The collection focuses upon William Orendorff (March 26, 1792 – May 12, 1869), one of the first settlers of Blooming Grove, Illinois (1823). He was also the first Justice of the Peace in McLean County (1825) and served as auctioneer at the first sale of town lots in Bloomington (1831).
Much of the collection centers on the children of the second marriage:
Sarah Orendorff Baker, 1820-48
Oliver H. P. Orendorff, 1822-90
John Lewis Orendorff, 1825-1909
Mary J. Orendorff Cheney, and 1826-68
Nancy Orendorff Creel, 1829-59
The collection contains correspondence among the children of William Orendorff. Numerous receipts and business related documents relate to the Frederick Trimmer estate of which William Orendorff was administrator. Other items in the collection include the Hollis’ correspondence, George P. Orendorff’s postal items, and other materials.
Most of the collection dates to the nineteenth century; though George P Orendorff’s rural letter carrier materials and some others are from the twentieth.