Orson Jewell Demmon

FUNERAL RITES FOR O.J. DEMMON HELD IN FLORIDA

Pioneer of Wyoming is Laid to Rest at St. Cloud on March 15th

Funeral services for the late O.J. Demmon, who passed away at his home in St. cloud, Fla., on Sunday, March 13th, were held from the home in St. Cloud, with the I.O.O.F. lodge of that city in charge, on Tuesday, March 15th. Interment took place in the St. Cloud cemetery.

Mr. Demmon's history in this state dates back to 1867 when he, with his wife and father-in-law came to Cheyenne, the two men engaging in hauling. After this venture Mr. Demmons entered the dairy business and followed this pursuit for about a year.

In 1876, after the Black Hills had been opened by the government, he took a load of passengers and provisions to Deadwood and on his return trip, stopped at Indian Springs and with a Mr. Lockhart, located a ranch in the Rawhide Butte country, south of Lusk. He later renamed the place "Silver Springs," by which it is now known. While on the ranch he engaged in cattle and horse raising.

He followed this occupation for a number of years, at the end of which time he moved his family to Lusk, opened a livery barn and conducted this business for 12 years. Mr. Demmon built the first two-story fireproof building in Lusk, that in which the Brown Pharmacy is now located.

Mr. and Mrs. Demmon raised a family of thirteen children. Mrs. Demmon passed away in 1911, and a few years following her death, Mr. Demmon moved to Florida, spending the remaining years of his life, with the exception of a summer spent here at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Geo. H. Saffell.

Orson Jewell Demmon was born in Ohio, May 11, 1843 and died at St. Cloud, Fla., March 13, 1927 at the age of 83 years, 10 months, 2 days.

He was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted from Illinois, and after the war, because of broken health, was advised to seek the climate of Colorado, coming to that state in May, 1866. He farmed for a time near Denver, and following two successive crop failures, went to freighting between Denver and Cheyenne. He made his home in the latter place in the fall of 1867.

On November 5, 1867 he was wedded to Mary Cordelia Pennock at Denver. To this union were born ten sons, Irvin, deceased; LeRoy, Will, Orson, Evan, Homer, Alvin, Earl, deceased; and Bert, and three daughters, Lillie, Hope and Pearl. All the children were born in Wyoming.

After moving to Florida, Mr. Demmon was again married and his widow, along with the above named children, survive him.

Mr. Demmon at the time of death, was a member of Custer Lodge No. 21, I.O.O.F. and the Rebekah lodge of this city, being a charter member of the former.

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