He was born in County Sligo, Ireland, immigrated to the Thirteen Colonies when a boy, and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ormsby was admitted to the bar in 1786 and commenced the practice of his profession in Danville, Kentucky.
Ormsby served in the early Indian wars, and as a brigadier general under Gen. Josiah Harmar in the campaign of 1790.
Ormsby was elected to the Thirteenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative-elect John Simpson.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress