My Genealogy Hound

GEN. WILLIAM W. ORME, deceased, Bloomington, whose portrait will be found in this work, was the son of W. C. and Jane T. Orme, and was born in Washington, D. C., Feb. 17, 1832; when he was 13 years of age, his parents died, from which time, Mr. Orme was compelled to rely upon his own exertions; he attended Mt. St. Mary’s College at Emmettsburg, Md., and, after his graduation, learned the trade of a cabinet-maker; in the year 1849, he came West, and first located in Chicago for a short time; while there, he read law in the office of J. Y. Scammon; in 1850, he came to Bloomington, and, having opened an office, commenced the practice of law, and continued the same but for a short time, being tendered and having accepted a position in the office of Gen. William McCullough, Clerk of the Circuit Court of McLean Co. On the 27th day of October, 1853, he was married to Miss Minnie L., the daughter of Gen. McCullough, and shortly afterward, formed a co-partnership with Leonard Swett in the practice of law. The next year (1862), after the breaking-out of our late civil war, Mr. Orme was commissioned Colonel of the 94th Regt. I. V. I., and, after one year of active service, was, in 1863, promoted by the late President Lincoln to the rank of Brigadier General; ill-health, however, unfitting him for active duty in the field, he was placed in command of the post at Chicago, which included Camp Douglas; his health, however, being still very poor, he, a short time after accepting the position, tendered his resignation, which President Lincoln accepted, and, relieving him from active duty, appointed him Supervising Agent of the Second Agency of the Treasury Department, at Memphis, Tenn.; in June, 1865, he again tendered his resignation, but Mr. Lincoln was so anxious that he should remain, that his resignation was not accepted until November of the same year. The following card shows the friendship existing between himself and Mr. Lincoln, and the high estimate that Mr. Lincoln placed upon his ability and competency. This card was carried to Gen. Halleck by Mr. Swett, the partner at law of Gen. Orme: Washington, Aug. 2, 1862. Gen. Halleck — Please see the bearer, who will tell you truth only about Wm. W. Orme, whom I also know to be one of the most active, competent and best men in the world. (Signed), A. Lincoln. Gen. Orme died of consumption at the age of 35. Although cut down in the prime of manhood, and a bright career nipped in the bud, Mr Orme left behind him an enviable name and a spotless reputation; he left a widow and four children—two girls, Mary B. and Lucy, and two boys, William and Edwin. Mrs. Orme was again married Oct. 5, 1876, to D. S. Dyson, M. D., who resides in Bloomington.