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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.

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