THOMAS CLIFTON OLTORF

     Thomas Clifton Oltorf, b October 9, 1855, d April 9, 1897 and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin - was a son of Judge James Daniel and Mary Irene (Hutchings) Oltorf who settled in Marlin, Falls County, Texas in 1855.

     Thomas Clifton Oltorf married Sarah Calvert, b March 16, 1858, d October 22, 1939 - a daughter of John and Martha (Vallandingham) Calvert. John Calvert died at the Battle of Chickamauga in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War; and his widow, Martha (Vallandingham) Calvert, b March 7, 1826, d June 16, 1908 and was buried in Calvary Cemetery. She came to Texas after her husband died, and spent the remainder of her life with her daughter's family.

     Thomas Clifton Oltorf became the owner and publisher of The Marlin Ball, and was prominent in all the affairs of his community. His editorials were often quoted throughout the state of Texas, and when he died at the age of forty-two years, a fellow newsman wrote: "He was a man whose integrity upon all questions was as pure as finest gold; a man whose wit was as keen as a Damascus blade; and with a criticism wherever there was fault that made those who committed it to quake and tremble."

     Thomas Clifton and Sarah (Calvert) Oltorf were the parents of five children:

     Aline Oltorf - married Dr. B. G. Ward, and had Thomas Clifton Ward.

     Annie Lou Oltorf - who married J. C. Holloway, and had two children: Tallulah Holloway, and Oltorf Holloway.

     Prentice Oltorf - never married, but was a lawyer in the firm, Oltorf and Oltorf, with his brother, Frank Oltorf, and was a former district judge when the law firm was established.

     James Daniel Oltorf (called "Dan"), b May 19, 1881, d November 22, 1951 and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin - married Mary Julia Kyser (called "May"), b May 15, 1882, d October 15, 1969 and buried in Calvary Cemetery - a daughter of William Daniel and Mary Katherine (Hawthorne) Kyser of Marlin.

     Frank Oltorf (called "Peck"), b March 11, 1885, d March 9, 1936 and buried in Calvary Cemetery - married Madeline Bartlett, b December 3, 1884, d September 30, 1964 - a daughter of Charles Henry and Mary ("Mollie" Dickson) Bartlett.

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 335 column 2.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.