Researching Family History Since 1999
Beaumont, Nov. 26 (AP) — Dr. J.W. Garth, 62, widely known southeast Texas philanthropist and donor of a building to newsboys in connection with the new Y.M.C.A here, died today after a long illness. He came from Iowa two years ago.
Source: Port Arthur News, November 26, 1929.
Sidney E. Rorick was born in Franklin county, Ohio, on October 31, 1849, the son of C.H. and Julia F. Rorick. In 1859 he came with his parents to Iowa and first settled on the farm later known as the Rorick farm south of Oxford Mills. The first home was a log cabin.
In 1876 he was married to Miss Charity Green. They began housekeeping on the farm home, improving it as they were able until their removal to Oxford Mills in 1900. Two children were born to this union, Cornelius H. and Edna, both of whose lives were closed years ago. Mrs. Rorick died on March 22, 1927.
Mr. Rorick’s life began to fail over a year ago. A serious illness then nearly claimed his life but when practically all hope was abandoned for his recovery a change was noted and improvement came slowly but surely. This past fall Mr. Rorick went to California hoping to escape the dreaded winter months but the climate did not agree with him and he returned here to his home. Soon afterwards he became seriously ill but warded off the approaching end for weeks.
One brother, D.D. Rorick of Monticello, is the only living near relative.
Mr. Rorick was a member of Zealous Lodge, A.F. & A.M., and had belonged to the Owls.
Services were held at the M.E. church at Oxford Mills Monday afternoon, Rev. Wolgemuth of the Lutheran church officiating, assisted by the Lutheran choir and the members of the Masonic order, who conducted the commitment ceremonies. He was laid to rest in the family lot beside his wife in the Mayflower cemetery.
Those from a distance who attended the funeral of S.E. Rorick were his brother, D.D. Rorick of Monticello, Iowa; Mrs. Winnie Ottsen of Rock Island, Ill., and the following nieces and nephews, Mrs. J.W. Garth and W.C. Tyrrell of Beaumont, Texas; Preston Tyrrell of Belmond, Iowa; Mrs. Woodward of Olin; and Mrs. Wilkinson.
Source: Oxford Mirror, April 3, 1930.
Probably at His Home
Venture Capitalist, Jefferson County’s Richest Man Found Dead in Bed Early Sunday
Captain W.C. Tyrrell, 78, who died at his home in Beaumont early Sunday morning, was counted as one of Port Arthur’s staunchest boosters and most active developers. The aged financier was found dead in bed by his son-in-law, Dr. James W. Garth, about 1:15 a.m. Sunday, a heart attack causing his death.
Funeral services for the dead financier probably will be held Wednesday afternoon.
Since Captain Tyrrell located to this section of Texas, first temporarily in the late nineties, and permanently in 1904, he had acquired vast real estate properties in Port Arthur and the adjoining territory, developing all of his buildings here. The four-story Deutser Building, at the corner of Procter avenue and Waco avenue, the Tyrrell Building at the corner of Procter avenue and Fort Worth avenue, occupied by Fuller’s cafe and various offices and lodge halls, the Grammler undertaking establishment, Fifth and Waco, and the Jones-O’Neal furniture building on Fifth street were all built by Captain Tyrrell.
Hotel First Project
The city properties owned and developed by Captain Tyrrell in Port Arthur were financed by the W.C. Tyrrell Trust company, an organization comprising the financier and his four children. The development of Griffing and Port Acres was carried out through the Tyrrell-Combest Co., which he organized in 1918 with Ross Combest, with original capitalization of $70,000, which now has a fully paid capital of $1,000,000. Capt. Tyrrell’s fortune was conservatively estimated at $4,000,000.
During the flood in Port Arthur, Capt. Tyrrell sent over 8,000 loaves of bread into this city to relieve the food shortage here, the loaves being distributed without cost throughout the city. On another occasion, he ordered 100,000 roses sent to Kansas City churches and hospitals. Several years ago he established a park in Belmond, Iowa, his former home, as memorial to his wife, who died August 2, 1919. A park on the Fannett road, near Beaumont, was give to that city by Capt. Tyrrell recently, and is now being developed. Purchase of the First Baptist church building, on Pearl street, Beaumont, as a public library for the city, also was made by Capt. Tyrrell and presented to Beaumont.
Children Surviving
Surviving Capt. Tyrrell are four children: Mrs. Esther L. Garth, of Beaumont, with whom he made his home for a number of years past: Mrs. David Roderick [sic] of Oceanside, California: W.C. Tyrrell, Jr., who now owns and occupies the Tyrrell farm near Belmond, Iowa: and Harry C. Tyrrell, engaged in the oil business, at Tulsa, Oklahoma: 12 grandchildren, Dr. W. Leroy Garth of San Diego, Cal.: C. Tyrrell Garth of Beaumont: J.W. Garth, Jr. of Tulsa, Okla.: Thomas T. Garth of Beaumont: Mrs. Helen Rorick McGill, Mrs. Ruth Rorick Steves, and David Rorick, Jr. of Oceanside, Cal.: Harry F. Tyrrell of Beaumont, and Preston Tyrrell, W.C. Tyrrell III, Miss Carol Tyrrell, and David Tyrrell of Belmond, Iowa, and two great-grandchildren, William and Wilma Harl Garth, children of Dr. Leroy Garth of San Diego, Cal.
Source: Port Arthur News, September 6, 1924.
After weeks of severe illness, the life of Sidney E. Rorick came to a close with his death at his home in Oxford Mills last Saturday, March 29th. For days it was thought that the end was near, yet that strong heart which had won many other battles, “ceased to beat” only after the physical body had lost all vitality.
Mr. Rorick was a builder, one of those people of worth that the state of Ohio has contributed to the development of this part of Iowa. When but ten years of age he had come with is parents to Oxford township and with exception of about one year this locality had been his home. Much of the early history of this portion of the county is found interwove with the history of his [unclear]. In local affairs, to him may be attributed in a large measure the establishment of the Oxford Junction Savings Bank in which he served as its first president. He was a believer in a completed understanding between associations. For months after the bank was started he spent his time in visiting with people in every walk of life, telling them of the aims of the institution and in general discussing their problems with them. Some of the fruits of his effort was not realized until years later but it was bounteous harvest which had been cultivated.
Obituary
Sidney E. Rorick was born in Franklin county, Ohio, on October 31, 1849, the son of C.H. and Julia F. Rorick. In 1859 he came with his parents to Iowa and first settled on the farm later known as the Rorick farm south of Oxford Mills. The first home was an old log cabin.
In 1876 he was married to Miss Charity Green. They began housekeeping on the farm home, improving it as they were able until their removal to Oxford Mills in 1900. Two children were born to this union, Cornelius H. and Edna, both of whose lives were closed years ago. Mrs. Rorick died on March 22, 1927.
Mr. Rorick’s life began to fail nearly a year ago. A serious illness then nearly claimed his life but when practically all hope was abandoned for his recovery a change was noted and improvement came slowly but surely. This past fall Mr. Rorick went to California hoping to escape the dreaded winter months but the climate did not agree with him and he returned here to his home. Soon afterwards he became seriously ill but warded off the approaching end for weeks.
One brother, D.D. Rorick of Monticello, is the only living near relative.
Mr. Rorick was a member of the Zealous lodge, A.F. & A.M. and had belonged to the Owls.
Services were held at the M.E. church at Oxford Mills Monday afternoon, Rev. Wolgemuth of the Lutheran church officiating, assisted by the Lutheran choir and the members of the Masonic order, who conducted the commitment services. The body was laid to rest in the family lot beside his wife in the Mayflower cemetery.
Those from a distance who attended the funeral of S.E. Rorick were his brother, D.D. Rorick, of Monticello, Iowa; Mrs. Winnie Ottsen of Rock Island, Ill., and the following nephews and nieces, Mrs. J.W. Garth and W.C. Tyrrell of Beaumont, Texas; Preston Tyrrell of Belmond, Iowa; Mrs. Woodward of Olin; and Mrs. Wilkinson
Source: Oxford Mirror, April 3, 1930
Beaumont, Jan. 15 — Disposing of an estate valued at $100,000 among a score of relatives, will of the late Dr. J.W. Garth, pioneer Beaumont physician who died here Nov. 20, was filed for probate today in count court. Bulk of estate was bequeathed to Dr. Garth’s widow, Mrs. Esther Garth and to their four sons, William Leroy, Casper Tyrrell, James William, Jr. and Thomas Tyrrell, who received all of the physician’s property except the following, named in specific bequests. Four daughters-in-law, Wilma, Lucy, Leta and Cecile Garth, five shares each of stock in the Morgan plan bank of Beaumont, and forty shares each of stock in the Tyrrell-Combest Realty company, also of Beaumont. All the shares have a par value of $100 each. A sister, Grace Garth Miller, and a brother, Mark P. Garth, 10 shares each in the Jefferson County Building & Investment association stock, each share having a par value of $100. Five nieces and nephews, Marjorie Miller, Max G. Miller, George J. Miller, Jr., Dorothy Carpenter, and Katherine Bennett, 20 shares each in the Jefferson County Building & Investment association. A nephew, Donald G. Birdsall, $2000 indebtedness due Garth from Birdsall and 20 shares of stock in the building and investment association. His step-mother, five shares of stock in the building and investment association. His aunt, Mrs. Belle Birdsall, 20 shares of stock in the building and investment association. Casper Tyrrell Garth and Thomas Tyrrell Garth, sons, were designated as executors of the estate. The will was drawn July 9, 1929.
Source: Port Arthur News, January 15, 1930.
