Rites in Texas for Mrs. Tyrrell

A lengthy illness culminated in the death Thursday morning of last week of Mrs. Ellen Christie Tyrrell, mother of W.P. Tyrrell, at St. Elizabeth’s hospital, Beaumont, Texas. She was 89 years of age.

Funeral services were held on Friday morning at Broussard Mortuary Chapel, Beaumont, with Rev. John Wesley Hardt, pastor of the First Methodist church, officiating. Entombment was in the Tyrrell Mausoleum in Magnolia cemetery at Beaumont.

A native of Belmond, Ellen Christie was born Nov. 15, 1873, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Christie. She was graduated from Belmond High School in 1891 and for three years attended Cornell college at Mount Vernon.

She was married on June 12, 1900 to W.C. Tyrrell, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. “Cap” Tyrrell, Sr. The elder W.C. Tyrrell was a prominent early-day citizen of this county who in 1900 moved to Texas, where engaged extensively in the oil business and rice growing and acquired numerous other business interests.

Mrs. Tyrrell and her husband had the present W.P. Tyrrell home south of town built in 1913. They moved in 1940 to Beaumont, where Mr. Tyrrell was associated with various family business interests.

They divided their time between Beaumont and Belmond, spending their summers here until Mr. Tyrrell’s death in 1943.

“Cap” Tyrrell engaged in many philanthropies in his adopted home of Beaumont. These included the gift to the city of Tyrrell Library and also of the land on which the city’s Tyrrell Park is located.

Mrs. Tyrrell is survived by her five children. They are, in addition to the son living here: Mrs. Wesley W. Kyle, Jr., Harry F. and W.C. Tyrrell, Jr. of Beaumont, and David C. Tyrrell of Shreveport, LA. She also leaves 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Tyrrell had continued membership in the Congregational church here. She was a charter member of the Wesley Class of Beaumont’s First Methodist Church and of the Women’s Society of Christian Service. She was a life member of the Beaumont Women’s Club, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star.

W.P. Tyrrell had gone to Beaumont a week ago last Wednesday unaware that his mother on that day had undergone major surgery. He remained there during her final illness and was in attendance at the funeral service held last Friday.

Source: Wright County Monitor, June 30, 1963.

Assorted Business News Items

Vincent Carr has served [sic] his connection with the Markovitt’s store. (Middletown Times Herald, January 6, 1932)

Vincent Carr, recently discharged from service, has resumed his work with Charles Kithcart. (Middletown Times Herald, December 20, 1945)

OCEANSIDE NEWS: David Rorick, an attorney from Des Moines, Iowa, is building a residence on Pacific avenue. He will open an office here for the practice of his profession. (Los Angeles Times, June 26, 1906)

Frank Rorick is clerking in G.M. Graves’ insurance agency. (Daily Huronite, April 12, 1886)

Report of Superintendents of Poor House Farm shows that Jacob Rorick succeeded N.K. Beardslee. Failure of crops increased expenses of institution, a long and hard winter ran the number of inmates up to 110. Of the 99 inmates on May 10, forty-five were children too young to be bound out. (Newspaper Clippings from the Sussex Register. 1897-1899. Newton, NJ: The Register. Item originally published June 19, 1837.)

Superintendents of poor house and farm publish annual report; express satisfaction with Mr. Rorick and re-engage him at increased salary; he had improved the meadows and proved himself to be a superior farmer. Owing to the bad year only three bushels of wheat and 47 1/2 of rye were gathered from the farm; many sheep had been lost through scab. (Newspaper Clippings from the Sussex Register. 1897-1899. Newton, NJ: The Register. Item originally published June 25, 1838.)

Mr. Harry F. Tyrrell, secretary of the university Y.M.C.A., will attend the annual convention of Y.M.C.A. secretaries to convene at Saugatuck, Mich., on June 27th for a two weeks session. He will be accompanied by Mrs. Tyrrell. (Iowa City Press Citizen, June 26, 1925)

Julia Rorick Strevelle

Julia Ann Rorick was born at Knightstown, Indiana, June 26, 1856. When a child of two years, she came with her parents and settled in Jones County, Iowa, on a farm near Oxford Mills, where she grew to womanhood. She was married in June 1870 to Dr. D.E. Strevelle. He practiced medicine in Oxford Mills and in 1904 they removed to Canada. Most of her life was spent here in Oxford Mills. Dr. Strevelle passed way in New York state October 16th, 1916, where he was buried. After Dr. Strevelle’s death, she and her son, George W. Strevelle, made their home in Oxford Mills. She was a member of the Methodist church and was beloved by her relatives and friends. For the past four years her health had declined and four weeks ago she was taken to Mercy Hospital, Anamosa, where she passed away Wednesday morning, November 7th, 1923, being 67 years, 5 months and 11 days of age. The remains were brought to the home at Oxford Mills Wednesday of last week, from where funeral services were held Friday afternoon, and interment made in the Mayflower cemetery. Besides her son, she is survived by three brothers, Samuel Rorick, Venice, Cal.; Dallas Rorick, of Monticello; Sidney Rorick, of Oxford Mills; also three nieces and six nephews. Her only sister, Mrs. Helen Tyrrell of Beaumont, Texas, passed away four years ago, and her oldest living brother, Dave, died last May in Oceanside, California.

Source: Oxford Mirror, November 15, 1923.

Strevell Family News

Dr. Strevell, our old townsman, has got his new house up and nearly enclosed, located on upon Green street. (Oxford Mirror, June 24, 1889)

Mrs. D.E. Strevelle and son, of Hawkeye, Iowa, are visiting Mrs. Strevelle’s mother, Mrs. C.H. Rorick, at this place. (Oxford Mirror, June 27, 1889)

D.E. Strevell, of Delhi, was on our streets last week. (Oxford Mirror, September 3, 1891)

Mrs. D.E. Strevelle, of Yorktown, Canada, and Mrs. W.E. Tyrrell, of Belmond, Iowa, sisters of S.E. Rorick, returned to their respective homes last Thursday morning, having spent a couple of weeks here. (Oxford Mirror, September 12, 1901)

Sidney E. Rorick

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.

Mrs. C.H. Rorick Dead

The Aged Lady Joins the Silent Majority After a Lingering Illness

Mrs. C.H. Rorick, of Oxford Mills, died at her home at that place on Tuesday morning at 10:30 A.M. after a prolonged illness of about three months duration. During that time the lady has been a severe sufferer, and death came as a great relief. Her life work is ended, and she joins the silent majority in that prolonged sleep from which no one wakes. Mrs. Rorick has been all that a good woman, a faithful and devoted wife and mother could be. Her family of eight children was her continued pride, and in their welfare and success were centered her highest ambitions. Those who have been nearest her through life and for whose well being she labored, will not be alone in mourning her loss. Neighbors who have known her for years, speak only in words of praise of her life work, and that it is now ended, all regret. She had out lived the allotted “four score years and ten,” however, and when her work here on earth was ended, she passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior.

Julia F. Kimball was born in Patterson [sic], New Jersey, October 14, 1821, and died at Oxford Mills, Iowa, August 27, 1901, aged nearly eighty years. In 1836, she was married to C.H. Rorick, to which union were born eight children – G.H. Rorick, of Lowden, Iowa; Dave Rorick, of St. Louis, Mo.; Sam Rorick, of Oklahoma; D.D. Rorick, of this city; Mrs. W.E. [sic] Tyrrell, of Belmond, Iowa; S.E. Rorick, of Oxford Mills; and Mrs. D.E. Strevelle, of Yorktown, Canada – all of whom, with the exception of G.H.Rorick are still living.

In 1859, the family moved to Iowa and located in this vicinity, where they have since resided, Oxford Mills being their residence.

Funeral services were held at the M.E. Church at Oxford Mills at 2 o’clock this afternoon, Rev. J.S. Westfall officiating; and internment made in the cemetery at this place.

The Mirror joins with the many friends in expressing sympathy with the bereaved ones who are left to mourn her death.

Source: The Oxford Mirror, August 29, 1901.

The Tyrrell Rice Milling Company of Beaumont, TX

Founded in 1916 by Captain W.C. Tyrrell, B.A. Steinhagen, J.E. Josey, and R. C. Miller, the Tyrrell Rice Milling Company has made significant progress as one of the strongest organizations of its kind in the Lone Star State.

Since that period of formation in 1915, various events occurred which would have disrupted less strongly built companies, but because of the excellent management it went steadily on its way of progress. Shortly after Capt. Tyrrell died, his interests were withdrawn from the company as were those of Mr. Steinhagen. V.C. Clark, who started with the company in 1916, took over the active management of the company in 1927 as secretary and manager with R.C. Miller, Pres.; J.S. Gordon, V.P.; and J.F. Josey, Treas.

With more than thirty years of rice milling experience behind him, Mr. Clark may well point to his record and reputation with the pride one feels in a job well done. Most of the business of the company up to a few years ago was export trade, but of late, a considerable amount of rice is being shipped to Cuba where the Tyrrell Company has rate advantages over foreign competitors.

Great credit is due to Mr. Clark for the excellent direction he has given to the company’s affairs, for under his guidance, the Tyrrell Rice Milling Company is indeed a credit to Texas and the nation.

Source: Stickle, Waldo Arthur. 1937. The State of Texas: One Hundred Years of Prosperity. Austin, TX: The State Bureau of Research and Publishing.

William C. Tyrrell

Oxford Junction, Ia., Sept. 13 — W.C. Tyrrell formerly of this city but now of Beaumont, Texas, passed away at his home in that city Sunday, according to a message received here by his brother-in-law, S.E. Rorick. Mr. Tyrrell was born in Pennsylvania in 1847, and was united in marriage with Miss Rorick of this city, who preceded him in death three years ago. He was interested in the Wilson-Tyrrell Co., the Tyrrell Rice Mill and the Josey-Miller company in Beaumont. He presented the city of Beaumont with a library building costing $70,000. He leaves to mourn his death four children, a sister, Mrs. I.M. Dubois, and a brother, C.P. Tyrrell of Cedar Rapids. Internment was made in Beaumont.

Source:  Davenport Democrat and Leader, September 14, 1924

Funeral for Tyrrell to be Held on Wednesday

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.

Links

Following are links to additional information about the Roricks and related families.

Albert V. Foster — From the Toledo’s Attic Website.

Beneath the Starry Flag: New Jersey’s Civil War Experience — A book that includes a description of Captain Lewis Van Blarcom’s experience as a prison of war at the Andersonville prison.

Colleen Gormley’s Page — Related families in Lenawee County, MI.

Columbia Gorge Photo Archives — Use the search feature to find pictures of Eck Rorick as a young man playing baseball and leading a dance band. There is also a photo of the Celilo train crash that killed Mrs. J.N. Walling and her grandson.

George Edward Anderson Collection at BYU — Use the search feature to find photos of Roe A. Deal and his wife, Louise Rorick Deal.

History of Dallesport — Information on J.T. Rorick’s role in the history of this town.

Horton C. Rorick — From the Toledo’s Attic website.

Internet Broadway Database — Information on the career of Gabriel LeRoy “Roy” Walling, actor, playwright, producer, as well as that of his wife, Ruth Guiterman.

Kari Northrup’s Page — Information on the Brees family, including descendants of the three Breese sisters who married the three Rorick brothers.

History of Klickitat County, WA — Information on J.T. Rorick’s role in the early history of this county.

Letter of Mollie Zemmer — Transcription of letter written on the Oregon Trail by Mollie Zemmer, wife of Enos C. Walling.

Loseyite — A mineral found in Sussex County, NJ and named after Samuel R. Losey.

Mary Van Blarcom — Information on her career as an artist and samples of her work.

Mueller Museum — Dedicated to the Mueller family of Decatur, IL.

Nancy Pascal’s Page — A valuable resource for anyone researching Sussex County families.

Old West End Toledo — Use the search feature to look for photos of the Rorick house on Collingwood Avenue.

Historic Images of Oregon — Use the search feature to find some Walling family photographs.

Rhonda Yocom’s Page — Information on the Search and Yocom families of Muskingum County, OH.

Spear Brothers Group — Company run by descendants of Philetus Spear and Deborah Rorick.

Sutton Family Genealogy — Dennis Sutton’s page includes information on the descendants of Hannah Rorick and Jacob Sutton.

Tyrrell Historical Library — Donated to Beaumont, TX by Capt. W.C. Tyrrell in memory of his wife Helen Frances Rorick.