Old Resident Passes Away, Was Noble Citizen

Dr. Estell H. Rorick was born September 1st 1842 at Seneca, Mich. and was reared on a farm in Lenawee county. In 1867 he entered the University of Michigan as a student in the medical department. When 16 years of age he attended the Medina, Michigan Academy. He latre [sic] attended college at Kalamazoo, but lacking funds to continue, he engaged in teaching school for two years. He formed the acquaintance of Dr. Weed and it was through his influence that he took up the study of medicine and surgery. In 1864 he joined the staff of Dr. Weed who was then an army surgeon until the end of the Civil War, and it was after the war that he entered the University of Michigan and in 1869 he graduated with honor from that institution. He began the practice of medicine at Spring Hill (Tedrow), but three years later he sold the practice and located in Fayette. He made a financial success of the practice of medicine and contributed much to the success of the Fayette college.

He was identified with many of the business interests of Fayette. He discontinued the practice of medicine to devote his time to business enterprises. He was a director in the Farmers State Bank and owned considerable real estate in the community.

He has been an active politician and served two terms as representative from this district. When Gov. Willis was elected in Ohio he was named as a member of the state board of administration with authority to manage the state institutions. For nine years he was superintendent of the Athens State Hospital and it was there that he displayed executive ability.

He was united in marriage to Mary P. Acker, a native of Gorham, on Aug. 20, 1868. To this union were born three children, Clark Chappell and George Agnes who preceded the father to the Great Beyond and one daughter Mabel Acker with the wife of F.T. Sullivan of Metamora. The daughter and mother are left to mourn their loss.

He was stricken with paralysis on Monday, Jan. 23rd and died Friday, Jan. 27th, 1922 at the age of 79 years, 4 months and 25 days. Funeral services were held at the home in Fayette last Monday. Hundreds of people were unable to enter the home to pay their last respects to the Doctor.

Services were under the directions of the Masonic bodies of which he was a member having been raised to a 32nd Degree Mason.

Source: Fulton County Tribune, February 2, 1922.