An Early Settler of Logan Co., IL JOSEPH ORENDORFF. (1803-1854) Biography of Joseph's youngest son, Alfred Orendorff, in HISTORY OF SANGAMON CO., IL, states that Joseph was a native of North Carolina and gives his birthdate. This is in contrast with birthplace given in census records, which frequently are in error. In the Sangamon Co. history is a brief biography of Joseph's German grandfather, Christopher Orendorff. The grandfather's second son, Christopher (or Christian?) was married at Hagerstown, MD in 1791 to Elizabeth Phillips and soon after spent some time in Georgia and South Carolina, but finally settled in North Carolina, where on 25 November 1803 their son, Joseph Orendorff, was born. Although Joseph and Elizabeth Stephens married in Sangamon Co., IL, Logan Co. their subsequent residence, was formed 1839 and in the 1840 census they appear in the latter county. Males: 1 under 5; 2 ages 5-10; 1 20 and under 30; 2 under 40. Females: 1 under 5; 1 10-15; 1 20-30; 1 under 40. Both parents were born ca. 1802/1803 and thus were under 40 in 1840. Since the couple were married June 1833 in Sangamon Co., IL, we surmise Elizabeth, born in Kentucky, had been some visiting relatives, namely her sister Mary, wife of William McGraw. In 1833, on June 23, in Sangamon Co., Joseph Orendorff married Elizabeth Stevens [Stephens], "a native of Henderson, KY," according to the biography of her son Alfred Orendorff of Sangamon Co.. According to birthdates given for the pair, each was about 29 years old. (Writer is in possession of marriage record.) Logan Co. cemetery and later census records indicate they lost several children. Joseph's Parents Henderson Co., KY deed indexes show Christopher and Elizabeth Orendorff, the parents, were briefly in Henderson Co., KY. AIS census report called EARLY AMERICAN SERIES, EARLY NORTH CAROLINA, Vol. I, 1600-1789, shows a Christopher Orenduff in Wilkes Co., NC, Morrow District, Tax 1793. (BYU F253, .E2) Prior to 1818, Christopher and Elizabeth Orendorff lived in Tennessee and Kentucky, but in 1818, the couple moved to Washington Co., IL. About 1820, they removed to Sugar Creek, Sangamon Co., IL Joseph's Activities In 1839, the northern part of Sangamon Co. became Logan Co., IL. Early probate records of Sangamon Co., IL, show that Joseph Orendorff was involved in the probate of Jas. N. Clark, who died intestate. Another probate of 1834, No. 165 of Montgomery Warrick, named Alfred and Joseph Orenduff [sic]. This Alfred must have been a brother or possibly an uncle of Joseph, as Joseph's son, Alfred, was either a minor, b. ca. 1835, or not yet born. See below for 1850 census showing Joseph's son Alfred as age 5. In 1845, Joseph was a candidate for the 15th General Assembly of Illinois, and he lost the election by four votes. 1850 census, Logan Co., IL, 30 Oct 1850 shows Joseph Orendorff was 46 years old, giving him an approximate birthdate of 1804, real estate $6,000. Although his place of birth is given as "S.C.," two biographies of his son Alfred state he was born in North Carolina. Joseph's wife, Elizabeth, b. KY, was the same age. All four sons were born in Illinois and all attend school: James, age 16 Robert, age 16 (they were twins) Christopher, age 14 Alfred, age 5 Victor Reese, age 16, $400, b. Ohio Biography of Elizabeth Stephens II Orendorff contains information about deeds in Henderson Co., KY executed in 1845 (K-450-451) and in 1851 by herself and husband Joseph Orendorff and her sister Mary McGraw and her husband, William McGraw. They, along with the Christopher Ewings, were residents of Logan Co., heirs of David Stephens, decd (ca. 1813, administration Henderson Co., KY). Christopher Ewing's first wife was said to be Margaret Ann williams (d. 1849) who is believed to be a niece of Elizabeth Stephens Orendorff. Niblick Cemetery, Logan Co., IL cemetery inscriptions show Joseph died 18 Sep 1854. His wife died twelve years later. ........ ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS V 18, p. 420 (University Research Library, UCLA call no F536 I29c, V. 18 shows Joseph Orendorff was candidate for General Assembly from Logan Co., IL.) Submitted by Evelyn W. Wallace hdanw@aol.com Would like to hear from persons interested in this family. May be able to share more information about other Orendorff family members.