My Genealogy Hound

Charles S. Orcutt, county treasurer and editor of the Lewis County Journal, was born June 10, 1855, in Wyoming County, Penn., the son of O. DeWitt C. and Lyda (Cook) Orcutt, the former of Irish descent, born in 1806, in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. The father was for many years a teacher and cabinet-maker, and in later years spent a part of his time in shoemaking; and being a splendid scribe did much clerical work at the county seat. In 1850 he married in Pennsylvania, and in 1865 moved to a farm in Shelby County, Mo., and finally came to Monticello, where he died in April, 1870. The mother, of Welsh and Scotch origin, was born in Luzerne County, Penn., in 1826. September 12, 1872, she married G. Morton. Our subject, the third of five children, was educated at Monticello, and at his father’s death was compelled to help maintain the family, which he did, assisting to educate a brother and sister at the seminary in Monticello. When fifteen years old he became an apprentice as a tinner, and three years afterward worked as a journeyman, until in 1874, he established a hardware store at Monticello. In 1879 he bought his present paper, and made his first issue September 10, and its large circulation since proves its success. He is a Democrat, and on December 30, 1886, was made county treasurer, to fill an unexpired term. He is an Odd Fellow, and also a member of Canton Encampment No. 24. He is also a member of the Christian Church. His first vote was for S. J. Tilden.