Obituaries, Death Notices, and Funeral Notices - O

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Obdyke, John

Ice Water Kills Glenside Man.

Partaking of copious draughts of water upon a hot day was the probably cause of the death of John Obdyke, of Glenside, last Wednesday. Obdyke was a well known farmer of the lower end of this county. Two months ago he resigned his position as farmer for Jay Cook, at Cheltenham, and moved to Glenside, where he conducted his own farm. He was a hard worker, and the recent hot spell did not effect him a little as regards labor. On Tuesday of last week he worked all day upon the township road for the supervisor and during the day he drank large quantities of ice water. Although warned not to drink to much he did so and on Wednesday he was taken ill, it is supposed, from the effects of the water. A physician was sent for, but before he arrived Mr. Obdyke was dead.

Deceased was a wonderful man as regards health. For over 20 years he has had no need for physicians and during that time has used no medicine whatever.

Coroner McGlathery was notified of Mr. Obdyke's sudden death and he went to the scene Friday. After viewing the body and learning the facts he gave a certificate of death.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, August 2, 1900, p. 1. Submitted by Nancy.]

Oberholtzer, Isaiah

Oberholtzer, Sylvester

O'Brien, Daniel

O'Brien, Daniel

Interred at Ambler. Body of Constable O'Brien Buried in St. Anthony's Cemetery. Detectives Continue Search for Guilty Parties in the Hillside Shooting Case--Suspects Arrested, and One Almost Slays Fellow Prisoner in Jenkintown Jail.

Daniel O'Brien, the Montgomery county constable who was murdered early Monday morning, Aug. 8, at his home, Hillside station, Abington township, was buried Thursday in St. Anthony's cemetery, at Ambler. His aged father, who was shot by the assassins at the same time, is improving at the Jewish hospital.

Followed by hundreds of friends and neighbors of the stricken family, the remains of Daniel O'Brien were removed from the vine covered cottage at Hillside Thursday morning to Jenkintown where the funeral services were held. Open threats were heard against the Italian suspects in the lockup adjoining the Immaculate Conception church, but the crow remained orderly. Daniel O'Brien's aged mother followed her son's remains to the church and afterwards to the grave.

The Rev. M.A. Walsh was the celebrant of the mass of requiem, with J.A. Strahan and J.A. McHugh, as deacon and sub-deacon respectively.

The organist was James A. Gross. Miss Annie Fagan and Miss Strahan participated in singing the mass. Every pew in the church was occupied. The pall-bearers were Charles Dugan, Bernard Nealis, William Kennedy and Patrick McKee. The casket was covered with lavender cloth and had a silver crucifix on the top.

About 20 vehicles were in the funeral procession.

Suspects Arrested.

Thursday afternoon William Beach, Reading Railway detective, sent to Fort Washington for Frank Weiser, who was held up and robbed and shot about three weeks ago by a gang of Italians, the story of which has been told in the "Gazette." Weiser received a sum of money at Edge Hill and was followed by several Italians, who afterward robbed him and then shot him in the leg. Detective Beach thinks the men who robbed Weiser are the same ones who know interesting facts concerning the Hillside shooting. The Italians vigorously protested innocence. The prisoners are Giuseppe, Pepino, Luigi Borgia, Pietro Mailero Michael Fidelia and Giuseppe Tamberino.

A.L. Millard, a private detective, and O'Connor, a detective of Montgomery county, made the arrests. The accused will be given a hearing before Justice Walker Thursday afternoon at Jenkintown. While locked in the cell in the borough hall at Jenkintown, during the night, Giuseppe Tamberino, who is also known as "Big Joe," and is supposed to be the leader of the gang, attacked one of his fellow prisoners and attempted to strangle him. The men were separated and "Big Joe" was removed to Norristown jail to avoid further trouble.

Strong Evidence.

The strongest evidence of a circumstantial character was obtained by Detective O'Connor, in connection with the arrests of "Big Joe." In the latter's home was found a gunny sack similar to the one left behind by the slayers of Daniel O'Brien, a double-barrel shotgun, a wagon load of tools and a score of chickens concealed in the basement. When the bag found in the Italian's home was turned inside out chicken feathers that adhered to the lint were found. The muzzle of the shot gun fitted the mark left in the fence back of the O'Brien yard, supposed to have been made by the murderer in his haste to escape. Shells that were used in this gun were loaded with shot of the same size that ended the life of O'Brien and seriously wounded his aged father.

Some of the chickens in the basement of the Fitzwatertown house were identified by Edward Towell, of Hillside, whose hen house was robbed the night before the murder. In the yard were nearly 100 chickens. The tools included cross-cut saws, bevels, pick axes and shovels.

The flight of Big Joe's wife from the house while Detectives O'Conner and Paulfrey were searching the premises is regarded as a suspicious circumstance. She was accompanied by another woman, but before she could reach her husband the pursuers placed him under arrest.

Officials Active.

Detective A.H. Millard, of Philadelphia, has been employed by the Citizens' Protective association, of Jenkintown, Abington and Cheltenham. Detective O'Connor, of this county, has been on the case since the murder. Each detective accuses the other of working at cross-purposes. While O'Connor declares his evidence is stronger, Millard has made the greater number of arrests.

A theory was advanced Friday is that a negro is implicated in the crime. This is the result of information given out by the murdered man's aged mother, who had then so far recovered from the shock caused by her son's death that she is lending the authorities all the assistance possible in their search fro the murder "I am positive that at least one of the men concerned in the shooting was a negro," she said.

I heard the exchange shots and then I heard a man exclaim: 'Don't shoot any more; I'm hit,' I am sure that the voice was that of a negro." While Millard was working on this phase of the case County Detective O'Connor, was riding about the locality of the murder in a buggy. In the rear of which was a trunk filled with laundry, comprising the week's was at the home of Giuseppe Tamberino in Fitzwatertown. The garments will probably be examined to ascertain whether any of them are riddled with shot or blood-stained. O'Connor left the clothes at the office of the Hillside Cemetery company, together with another lot of carpenter's tools, supposed to have been stolen by Italians. The latter have been identified as the property of Chester Albright. Refusing the offer of a number of her neighbors to provide a home for her, Mrs. O'Brien is living alone at the house where the murder occurred. Her husband is still at the Jewish hospital, Philadelphia. He is expected to recover.

Suspects Discharged.

After a 10-hour search through the wooded country near Hillside on Saturday for a negro, Detective Millard returned to Jenkintown and asked for the release of two of the five Italians, Guiseppe Pepino and Michael Finelli, the others being retained for a further hearing, which will be held this Wednesday at 2 o'clock. District Attorney Hendrick's attended Saturday's hearing and afterwards held a conference with Detective Millard. It is believed that the result will be that County Detective O'Connor will join hands with Millard in attempting to solve the mystery. After his search for the negro suspect Millard was of the opinion that members of the Italian colony at Fitzwatertown were supplying the man and his fellow-tramp, who is an Italian, with food and were assisting them to elude the authorities. Millard found the place in the woods where the men camped on Friday night and followed their trail all morning, but was unable to overtake them.

Coroner Visits Father.

Coroner Kane on Sunday visited the Jewish hospital, Philadelphia, where the aged father, John O'Brien, is slowly recovering from the wounds inflicted in the midnight battle.

The coroner learned from the hospital officials that, barring unexpected complications, the father would be able to leave the hospital in two weeks. He also had a short talk with the father. The subject of the crime was only lightly touched upon, as the physicians at the hospital demand almost absolute rest and quiet as an essential to recovery. The father said, among other things, that there were two, and possibly three, in the party who attacked them when they disturbed the raiders on the chicken house.

The inquest will, in all likelihood, be held early in the week beginning Aug. 29. By that time the father and mother of Daniel O'Brien, it is expected will be able to attend and give a comprehensive account of what really happened on the night of the murder.

A couple of hundred persons gathered at Hillside Monday to identify the goods which detectives had removed from the house of Tamborino, the O'Brien murder suspect, of Fitzwatertown. Contractors for miles around were present and identified tools which had been stolen from them at various times. What goods were identified were given to the owners.

Some time before Tamborino's wife was arrested Saturday morning a well dressed man called to see her and told her if she would give him $20 he would set her husband free. She gave the stranger the money, she said.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, August 18, 1904, p. 1. Submitted by Nancy.]

O'Brien, John N.

O'Bryne, Edward J.

Edward J. O'Bryne, aged 35 years, a station agent at Conshohocken, died suddenly at his residence in that borough Thursday afternoon. Deceased's father died quite suddenly several months ago.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, December 18, 1902, p. 1. Submitted by Nancy.]

Ochs, John

O'Connor, Margaret

Flourtown. On Tuesday morning the funeral of Margaret O'Connor took place at the residence of her brother-in-law, Mr. James Hart, Wheel Pump.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, January 31, 1901, p. 4. Submitted by Nancy.]

Ogden, Harry T.

First Death in Family in 50 Years.

The death as told in last week's "Gazette" of Harry T. Ogden, Jr., at Cincinnati, formerly manager of the Plymouth Magnesia works, and a member of Norristown lodge, No. 714, B.P.O. Elks is remarkable in several ways. A Cincinnati paper has the following concerning the sad event:

"Death has entered the Ogden family for the first time in more than 50 years, passing by the grandfather, 81, a veteran of the Mexican war, and the father, employed at the same position for 27 years, and taking the son and grandson, Harry T. Odgen [sic], 31.

"Until recently young Ogden was business manager of the American Magnesia & Covering company, of Plymouth Meeting, near Philadelphia. Harry T. Ogden was for some time bookkeeper of the Philip Carey manufacturing company and two years ago secured the position at Plymouth Meeting. At Philadelphia he underwent an operation for tubercular abscess and had not been well since. He died early Thursday at the home of his father, Harry M. Ogden, 540 Laurel street, after three weeks' illness.

"The funeral took place Saturday with ceremonies by the Elks and Knights Templar, of which he was a member. The body was incinerated at 3 p.m.

"Henry T. Ogden, the grandfather, for whom Harry T. Ogden was named, has been commander of the Mexican war veterans, is a veteran of the Civil war and was for 40 years superintendent of the mechanical department of the Robert Clarke company, publishers, retiring after the Pike fire which destroyed the plant."

[Source: Ambler Gazette, December 8, 1904, p. 1. Submitted by Nancy.]

Ogle, Thomas

Thomas Ogle, Sr., of 1444 Hicks street, Philadelphia, father of Rev. Thomas Ogle, Jr., pastor of the Mount Pleasant Baptist church, died on Monday, in his 65th year. The remains will be buried in Laurel Hill cemetery this Thursday afternoon and the funeral will take place from his late residence at 1 o'clock. In occupation Mr. Ogle was a hatter and conducted his business in the lower part of the city.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, February 11, 1897, p. 5. Submitted by Nancy.]

Oldfield, Henry

Henry Oldfield a well known resident of Frankford, died Thursday at his home, at 4948 Willow street, Philadelphia, of paralysis, at the age of 73 years. He was a native of Edge Hill and at an early age learned the wheelwright trade. On reaching his majority he purchased his employer's business. In 1850 he removed to Frankford and became a member of the firm of Oldfield & Goff, which built many of the omnibuses that made regular trips between Frankford and the central section of the city. The firm also built the first ladder truck used by the Volunteer Firemen's association, of Frankford.

When the war broke out Mr. Oldfield enlisted as a sergeant in Company D, 179th Regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and served until the close of hostilities. He is survived by a widow and two children.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, March 6, 1902, p. 4. Submitted by Nancy.]

Oleckfak, Martha

O'Neill, Martha

Deputy Coroner Delaney was at Ogontz Sunday and investigated the sudden death of Martha, the five-year-old daughter of Dennis O'Neill. The child was taken ill at 11 o'clock Saturday and died two hours later. It was learned that the child died from natural causes.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, July 17, 1902, p. 4. Submitted by Nancy.]

Osmond, Esther C.

Prospectville. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Walton attended the funeral of their aunt, Esther C. Osmond, Byberry, on Monday.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, January 5, 1899, p. 8. Submitted by Nancy.]

Osterly, John

Jarrettown. The funeral of John Osterly was held on Monday afternoon of this week. Interment was made at Rose Hill. The deceased was about 81 years of age and had resided here for many years. For more than 40 years he had worked at his trade of wheelwright in the wagon works at this place.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, August 22, 1901, p. 1. Submitted by Nancy.]

Ostheimer, Alfred James

Alfred James Ostheimer, consul in Philadelphia for Austro-Hungary and Japan, died at his home in Jenkintown on Wednesday night, after an illness of nearly two years. He was 58 years of age. He was a member of the firm of Ostheimer Bros., exporters and importers, 900 Chestnut and 1022 Market street, Philadelphia, and had been engaged in business for 35 years. Mr. Ostheimer was educated in this country and in Europe. In 1894 he was appointed consul for Austria and in 1897 for Japan. He was a member of the Union League club, of the Art club and of the Hunting Valley Country club. He was a Master Mason and a prominent member of the Unitarian church. He is survived by a widow, six children and two brothers, William J., and George. The former was the business partner of Alfred in this country, and the latter resides in Paris, France. One of his sons, William J., Jr., is a physician and resides on Locust street, Philadelphia. Mr. Ostheimer's funeral was attended from his late residence, Wyncote road and Washington Lane, Saturday afternoon.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, October 29, 1903, p. 1. Submitted by Nancy.]

Ott, Catharine

Ott, Child of George

The funeral of George Ott's child, of South Amber, was held Sunday. Interment at Blue Bell.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, September 2, 1897, p. 5. Submitted by Nancy.]

Ott, Harry

Broad Axe. The funeral of Harry W. Ott last Wednesday was largely attended by our people. Deceased was a former resident here and worked for George W. Hellings for a considerable period.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, May 9, 1901, p. 4. Submitted by Nancy.]

Ottinger, Alexander

Alexander Ottinger, one of the very old residents of this place, died in Norristown, 701 Swede street, and was buried Monday afternoon in Ivy Hill cemetery, Philadelphia. His father owned the present Megargee farm, in Springfield township and the deceased lived there for many years. He married one of the Streepers from beyond the Ridge, and she survives. About 15 years ago he left this vicinity and moved to the county seat. He was in his 83d year.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, May 30, 1901, p. 8. Submitted by Nancy.]

Owens, Child and Mrs. Radcliffe

Two funerals took place at Cold Point Sunday afternoon, one an aged person. Mrs. Radcliffe, of Conshohocken, and the other a child of Mr. and Mrs. Owens, of Norristown. Mrs. Owens was formerly Miss Rodebaugh, of Hickorytown, daughter of John Rodebaugh.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, June 22, 1899, p. 8. Submitted by Nancy.]