Elmer Orris (1943)

BECKWORTH, ODELL, OLLS, ORRIS

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 9/1/2006 at 19:57:45

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, February 24, 1943

ELMER ORRIS DIED HERE ON MONDAY

Veteran Winterset Automobile Dealer in Failing Health Several Years

Elmer Orris, Winterset automobile dealer and one of the most influential citizens of Madison county for nearly half a century, died Monday at his home here after a long illness. He was 70 years of age.

Mr. Orris had been in the automobile business in Winterset since 1908, a period of 35 years. During all that time he was agent for the Buick automobile in this territory, and had the distinction of being the oldest dealer in the Buick organization.

He was one of the oldest members of the Masonic lodge in Winterset. Although the only public office he ever held was a term on the city council, he exerted considerable influence over the civic and political affairs of Winterset and Madison county over a long period of years.

Mr. Orris was born near Ainsworth, on Jan. 1, 1873, the son of Levi and Hannah Olls Orris. When he was a small boy the family moved to Union county, and later to Des Moines. He came to Madison county as a young man, and for a number of years farmed in Webster township.

In 1908 he moved to Winterset and entered the automobile business, then an infant industry. He started the Palace Garage, which he operated individually until 1917, and since that time he has operated in partnership with Ed Cain.

He is survived by his wife; one daughter by his first marriage, Mrs. Fern O'Dell of Glendale, Calif.; and one brother, D. W. Orris of Pasadena, Calif. His only son, also born of his first marriage, died in infancy.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon from Ramsey-Richards funeral home in Winterset, in charge of the Rev. W. A. Samp of the Methodist church. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.
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The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, February 25, 1943
Page 1, Column 3

ELMER ORRIS, 70, DIED HERE MON.

Entered the Automobile Business Here In 1908. Ill Several Years.

Elmer Orris, 70 year old pioneer automobile dealer of Winterset, died Monday at his home here after an illness of several years. Mr. Orris has operated the Palace Garage here since 1908, and was, until the time of his illness, taking a leading part in the affairs of the community. He served two terms on the city council, was a member of the Masonic lodge, and active in many civic organizations.

Mr. Orris was born January 1, 1873, the son of Levi and Hannah Olls Orris, on a farm near Ainsworth, Iowa. He moved with his parents to Des Moines, and early in life came to Madison county, where he operated a farm in Webster township. In 1908, Mr. Orris came to Winterset and entered into the garage business. For eight years he operated a garage on east Jefferson street, in a building erected for that purpose by Delos Campbell. After moving several times he located his business in its present location on east Court avenue. Ed Cain, former Macksburg resident, associated with Mr. Orris in his automobile agency in 1918.

Mr. Orris was married to Ethel Rosenbaugh on November 17, 1927 at Clarinda, Iowa. Besides his wife he is survived by a daughter from a former marriage, Miss (sic) Fern O’Dell of Long Beach, California, a brother, William, of Pasadena, and a niece, Phyllis Beckworth of Long Beach.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at the Ramsey–Richards Funeral Home, and interment was made in the Winterset cemetery.

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