Francis Marion Van Orsdol

1842 - 1928  (85 years)

• Documents		Obituary- Van Orsdol, Francis 1 FRANCIS MARION VAN ORSDOL The passing on of F. M. VanOrsdol last week, an old pioneer resident of Silver Lake township, marks the end of the founders of three families in that vicinity. Three brothers and their wives who located there in 1869, now lie buried in Prairie Home cemetery. The funeral ceremonies were held Monday afternoon in the Second Presbyterian church of North Topeka, conducted by the Rev. G. G. Horne of Oakland assisted by the G. A. R. and W. R. C. of Topeka. The music was in charge of Mr. Charles Pence, who, with a selected quartet, sang the following: “Somewhere the Sun Is Shining,” “Lead Kindly Light,” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” The singers were lifelong acquaintances of the deceased and the music was well rendered. The minister read as a scripture lesson the 90th Psalm, taking as a text Job 5:2,6—“Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season.” He presented an able and beautiful discourse. The short ritual ceremony of the G. A. R., as they surrounded the casket, headed by their color bearer, was very impressive. The daughters of the W. R. C. all dressed in white, recited the ceremony of that order in a very creditable manner. At the close taps was sounded by a member of the bugle corps. The pallbearers were his four sons, a grandson and a son-in-law. There were many beautiful floral offerings. The following obituary was presented and read by a grand-daughter, Miss Ruth VanOrsdol: Francis Marion VanOrsdol was born September 18, 1842, in Louisa county, Iowa, and died August 17, 1928, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. E. Strimple, of 1821 Clay Street, Topeka, Kansas. His parents, soon after his birth, moved from Louisa county to Henry county, locating on a farm near Mount Pleasant, where Marion, as he was familiarly known, spent his youth, working on the farm during most of the year. During the midwinter he walked to and from the nearest school. While yet a boy his country called for volunteers to suppress a great civil rebellion. Marion was among the first to answer the call by enlisting in Company K, 4th Iowa Cavalry, made up of home boys. His first and immediate service was with his command in pursuit pf General Price who was planning a raid into Kansas. He was with Grant at Shiloh, Memphis, Vicksburg and the other great batles of this noted General, and lastly he was with Sherman on that mem¬orable march to the sea. He was mustered out at Atlanta with an honorable discharge as a soldier. The G. A. R. and W. R. C., to him, were noble organizations. His country’s flag he revered and the little brown button always on the lapel of his coat, he cherished.
  		Obituary- Van Orsdol, Francis 2 When the army was disbanded, he returned to his native state where he was united in marriage to Miss Kate Howe of Mount Pleasant. In the autumn of 1869, with his wife and a covered wagon, his only possessions, he turned his face toward Kansas, locating in Shawnee county, where he ever remained, living on the same farm for over fifty years. Fruit growing, grain farming and stockraising, was his life work until the death of his wife, December 15, 1917. His viewpoint of the world then changed and he retired spending the evening of his day with his daughter in Topeka. Mr. VanOrsdol was a great lover of fruits and flowers. He was intensely patriotic but never courted public favor. His four score and six years were peaceful and tranquil. He seldom worried and never grieved over material things. He met the final summons as he had met every call. Placing his hands over his chest, he smiled and passed on into eternity. He is survived by his only daughter, Belle, his four sons, Will, George James and Frank, and one surviving brother, James O. VanOrsdol of Springfield, Colorado.

  
  

• Name	Francis Marion Van Orsdol
  Nickname	Marion
  Born	18 Sep 1842	Louisa County, Iowa
  Gender	Male
  Died	17 Aug 1928	Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas
  Buried	Prairie Home Cemetery, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas
  Person ID	I6754	Rossville
  Last Modified	2 May 2018

  
  

  Family ID

  F7360

  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Kate Howe Van Orsdol,   d. 15 Dec 1917
  Children	1. James Manley Van Orsdol,   b. 10 Nov 1873, Silver Lake, Shawnee County, Kansas ,   d. 16 Jun 1934  (Age 60 years) + 2. J. Frank Van Orsdol,   b. 5 Apr 1876, Silver Lake, Shawnee County, Kansas ,   d. 16 Dec 1958, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas  (Age 82 years)   3. William Van Orsdol   4. George Van Orsdol   5. Mary Belle Van Orsdol Strimple,   b. 1881, Silver Lake, Shawnee County, Kansas ,   d. 6 Dec 1957, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas  (Age 76 years)
  Last Modified	13 Jul 2018 14:38:14
  Family ID	F7361	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 18 Sep 1842 - Louisa County, Iowa Buried - - Prairie Home Cemetery, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas  = Link to Google Earth