Camden People - Orphia M. Whittaker

ORPHA M. WHITTAKER was born around 1874 in New Jersey. She married in her early 20s, and lived in Philadelphia during the 1910s, before later returning to Camden. She was active in the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, the women's auxiliary to the Civil War veterans organization. In 1915, while living in Philadelphia, she served as the group's National Registrar. and in October of 1936 she was elected National Senior Vice-President of the organization. She also served as state President. She was also quite active in Crescent Chapter No. 55 of the Eastern Star masonic organization.

. By 1930 Orpha Whittaker's husband had died, and she was living at 125 North Dudley Street with her sister Arada and brother-in-law T. Alton Doughty, an electrician at a radio factory. In October of 1936 she was elected National Senior Vice-President of the organization of the Ladies of the G.A.R. She had also previously served as the state president.

The sisters had moved from Camden by 1947. Arada Doughty passed away in 1956. Orphia M. Whittaker passed away in Los Angeles CA on February 25, 1964.

Camden Courier-Post - February 28, 1936

William B. Hatch Circle No.2, Ladles of the Grand Army of the Republic, will present an American flag to the Boy Scouts of West Collingswood troop tonight. Scouts will be one year old. Presentation will be made by Orpha Whitaker, national officer.