Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/644

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

retarded by a destructive fire, but all dam- age was quickly repaired.

Mr. Wemple was a director of the Vir- ginia Hardware and Manufacturing Com- pany, director of the Citizens' Bank, recent- ly consolidated, director of the Danville Co- operative Warehouse Company, a success- ^ ful enterprise he assisted in organizing, and was director of the Danville Fair Associa- tion from its organization, until his death. He was also interested as a stockholder in the Riverside and Dan River Cotton Mills and had other investments of importance.

Fond of travel, Mr. Wemple toured Eu- rope and the United States extensively, as recreation, which with compulsory business trips gave him unlimited opportunity to see the wonders of many lands. He was a well-read, cultured gentleman, keen and forceful in business, courteous, genial, and companionable in his hours "off duty." He was a member of the Masonic order, belong- ing to lodge, chapter, commandery and shrine, and enjoyed the pleasures of club life at the Danville Country and Tuscarora clubs. He was a charter member of the Commercial Association and as a Democrat was often solicited to represent his party in various ways. He was a member of the Main Street Methodist Episcopal Church, for twenty years served on the official board, and for twenty-five years was in charge of the church choir, music being one of his greatest delights and passions.

Mr. Wemple married in Yanceyville, North Carolina, April 15, 1874, Elizabeth Frances Pinnix, born in Caswell county, North Carolina, daughter of Colonel James

C. Pinnix, and his wife, Betty F., both de- ceased. Children of Orlando and Elizabeth F. Wemple: John D., born March 26, 1875, now his father's assistant in business ; Mary W., married Fred W. Hagedorn, of New York City, whom she survives ; Blanche, residing at home ; Alice Dorothy, married

D. E. Guerrant, resides in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with sons, Orlando Wemple and Daniel E. ; Lily, married John T. Lyle, Jr., of Meridian, Mississippi, with son, Orlando Wemple Lyle; Orlando Ray, now engaged in tobacco manufacture at Rocky Mount, North Carolina ; Joseph C, died in infancy.

Mr. Wemple died in September, 1914, and the funeral services were held from the Main Street Methodist Episcopal Church,

conducted by the Rev. W. B. Beauchamp, D. D., pastor of the church. Interment was made in Green Hill Cemetery.

The following tributes show the apprecia- tion in which Mr. Wemple was held :

Whereas, Mr. O. Wemple, for a number of years actively identified with the Virginia Hardware & Manufacturing Company as one of its directors and its treasurer, has been called to answer the last summons.

Therefore, Be it resolved by the directors of the company at a meeting held on September 26, 1914:

First, That we contemplate with profound sor- row the removal from an active interest in our concern of one whose counsel we so highly valued and with whom we have maintained such pleasant relations.

Second, That we wish to express our sincere admiration of the character and business ability of our former associate. He was a successful man of affairs, a valuable citizen, and a consistent Christian, and we deplore the loss to our commimity of a man of such sterling worth.

Third, That we assure the bereaved family of our deep sympathy and trust that they may have in this great sorrow the consolation of Christian faith and hope.

Fourth, That a copy of these resolutions be pre- sented to the family of the deceased and that they be spread upon the minutes of the Virginia Hard- ware & Manufacturing Companv.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF VIRGINIA HDW. & MFG. CO., INC.

At a call meeting of the Danville Tobacco Association, held yesterday morning, the president, W. A. Willingham announced the death of Mr. O. Wemple, a member of the association. A committee of three members was appointed to draw up suitable resolu- tions expressive of the loss of this valued member. The committee wrote the follow- ing tribute :

Again the hand of death has invaded our ranks and removed from our midst one of our most use- ful and honored members, Mr. O. Wemple, whose death occurred at his home early Friday morning, September 25, after an illness of several months, and deserving to pay memory of our much beloved and esteemed associate who by his wise council and interesting efTort, proved a dominant factor in the development and expansion of the business interest of our city, particularly the tobacco inter- est, with which he was connected since his removal to Danville in early manhood.

Therefore, be it Resolved, First — That in the death of Mr. Orlando Wemple our city has lost one of her most useful and valued citizens and the tobacco association of the city of Danville one of its oldest and most influential members, whose death will be most keenly felt. Magnetic in person and wise in counsel, strong in character, were ele- ments which entered into his life and made for him a host of true and loyal friends.