J. Prouty, J.S. Atkinson, L. Stuehmer, and Thos. Shea, the present mayor.

Soldiers Living in Palo Alto County in 1885
From the Palo Alto Reporter dated July 17, 1885
Ormsby, E S Lieut L 1 Mich Eng.
Ormsby, A L Pri L 1 Mich Eng.

From the Emmetsburg Democrat, Wednesday, July 11, 1906 for the Semi Centennial celebration of the first settlement in Palo Alto County:
Palo Alto County in 1856
By Col. T.W. Harrison.
Miss Mary McGroarty, sister of Mrs. A.L. Ormsby, was a musician and muscial composer, and she wrote a new march which she named "The March of Emmetsburg", as she witnessed the flight of town from the old to the new site.

History of Palo Alto County, Iowa
In the years 1873-4 a monthly paper known as the Enterprise was published by Burnham, Ormsby & Co.

Emmetsburg Democrat, Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa, Wednesday, 28 May 1919, lists A.L. Ormsby as one of the Civil War veterans buried in the Evergreen and St. John's cemeteries.

Alexander Scott McGrorty married Rose Barbee Yeiser Oct. 24, 1842. She was the daughter of Frederick Yeiser and Lucinda Bradford. He was born May 21, 1820 in Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland, died 1915 in Danville, Kentucky.

Palo Alto Reporter
Palo Alto County, Iowa
25 Jan 1884

C.P. BOARDMAN, 26 years old, dark hair and light eyes-has the appearance of a Spanish grandee. Has a good position with Ormsby Bro. in the real estate department and will make some smart girl a good husband.

J.J. CARNEY, 24 years old and a decided brunette. Is a clerk in Ormsby's bank, and a sober, steady young man; looks as if he was afraid of the girl but is not.

P.O. REFSELL, 27 years old, light hair, blue eyes, rosy cheeks and blushing nose. A great favorite among the ladies and a genuine good fellow in every way; is cashier in Ormsby's bank with a good salary. Pete will make a good husband for the girl that succeeds in capturing him alive.

Michigan 1870 Census, Deerfield Township

Ormsby, Lysander, 54, M, W, Notory Public, MA
      , Olice C., 49, F, W, Keeping House, MA
      , Alvin L., 23, M, W, Bond Agent, Mich
      , Lilie C., 12, F, W, at home, Mich
      , Ellen B. 6, F, W, Mich

Census Year 1880
Microfilm #T9-359
State Iowa
County Palo Alto
District 167
Enumerator William G Henry
Post Office town of Emmetsburg

Last      First     Color  Sex  Age  Relat     Occu           B/P       B/P/F    B/P/M
Ormsby,   Alvin L   W      M    32,            Banker         Mich      Mass     Mass
Ormsby,   R. Ever   W      F    30   Wife      Keeping House  Kentrucky Ireland  Kentucky
Ormsby,   Scott A   W      M     7   Son                      Iowa      Mich     Kentucky
Ormsby,   Daisy     W      F     5   Daug                     Iowa      Mich     Kentucky
Wellas,   Arthur J  W      M    21   Boarder   Bank Clerk     Conn      Conn     Conn
Graves,   Lodell F  W      M    22   Boarder   Bank Clerk     Minn      N.Y.     N.Y.  
Ryerson,  Matilda   W      F    19   Servant   Servant        Norway    Norway   Norway  
Ryerson,  Thomas    W      M    16   Servant   Servant        Norway    Norway   Norway
Campbell, Joel      W      M    56   Farm Hand Farm Hand      Wis       Wis      Wis

1885 Iowa, Palo Alto, City of Emmetsburg

SURNAME  GIVEN NAME   STREET   AG X M OCCUPATION  BIRTH
Ormsby   A L          7th St   40 M M             Michigan
Ormsby   R Ever                40 F M             Indiana
Ormsby   Scott                 11 M S             Palo Alto
Ormsby   Daisy                  9 F S             Palo Alto
Ormsby   Alice                  2 F S             Palo Alto
Ormsby   Agnes May             20 F S             Michigan

Emmetsburg Town Census-1891

Ormbsy, A.L.      m      44
      , Mrs.      f      42
      , D.E.      f      16
      , Alice L   f       8

Palo Alto County Iowa, 1895 Census, Emmetsburg City

Ormbsy, Ahain L    47 M M Mich             *Estate  Surname probably Ormsby
      , Rose E     45 F M Kans             *House Keeper
      , Ahin S     21 M S Palo Alto Co     
      , Daisy E    19 F S Palo Alto Co
      , Alice L    11 F S Palo Alto Co
Neary , Maggie     22 F S Ill              *Keeper

Census Year 1900
Microfilm Roll # T623-452
State Iowa
County Palo Alto
Enum/Distr 151
Incorp-Place Emmetsburg
Ward of city 2
Enumerator Charles S Duncan
Enumeration Date 18th day of June, 1900

Last    First Name  Rela.  Race Sex  B/M       Age  B/P       B/P/F     B/P/M
Ormsby  R Ever      Head   w    f   Sept 1849  50   Kentucky  Ireland   Kentucky
Ormsby  Alive       Daug   w    f   May 1873   17   Iowa      Michigan  Kentucky
Ormsby  A. Scott    Head   w    m   July 1873  26   Iowa      Michigan  Kentucy   Real Estate
Ormsby  Gerice P.   Wife   w    f   July 1877  22   Illinois  Illinois  Wisconsin

1910 Plat Map Index - Faulk County SD

Ormsby, ? Land Co. 120N 68W 6
Ormsby, A. L. 119N 67W 23
Ormsby, A. S. 120N 69W 1
Ormsby, A. Scott 117N 72W 17, 24
Ormsby, A. Scott 118N 70W 30
Ormsby, A. Scott 118N 71W 34
Ormsby, A. Scott 119N 66W 6
Ormsby, A. Scott 120N 70W 11
Ormsby, Anna. Scott 117N 71W 23
Ormsby, O. S. 118N 68W 11
Ormsby, R. E. 117N 67W 9
Ormsby, R. E. 119N 72W 2
Ormsby, R. E. 120N 69W 1, 10
Ormsby, R. S. 119N 72W 24
Ornesby, R. E. 120N 70W 11

Ellis Island
Name: Ormsby, R. E.
Ethnicity: U.S.A.
Date of Arrival: November 25, 1903
Age on Arrival: 34
Gender: F
Marital Status: W
Ship of Travel: Prinzess Irene
Port of Departure: Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Ellis Island
Name: Ormsby, Rose E.
Ethnicity:
Date of Arrival: August 8, 1920
Age on Arrival: 70y 8m
Gender: F
Marital Status: M
Ship of Travel: Kroonland
Port of Departure: Antwerp, Belgium

(Ships manifest shows place of birth as Danville, Kentucky, Sept. 14 1849)

United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Ormsby - Kelly House
2403 W 7th Street
Emmetsburg, Iowa

The Ormsby-Kelly house is a two-story private residence in a vernacular Italianate style. It is mad of red brick laid in stretcher bond. The shallow, hip roof ends in wode eaves above a wide wood cornice. The double hung sash windows and front entrances feature heavy stone drip molding with keystones. There is one exterior brick chimney on the west side, and two other interior chimneys, also brick. Square wood piers support the one-story, almost flat-roofed front porch.

The rectangual main block of the house was built in 1876. It included the front porch and a smaller, screened porch at the west rear. A one-story kitchen and servants' quarters was also part of the original construction.

In 1890 two additions were made by Ormsby, the original owner. A two-story wind for a library and extra bedroom was added at the right angles to the rear of the house. The brick, window shapes, ornamentation and cornice work conform to that of the main block. Also, to the right of the front porch, a solarium was built, with long rectangular windows topped with square panels of stained glass. A single window in the house wall was replaced by a wide arch that connects the living room with the solarium.

This house was commissioned by A. L. Ormsby, and early Emmetsburg Banker, Civil War veteran, and landowner both in Iowa and Canada.

New York City Directory, 1890
Ormsby Edwin S. pres. 150 Nassau, h B'klyn
Ormsby Land Co. 150 Nassau
Ormsby Alvin L. v. pres. 150 Nassau

Chronological List for Alvin Lysander Ormsby

Year   Event                State
1847   Born                 MI
1863   Enlisted Civil War   MI
1864   Civil War            TN
1865   Discharged           TN
1866
1867
1868   Family Letters       IL/MO
1869   Family Letters       IL/MI
1870   Census               MI
1871
1872   Married              KY
1872                        IA
1873   Birth of Alvin S.    IA
1874   Monthly Paper        IA
1875   Birth of Daisy E.    IA
1876   Year house built     IA
1877
1878   Birth of Frederick
1879
1880   Census               IA
1881
1882
1883   Birth of Alice       IA
1884   American Inv. Co.    IA
1885   Newspaper            IA
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891   Census               IA
1892
1893
1894
1895   Census               IA
1896
1897   Birth of GDaughter   IA
1898
1899
1900   Death                IA

The History of Palo Alto County.

Taken from the Democrat Souvenir of December 25,1895

Emmetsburg was incorporated as a town in 1877 and M.L. Brown was
the first mayor-David Grier, Sr, recorder; A.J. Bateman, treasurer; W.B.
Stedman, assessor, and R.B. Skinner, marshal. The succeeding mayors were
E.J. Harthorn, Geo H. Carr, F. Joyce, J.C. Davies, A.L. Ormsby, Thos.
Moncrief, B.E. Kelly, E.S. Ormsby, C.E. Cohoon, T.J. Prouty, J.S. Atkinson,
L. Stuehmer, and Thos. Shea, the present mayor.

The city fire department was organized in 1880. Company K, Iowa National
Guard, in 1894. The Emmetsburg water works system was constructed in 1890,
the Emmetsburg Telephone company in 1897, and the sewerage system in 1903.
The Palo Alto Telephone company was organized in 1902. The court house was
erected in 1880, old Music Hall in 1882, new Music Hall in 1889, Waverly
hotel in 1882, St. Mary's academy in 1888, the Iowa, in 1905, the postoffice
building in 1889, and the School house building in 1900. The following is a
list of the brick blocks and the years in which they were erected: The
Ormsby block in 1882, the W.G. Henry building in 1883; the McCarty &
Linderman block in 1891; Tobin block in 1880; Emmetsburg National bank
building in 1884; A.O. H. building in 1898; Brown-Kerwick block in 1905;
Dooley building in 1894; McCormick block in 1891; Hinckley block in 1890;
Gowans block.

Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
Wednesday, Sep. 16, 1925

An Emmetsburg Directory Printed Forty Two Years Ago

Only Three or Four Business Men and Two or Three Members of the Professions
out of 175 or More Are Still on the Job

John McNALLY, and old timer, hands us the following copy of Emmetsburg's
business directory taken from the Iowa Gazeteer printed 42 years ago:

Music Hall, ORMSBY Bros., proprs.

ORMSBY Bros. & Co. (Alvin L & Edwin S. ORMSBY), bankers, real estate and abstracts

REFSELL, P.O., Cash. ORMSBY Bros. & Co.

Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
Wednesday, June 6, 1911

NEWS OF TWENTY YEARS AGO

A Few Items Taken From the Files of The Democrat of June 10, 1891

At the annual meeting of the American Investment Company, held Wednesday,
A.L. ORMSBY was elected president and T.R. CRAWFORD vice president.

Bradford Family

Barbee Family


Ormsby.net

Ormsby Family Tree