Orme, Francis and Joseph. Papers, 1855-1860 | Illinois History and Lincoln Collections

This collection consists of reports, ephemera, and correspondence of Francis and Joseph Orme during their time at Georgetown College (Washington, D.C.) from 1855-1860.

Francis, known as Frank (1838-1903), and Joseph Orme (1839-1863) were younger brothers of William W. Orme, brigadier general in the Illinois 94^th volunteer infantry and friend of Abraham Lincoln. Both Francis and Joseph Orme were born in Washington, D.C. and attended Georgetown College. After college, Joseph enlisted in the  94^th Illinois infantry. He died on January 1, 1863, near Prairie Grove, Arkansas, at the age of twenty-four. Francis Orme married Mary Frances ("Fanny") McCullough, the sister of his brother William Orme's wife, Nancy McCullough. After hearing the news of the death of General William McCullough, Fanny and Nancy's father, Abraham Lincoln wrote to Fanny expressing his grief, stating, "Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You can not now realize that you will ever feel better. Is not this so? And yet it is a mistake. You are sure to be happy again."

This collection contains reports, ephemera, and correspondence from the years that Francis and Joseph Orme attended Georgetown College in Washington, D.C. Of the nine college reports, eight are for Joseph Orme. Reports cover subjects such as Greek, Latin, English, French recitations and compositions, mathematics, arithmetic. Reports also remark on standings and conducts within each subject. Ephemera includes commencement programs and event invitations. Correspondents include friends and family; transcripts of letters are also included in the collection.

Lucy Orme Morgan, daughter of William W. Orme, donated the collection, along with the papers of her father, to the Illinois Historical Survey, predecessor to the Illinois History and Lincoln Collections, in 1930 and 1931. This collection was separated from the William W. Orme Papers in June 2022.