Husband Hon. James W. Ormsby 1
Born: 15 Jul 1808 - Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co, PA 2
Christened:
Died: Aft 1888
Buried:
Father: Matthew Ormsby ( -1824) 2
Mother: Jane Williamson ( - ) 2
Marriage: 1876 3
Other Spouse: Jane Campbell ( -1873) 4 - 1832 3
Wife Margaret E. Stewart 3
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Thomas Stewart (1801-1875) 3
Mother: Esther Porter ( -1861) 3
Children
General Notes: Husband - Hon. James W. Ormsby
His early opportunities for an education were confined to the small country schools of that day. When he was sixteen years of age his father died, and he remained at home for two years after his death, and assisted his mother in maintaining the family. Desiring to push himself forward in the world he induced his mother to purchase a wool carding machine, and locating at Clarksville he commenced, at the age of eighteen years, a business career that has but few equals in the history of the Shenango Valley. In 1832 he purchased a farm, and in 1836 he obtained the contract for supplying the meat for the men engaged in building the canal that was then being constructed through Mercer County. He then engaged in purchasing all classes of stock and in driving them to the Eastern market. Maj. Ormsby was largely engaged in the coal trade of Mercer County, being among the first to open up its coal banks. He operated largely in real estate, and at one time owned large tracts in this county and at other points. In 1873, in company with his sons, Leander and E. W., he erected, at Sharpsville, a blast furnace, at a cost of $120,000, and engaged in the manufacture of iron. Here came the most trying period of his life, for in the panic that swept the country that year he saw pass away a fortune of over $300,000, the earnings of many years. Even the homestead where he had resided for forty-one years went with the balance, and at the age of seventy-two he found himself comparatively penniless. But future events proved that the boy who forty-seven years before had started unknown with a carding machine in a small village, as a foundation of his subsequent fortune, was equal to the occasion. Removing to a rented farm in Hickory Township he again commenced the battle of life. After remaining there a short time he went to Brazil, Ind., and again engaged in the coal business, with results that enabled him to buy back his old homestead. Maj. Ormsby always took a great deal of interest in the public affairs of his county and State. Under Gov. Johnson's administration he was appointed a justice of the peace, which office he filled for many years in Hickory Township. He was appointed major in the State Militia by Gov. Ritner. In 1883 he was elected a representative, and served in the long session of 1883-84. Politically he was an ardent Democrat, and always furthered and upheld the principles of that party. He also took a deep interest in educational matters, and was officially identified for years with the schools of his township. He was a member of the Clarksville Presbyterian Church. [HMC 1888, 871]