James O'Rorke's name was probably misspelled throughout his service. His relatives decided to give him the funeral he never had. The dedication ceremony was held at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Rochelle, Illinois.
The O'Roark's were given a headstone on James O'Rorke's behalf. The Sons of Union veterans of the Civil War conducted the service.
The 92nd Illinois organized in Freeport with members from Carroll, Stephenson and Ogle counties. James O'Rorke was born in Ireland. In 1859, he and his family moved to Rochelle and numerous descendants still live in the area. Many were present at Saturday's ceremony.
Upon his death, James' mother received $8 a month survivor's pension from the government.
I'd never Heard of the General Lyon Disaster Before This. --Old Secesh
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Rochelle Illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rochelle Illinois. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Family Effort Results in Finding a Civil War Ancestor: Victim of General Lyon Disaster
From the October 4, 2014, Ogle County (Illinois) News "Family Effort results in service for Civil War victim" by Andy Colbert.
At a Memorial Day service at Oregon's Riverside Cemetery, John and Sandy O'Rorke learned of Civil War veteran James Butterfield of Rochelle who died on the S.S. Sultana disaster at the end of the war. They already knew that they had a Civil War veteran from Rochelle who had died on a sinking ship.
Could this be him?
Local historian Otto Dick researched and found that O'Roark's relative was on a different ship that sank off of Cape Hatteras. That relative was James O'Roark of the 92nd Illinois who served 1862-1865. In the final year of the war, he was at the Confederate prison Andersonville.
Upon release, he was put on the steamer General Lyon bound for New York. It exploded and all aboard died, including O'Roark.
More to Come. --Old secesh
At a Memorial Day service at Oregon's Riverside Cemetery, John and Sandy O'Rorke learned of Civil War veteran James Butterfield of Rochelle who died on the S.S. Sultana disaster at the end of the war. They already knew that they had a Civil War veteran from Rochelle who had died on a sinking ship.
Could this be him?
Local historian Otto Dick researched and found that O'Roark's relative was on a different ship that sank off of Cape Hatteras. That relative was James O'Roark of the 92nd Illinois who served 1862-1865. In the final year of the war, he was at the Confederate prison Andersonville.
Upon release, he was put on the steamer General Lyon bound for New York. It exploded and all aboard died, including O'Roark.
More to Come. --Old secesh
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