Orange MCOMBER

                   MILITARY:
    Orange enlisted in 1865 with the 8th NY Cavalry, like his uncle Van Rensselaer McOmber.  He was mustered out a few months later.

PHOTO:
    There is a photo of Orange McComber online at http://traubfamilyhistory.awardspace.com/mcomberwar.html

HISTORICAL NOTES:
    Excellent historical information, including accounts of his conversion, separation from his wives in Utah, marriage and residence in Oregon, and death by house fire, are included in the notes and were retrieved from http://www.johnpratt.com/ruth/histories/cdm/cdm3.html



Orange McOmber 
Marinda's second husband
Calvin's father
Born October 9, 1844son of Richard and Eliza Cook McOmberAt Gaines Orleans, New YorkFought in the Civil WarBaptized and confirmed December 17, 1882 at Lewiston, UtahBecame an Elder Dec 17,188?Married April 24, 1866 to Vilda (Lucinda Avilda) Vorce in MichiganMarried to Marinda Elizabeth Griffith about 1884 Div.,Hyde Park(Taken from Lewiston Ward,FJL film 0,025,596)Last wife is Mary Ann Dine, BaptistDied November 4, 1932 in a house fireBuried Nov. 5, 1932, Soldier's home, Roseburg, Oregon
Why did Orange come west after he fought in the civil war? This question was answered by some research done by Nikki McOmber, Avilda's Great Grandson. "Vilda" Vorce or Lucinda Avilda Vorce, married Orange on April 24, 1866 at Michigan. Vilda, or Avilda, was Orange's first wife. 
Vilda's mother, Semantha Tolles Vorse (1809-1878) was baptized into the Mormon Church September, 1843, in Pavilion, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Semantha was born May 19, 1809 (daughter of John Tolles and Catherine Sibley) In Bennington, Genessee Co. New York. She and her husband were the first settlers in an area that is now known as Pavilion, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan. It was part of the Michigan Territory when her husband Carlo received 166.49 acres on May 15, 1834 for farming. This is where Avilda Vorse was born, on April 12, 1842, Pavilion Michigan. Avilda was ten years old when her mother joined the church. Her father died in 1850, leaving Samantha a widow at the age of 40 years old. Interesting to note that Samantha Tolles Vorce has a link of heritage to Parley P.Pratt, Both Parley and Semantha have the same great grandfather: Ebenezer Tolles. 
Being the only member of the church in the Vorce family, Samantha (Vilda's mother) migrated to Utah in the 1860's. Her daughte, Vilda married Orange McOmber at this time period in Michigan. Semantha settled at Bountiful Utah. Records show that Orange and Vilda followed Samantha, also settling in Bountiful. In 1869 Avilda and Orange had their first son, Charles Orange McOmber on June 21, 1869 in Bountiful, Davis Co., Utah Territory. According to Charles O., the family was baptized when he was twelve years old.According to the 1870 sensus of Bountiful, Semantha was a resident on August 15, 1870 of Bountiful, Davis Co., Utah. In 1873 she moved to Woodruff, Rich Co.Utah. In 1873 Vilda's two year old son Charles O., came to live with Grandma Samantha when his younger brother Ray was born on June 21, 1873. Young Charles lived with Samantha and Uncle Marcus for two years until Orange and Avilda moved to Woodruff. Grandma Samantha died in 1878, age 69 August 21, 1878 in Woodruff, Rich Co., Utah. She was a pioneer woman who came west and her children followed her, though they did not join the church until after her death. Samantha's son, Marcus, also joined the church and resided in Woodruff. He never married and records show he gave his property to his sister Avilda McOmber. Orange McOmber and Avilda Vorce McOmber as young marriedsA patriarchal blessing was given May 8, 1867 from John Smith in the city of Bountiful, Davis Co., Utah, to Samantha Vorse, born May 19, 1809. In her blessing she was promised that many of her posterity would yet embrace the gospel, that through her untiring energies and faith, would rejoice with her in the gospel. "For thou shalt receive thy reward, for every desire of thy heart in righteousness shall be granted thee, for thou hast, thru yielding obedience unto the work of God thru his servants, secured unto thyself salvation and also many of thy kindred."It was through Samantha that Vilda and Orange came to Utah and both joined the church here after Samantha had passed away. Her blessing came true. After Vilda and Orange came to Utah they went to Hyde Park. Interesting to note that both Patison Delos Griffith and Orange are from Orleans County New York. Perhaps there is a connection here of friendship, for Orange takes Patison's daughter Marinda for his second wife. They have two children: Calvin Delos and "Minnie", which is a nick name for Marinda, named after her mother. Minnie died of Whooping Cough and Calvin survived it as a young child. 
Why did Orange leave Hyde Park and leave his families? Those questions may only be answered in the next life. For a new convert as he was, to be subjected to the trials, persecutions, and responsibilities of church members at that time, it may have been too much for him. Perhaps it was easier to move to Roseburg, Oregon and marry a Baptist. We do not know why he moved away, but we do know that there was a separation, he left, and his children had no contact with him. He was a six foot tall, handsome man, from Scottish decent. He came from the eastern McOmbers. Most of the Massachusett McOmbers were from the Quaker registry. Chapter 7 has more on the McOmber's for more information. From Orange's obituary we read: 
Mr. McOmber, who was born in New York state, October 9, 1844 served as a corporal in Company K, 8th New York calvary, during the civil war. He was admitted to the Oregon state soldier's home from La Grande, May 6, 1913 and had made his home continuously in Roseburg since that time. He came to Oregon from Idaho in 1901.
During recent years he and his wife had been living in the small cottage which they had purchased, located near the Fullerton school. For a period of several years Mr. McOmber was employed as operator of the elevator at the Perkins building, becoming well known to many residents of the city. In late years he had been an invalid.
Surviving Mr. McOmber in addition to his widow, are a son, James R. McOmber, California; a daughter, Mrs. CJ Black, La Grande, Oregon, a step daughter: Mrs JH Kanes, Roseburg. (Also Calvin D McOmber Of Pocatello)
Funeral services were held at the soldiers' home cemetery this afternoon. Arrangements were in charge of HC Stearns.
He died a tragic death: the obituary states: Orange McOmber, 88 year old civil war veteran, well known in Roseburg, where he has resided since 1913, was burned to death and his wife, 82 years of age, was critically burned when their cottage located just west of the city limits of Roseburg, near the Fullerton school, was destroyed by fire shortly after 10 o'clock last night.
Mr. McOmber, who had been in very poor health for several years, attempted, it was reported, to warm himself before a fire made of newspapers. On previous occasions he had, it was learned, built a fire of papers in a bucket, and it is believed that this practice resulted last night in setting fire to the curtains of the home, causing the fire which occasioned his death. (1932 Nov. 4).
Mrs McOmber tried to extinguish the blaze, and in doing so was burned about the face and arms. Mr. McOmber was too feeble to escape from the house, and lacking the strength to assist him, Mrs. McOmber hurried outside to secure help. By the time assistance was secured, the building was ablaze to such an extent that a rescue attempt was impossible. Mrs. McOmber was treated at Mercy hospital and is in satisfactory condition. (She passed away the next day.)
As the story goes, Orange worked as a lumberman when he met Marinda. She was a cook for the crew and later married Orange. She was his second wife. Calvin D. Sr. Writes 
"My father, Orange, evidently spent most of his time at Lewiston, Utah, about 20 miles north of Hyde Park, where he owned a farm, and where Aunt Vilda, his first wife, lived. My mother, his second wife, was Marinda Elizabeth Griffith. About the time we moved in with my grandparents, my younger sister, Minnie and I had whooping cough, at which time she also had pneumonia, and died at the early age of 20 months.
When I was four, Mother and I went to Bennington, Idaho to visit my father and Aunt Vilda. Father had many farm horses, which I enjoyed looking at in the corral. I have thought, in later years, that the purpose of the visit was to determine whether or not my parents would be divorced. Evidently, they decided to separate, for I didn't see my father again until the summer of 1925 when I visited him at the Soldier's Home in Roseburg, Oregon. He was burned to death there."(Nov.4, 1932 was time of death.) A letter written to Calvin from his father Orange McOmber From the State of Oregon, Soldiers' Home After the United State Marshals were sent to Utah to imprison Polygamists, due to the Edmund Tucker law, many left for Old Mexico to keep their families in tack. Many plural marriages were not announced due to the illigality of polygmany. The legal pressures may have caused some marriages to be shattered.
A letter from Orange to his son Calvin: Jan. 19, 1926238 Roosevelt Ave. Pocatello, Idaho(See the original on page 72)Calvin, you want more than I can give you of my people. I cannot give you any dates or ages for I have not heard from them for years. So I can't tell what I don't know, My Father's name: Richard McOmber, My mother: Eliza McOmber,( Eliza Cook)My Brothers:Richard, Herman, Charles, Sisters: Francis, BalindaFrom Orange McOmber 
From 1850 Census, Orleans Co. New York F N.Y 2 pt 61, serial no. 3988: Calvin records:Town of Gaines:Asa McOmber m 47, painter NYMorella f.41MarionJuliaGeorgeMerrittJaneFannyFred EunicePardon McOmber M. 73 Wagon makerEuniceAkin M, Instrument MakerRichard McOmber 37 m. Born in NYLaborerEliza 32Frances, belinda, Mariah, Orange, Dick, Olive and Olive born in R.I. From Orange's Family: 1. Richard McOmber, 18472. Oranges'brother: James McOmber3. Children of James A. and Mary Murwin McOmber. Sitting: Byron George, Loyd Horace, Ernest Murwin, Flora LovinaStanding, Clara Lucinda, Edith Eliza, Howard Elmer4. Etta McOmber and husband, Frank Lombard.Charles Orange McOmber, son of Orange and Vilda, writes about his family.
"I was baptized when I was twelve years old, when my folks joined the church in 1981 at Lewiston, Utah. My folks moved to Bountiful, then to Cache Valley. I don't know much about my father (Orange). His father's name was Richard McOmber and his mother's name was Eliza Cook Holland. His brothers and sisters were Richard, Hyrum, Francis, Balinda, and Henrietta. Orange and his 4th wife were burned to death when their house burned. His first wife, was Lucinda Avilda Vorce, my mother. His second wife was Marinda E. Griffith, she was Calvin's mother. His other two wives, I do not know their names, but I know he was married four times."
Vilda died April 16, 1919 at St. Anthony, Fremont, Idaho. When Charles O. died in 1958, Calvin D. Sr. said the prayer at his funeral. 
When Ray McOmber died in Pocatello, Calvin D spoke at his funeral.Calvin D. McOmber did some research on the McOmbers and believes that the family were MayFlower descendants. He states:The Calendar of Devenshire wills show Thomas MaComber of Exeter made his will in 1697. Through a genealogist in Devonshire England, thought the inventory of Thomas MaComber of Exeter was recorded in 1621. He left a widow Jane. He was a grocer in a large way of business, leaving property in Ireland.I found a family of Meacomber and Macomber in the Vicinity of Ashburton and Totnes. The dates range from 1590 to 1630 and the names are Walter, Christopher, Gregory, Margaret, and Edmund. These items point to Devoneshire England as the home of the ancestors of the Macomber family. In America the name was spelled as in England Macomber and Macumber. Noticeable that Thornasine Macomber widow of probably or Thomas Macomber married John Adams. Combe is old English word and means "Valley." The Massachuset McOmber's show a high percentage of them were of the Quaker religion. From a letter to Grandfather we read:Dear Friend Calvin D. McOmber,From: 1015 Roseland Ave, Kalamzoo, Michigan,"I happen to have a genealogy of the McComber family. It is excerpts of the original work done by Everett S. Stockpole about 1910 and published by the Journal Company of Lewiston Maine. The book also includes the spelling of the name, the family in Scotland, crest and coat-of-arms. The first generation is William Macomber and Ursilla Wm. Born 1610, died 1670. The second generation: William Macomner and Mary (?) Wm. Died 1711Third generation William Macomber and Elizabeth Randall, William Born Sept. 26, 1674. Died 1767. Elizabeth Rogers, Timothy Born Oct 8, 1711, died 1791, (fourth generation)Fifth generation, William McOmber and Sarah Brownell, Wm. Born Mar 26, 1740, died 1824, Sixth generation, Roger Macomber and Anee Waterman, Roger gorn 1763, died 1843Seventh generation: Allen Macomber and Ester Howe, Allen born March 17, 1807, died 1887.Eighth generation, Lewis Allen Macomber and Fanny S. Smith. Lewis born March 14, 1844, died 1915Nineth generation Mark Allen Macomber and Helen L Heath. Born May 20, 1871 died 1945Tenth generation Richard Mccomber and Rodetta I. Martin, I was born Oct 10th, 1911. He could not find a Richard McOmber. I can not see your side of the family mentioned. Love from Richard A. Macomber.