Person:Albert Ordway (1)

Albert Kirk Ordway, son of Ira J Ordway and Eliza Ann Clarke, was born on 30 March 1854 in West Edmeston, New York and died unexpectedly on 10 March 1891 in Baltimore, Maryland. No one in the family ever had a clear story about what happened to Albert. The family story was that he became ill and died while visiting friends in Baltimore. It is only recently through the proliferation internet sources that details of Albert's life have surfaced.

Elizabeth divorced Albert in Cook County Illinois. The court records report that Albert was frequently drunk and that no one was able to help him. According to court records his father had sent him to a sanitarium in hopes of a cure.

The 1888 Chicago city directory shows him boarding at 120 S. Morgan. This is the same address that Sophie Beekman lived in the 1880 census.

He is said to have helped fight the Chicago fire and was gone from home for several days.

Albert married a second time and there are two marriage records to support this. Per Illinois marriage records Albert K. Ordway married Mrs. Sophie Beekman in Cook County, IL on 3/13/89. Records also show that he married Sophie Beekman on 31 MAR 1885 in Cassopolis, Cass County Michigan.

Per the Sabbath Recorder Italic textv. 122 p. 208 he died tragically in Washington, DC. The family bible says he died in Baltimore and the Baltimore Maryland city death records record his death there. City records show that he died of hemorrhage from a self-inflicted gun shot wound.

== From the Utica Morning Herald 1891 == Snell's Son-in-law Doesn't Believe It. CHICAGO. Oct. 14.---Albert J. Stone, son-in-law of the murdered millionaire Snell, said last night that he took no stock in the sensational story from Baltimore. "This is the first time," he said, "that the I name of Al Ordway has been mentioned in connection with the case. I know him quite well and was surprised to learn of his death. I used to have my clothes made at his father's shop on Madison street, and the worst thing I ever heard of him was that he was addicted to drink. Perhaps if I knew something of the woman's character and reputation for veracity, I might consider the matter. But as the story now stands unsubstantiated I would consider it false and without foundation." Ira J. Ordway, father of Albert, said that his son married a Mrs. Beekman, who lived on Morgan street. Soon after the marriage they went to Baltimore. The Tascott- story, he had never heard of before, he said, and could give no opinion. He refused to say anything about the death of his son further than it occurred in Baltimore. None of the family went there to attend the funeral.

1. ↑ The Sabbath Recorder
   47:12:192, March 19, 1891.

   Albert Kirk Ordway, in Baltimore, Md., March 10, 1891, of hemorrhage, aged 36 years, 11 months and 11 days.
   Albert removed from West Edmeston, N. Y., to Chicago in 1871 with his parents, Ira J. and Eliza C. Ordway, where he has since resided until the fall of 1890, when he was called to Baltimore on account of the death of a friend, and has since resided there.

2. ↑ Baltimore City Death records.