Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
JAMES L. ORMSBEE, M. D. There are but few professions or trades that "go well together," that is, there are few men who are capable of following successfully more than one specific line of endeavor, but here and there we find a man like Dr. James L. Ormsbee of Springfield who has the innate ability and has had the proper training to make him successful in two or more lines of endeavor. He is a physician and pharmacist, and it is doubtful if two distinct professions could be found to blend more perfectly than these. He has built up a good business in both during his residence in this city of twenty-six years, and he has become one of the well-known professional men of Greene county.
Doctor Ormsbee was born at Corry, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1867. He is a son of E. J. Ormsbee, a carpenter and farmer, born in Paris, Oneida county, New York, in 1825, and who died in 1905 at the age of eighty years. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Amelia Mapes; she was born in 1836 in Belmont, New York, and died in 1913, at the age of seventy-seven years. These parents grew to maturity in the state of New York, attended the old-time schools and were married there, and spent their lives in that state and Pennsylvania. James Ormsbee, paternal grandfather of our subject was born in Providence, Rhode Island, June 21, 1792, and died at Paris, New York, in 1853; his wife, Philena Dimmick, was born at Mansfield, Connecticut, January 16, 1798, and died at Paris, New York, December 1, 1825. James Ormsbee, Sr., our subject's great-grandfather, was born in 1765, and he married Abigail Ide. His father was Daniel Ormsbee, born in 1723, married Keziah Cummings. His father was Thomas Ormsbee, who was born in Massachusetts, November 11, 1645, and he married Mary Fitch, a daughter of John Fitch. His father was Richard Ormsbee, born in England, from which country he came to Saco, Maine, landing there in the year 1641. From that place he went to Salisbury, Massachusetts in 1645, bought land in that vicinity and died there in 1664. Thus the record shows that this is one of our oldest American families.
Dr. James L. Ormsbee received his early education in the public schools, later graduating from the Cayuga Lake Military Academy at Aurora, New York, then took the course in the medical department of the Washington University of St. Louis, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1891 receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Upon leaving the city of St. Louis he came to Springfield in 1892 and at once began the practice of his profession which he has continued here from that date to the present time, having long since taken his place among the successful general physicians of this locality. He found time to make a thorough study of pharmacy and was given a license in that field and he has long maintained a neat, well stocked and popular drug store at 1862 North National Boulevard, and has built up a good trade in drugs and drug sundries. He has enjoyed a large patronage ever since he established himself in this city.
Doctor Ormsbee was married on October 25, 1914, in Springfield, to Alice M. McLean, a daughter of T. B. McLean and wife. She received her education in this city.
Politically, Doctor Ormsbee is a Republican. Religiously, he belongs to the Episcopal church. He is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He was secretary of the first named of the three for a period of three years. He is also a member of the Greene County Retail Druggists' Association, of which he was secretary for some time. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was county coroner in 1897, and upon the death of the sheriff was appointed to this office, serving very ably until another sheriff could be appointed. He was also health officer during Mayor Bartlett's administration.
Doctor Ormsbee is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished, which has been in the face of obstacles and entirely through his own efforts.
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