Orbison, Thomas

Orbison, Thomas a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in Waringstown, county Down, Ireland, March 13, 1813. His parents were members of the Established Church. When thirteen years of age he was converted, and united with the Wesleyans. At seventeen he was licensed as an exhorter, and was ordained in Dublin June 22, 1844. In 1849 he removed to America. After his arrival here he united and labored in connection with the Wesleyan Church for a year and a half. A vacancy taking place about that time on the Wauwatosa Circuit of the Wisconsin Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he was employed as supply, and at the close of the year joined that conference. His appointments were as follows: Wauwatosa, Kingston, Berlin, Plover, Brothertown, Utter's Corners, Footville, Sun Prairie, Weyauwega, Waupaca, and Stevens' Point. In 1863 he located, and lived in Appleton one year. In 1865 he preached on the Hartford charge, and at the next session of conference was readmitted, and stationed at New Berlin and Oneida Indian Mission. But failing health again obliged his retirement from active duties, and he returned to Appleton. He died in 1873. As a preacher, he was above mediocrity, as a man, he was esteemed for the purity of his character and his good common sense. See Minutes of Conferences, 1874, p. 140.