Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-02-09
". A. LoRIMER,
war VETERAN,
ANSWERS CALL
Pneumonia Proves Fatal to FamOuoi
Captain, One Of Mercer County's
Most Prominent Citizens.

Captain William A. Lorimor, aged
70 years. q long time resident OF
Mercer county. passed away at his
home following a short illness Of
pneumonia. MIR. Loriner had been
In poor health for some time. and
last Wednesday he suffered an at
tack Of pneumonia, which proved
fatal. He was a veteran Of the
Civil war, in which he was hon.
ored with a captaincy. long time
member and officer OF the Masons.
and was one OF the most popular OF
Mercer county residents.
Mr.. Lorimer was the author and
editor of a book entitled 1.-THE His
tory Of Mercer County" compiled
In connection with THE Historical
Encyclopedia OF Illinois" He was
at various times in public office,
and held Offices in numerous ma
tional lodges. He was also prom
inent In local church work, being
4 member In his early youth Of the
Presbyterian church and later
member Of the First Methodist
church Of Aledo.
Born in Scotland.
Captain Lorimer was born In
Perth, Scotland, Aug. -, IS40, and
at the age OF years came with
his parents to America. The fam
lily settled first in Pennsylvania.
but in 1850 moved to Ohio. settling
at Hudson, Summit county, and
three years later came to Mercer
county, residing in Keithsburg.
Mr.. Lorimer, then Il years OF
age, was employed as clerk IN the
general store OF James A. Noble
and B. F. Prick 4 Co. Ia April.
1861, he enlisted in Company l, 18th
regiment Of Illinois infantry. the
first company Of infantry to be or
ganiZed in Mercer county. After
holding the rank Of sergeant for
some time, he was promoted to q
second lieutenancy and later to q
captaincy.
His regiment formed a part OF
General Logan's division of the
18th army corps. army of the Ten
nessee, and participated in nearly
all the battles in the western de-
partment of the army. He was
| wounded at the siege of Fort DON
aldson, also at Shiloh and Vicks-
burg.
! Returned to keitbsburg.
At the close of the war he return
! ed to Keithsburg and was employed
in the store OF G. s. Ortiz 4 Co., re-
naming until 1868. when he was
elected clerk OF the circuit court
and recorder for Mercer county,
holding the Office for two terms.
until 1876. In that year he opened
dry goods store in Aledo with
John Mckinney. Jr.
| In 1853 Captain Lorimer was
married to Orpha Jean Calhoun OF
keithsburg, and to the union were
born five children. only one OF
whom is now living Bernice
Blake, who resides in Chicago.
In 1877 he was appointed by. Gov
ernor Cullom as member OF his
staff. and in 1892 was nominated
and represented the Tenth congress
sional district as one OF the dele
gates to the Republican national
convention at Minneapolis. MIR.
Lorimer retired from public life
several years ago and had since
made his home in Aledo.
He was member OF Warren
Shedd post. No. 2G2. G. 4. R.; Ale
do lodge. No. 2o2. A. F. & A. NJ:
Cyrus chapter. No. I'll, r. A. NJ.
and Rock Island comnandery. No.
IS, Knights Templar.
Besides his one daughter, Mr..
! Lorimer is survived by his widow,
| who had been il constant attend
ance throughout his illness. Funer-
| al services will be held at $50
O'Clock tomorrow afternoon ct the
Methodist church. Aledo lodge.
No. 262, A. +. & A. NJ, will be in
| charge. DR.. F. f. Shut will offici-
ate. Burial will be in Aledo Gene
terry.