Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 661–662; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Squire James Orwig is a jovial, pleasant gentleman whom it is a
pleasure to know and who has many warm personal friends not only in
Cass Township, where he resides, but throughout Fulton County. He
is an active politician and takes a prominent part in all public
affairs relating to the welfare of the community in which he makes his
home. By means of energy, tact and good judgment he has made a
success in every business he has undertaken and has secured a
comfortable home. His estate is a valuable one, comprising eighty
acres on section 1, and here he has lived for thirteen years.
The parents of our subject, John and Margaret (Baughman) Orwig,
were native of Ohio, where they were married and continued to make
their home until 1837. During their residence in Richland County,
that State, our subject was born August 18, 1835, and two years later
they removed with their family to Fulton County, Ill., settling in Cass
Township upon the place where John Ellis now resides. It was then
uncultivated land, in a a state of primitive wildness, and covered with
a heavy growth of timber. When they came to this county their
worldly possessions consisted of five ninety cent pieces, two yoke of
oxen and two wagons. Here they broke the virgin soil, and
continued to otherwise improve it until 1847, when they removed south
of that location.
The father died in 1875 at the old homestead, and the mother
survived until Christmas Day, 1889. They were the parents of
seven children, all of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch
being the second in order of birth. He was less than two years
old when his parents brought him to Illinois, and here he has since
remained. His education was a good common-school one, and he was
early trained to agricultural pursuits. He lived under the
parental roof until he attained his twenty-second year, when he began a
business career for himself.
The marriage of our subject was celebrated June 21, 1857, when
Miss Martha James Stewart, daughter of Cornelius Stewart, of Lewistown
Township, this county, became his bride. After their marriage
they settled on the old homestead, which was their home for three
years, thence they removed to Harris Township, where they sojourned
five years, and then removed to their present estate. On
September 10, 1882, the wife died, leaving a family of nine children,
of whom the following are living: Cornelius R., who married
Jeannette Headly, lives in Colorado Springs; E. P., who married Miss
Flora Ray, at the present time resided in Marietta; James W., William
O., Henry F., and Albertus, all of whom are unmarried and reside at
home. They are successful in business and popular in the
communities where they live.
The 'Squire' was again married December 14, 1884, when Miss
Sarah, daughter of Perry and Margaret (Clayberg) Wertman, became his
bride. Mrs. Orwig was born July 14, 1843, in Ashland County,
Ohio, and at an early age accompanied her parents to Fulton County,
where she gained a thorough education in the common schools of the
district. Only two children were born of their union, a boy and a
girl, who died in early infancy. Mrs. Orwig is a consistent
member of the Presbyterian Church, and the 'Squire' has belonged to the
United Brethren Church for thirty years. They are both greatly
interested in religious affairs, especially Sunday-school work, and he
has been Superintendent for some time.
The Democratic party finds in ‘Squire Orwig an active
supporter. He is influential in business circles, and has served
as Road Commissioner, School Director, and Justice of the Peace.
He owns a valuable estate upon which he has built a handsome house and
other needed structures, and in various ways he has improved his
farm. He is also interested in fine horses, and owns an
English-red horse, which was imported in 1883, and is valued at
$1,500. He also has in his possession a very fine Norman
horse. To such as he is Cass Township indebted for the enviable
reputation it sustains throughout the county as a fine business center
and a splendid agricultural region.
