The Orr Families of Jones County, Iowa

Samuel Orr, whose demise occurred December 27, 1875, was actively and successfully identified with agricultural interests in Clay township for a number of years. He was born in Ireland in 1831, his parents being Joseph and Agnes (Erskine) Orr, who spent their entire lives in that country. In the year 1853, when a young man of twenty-two, Samuel Orr crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up his above in Connecticut. In that state he wedded Miss Sarah Orr, a native of Ireland, who made the ocean voyage to this country in company with her sister. At the time of the Civil war Mr. Orr enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, participating in the battle of Gettysburg. The year 1867 witnessed his arrival in Clay township, Jones county, Iowa, and here he purchased land and followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away December 27, 1875, in the faith of the Presbyterian church, and his loss was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he was recognized as a most upright, honorable and respected citizen.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Orr were born nine children, six of whom yet survive. The mother is still living and resides on the old home farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Clay township, which is now being operated by a renter. She is a valued and devoted member of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which she takes an active and helpful interest. She is widely known in Jones county, where she has now lived for more than forty years, and throughout this entire period she has enjoyed the respect and esteem of those with whom she has come in contact, while her good deeds have closely endeared her to many.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Harbison Orr, a part of whose farm is included within the bounds of the village of Onslow, was born in Massachusetts, March 10, 1867. His parents, Samuel and Sarah Orr, were natives of Ireland and came to the United States in the early '50s. After a few years spent in the east they located in Jones county. Iowa, settling upon a farm in Clay township. There the father died in 1875, and there his widow is still residing, being in the seventy-sixth year of her age. Nine children were born to them, six of whom are now living.

Harbison Orr remained at home until he was twenty years old, having received a fair education in the common schools of his locality and practical experience in the tilling of the soil through working upon the farm. About 1887 he began working by the month for neighboring farmers, and then took a trip to California, where he lived for about ten months. Upon his return to Jones county, he worked as a farm hand for a time and then rented the old homestead, which he cultivated for several years, afterward, purchasing the place he now owns. It consists of one hundred and seventy-four acres, twenty of which lie within the village of Onslow. Here he has successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits and has also engaged in the stock business to some extent and has given some attention to dairying. He maintains his fields in a high state of cultivation, employing the most advanced methods, while his buildings are well constructed and in accordance with the modern ideas of sanitation and effectiveness for the purposes for which they are designated. This progressive spirit, united with the industry which has made possible the generous harvests which have yearly rewarded his efforts, has made him one of the more successful farmers of Wyoming township.

On the 22d of June, 1898, I\Mr. Orr wedded Miss Alary Dennison, a native of Jones county and a daughter of John and Mathilda (Campbell) Dennison, a sketch of whose lives appears elsewhere in this work. No children have been born of this union. Mr. and Mrs. Orr are consistent members of the Presbyterian church and actively interested in its work. Politically he affiliates with the democratic party, feeling convinced of the value of its principles, and in the capacities of assessor and school director has rendered the township invaluable service, for he is a man who accepts his responsibilities seriously and has ever promoted the best interests of his fellow citizens. Fraternally he is a member of Wyoming Lodge. Xo. 206. F. & A. M.. and the chapter of the Mystic Workers located in Onslow.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSEPH W. ORR.

Farming has claimed the attention of Joseph W. Orr from his early youth to the present time and he is now operating eighty acres which he purchased in 1895, in addition to carrying on the home farm of one hundred acres, all located in Scotch Grove township. Mr. Orr was born in Clay township, Jones county, April 15, 1864, a son of William and Jemima (Orr) Orr. both natives of the Emerald isle, whence they came to the new world after reaching mature years. Each located in Connecticut and in that state in 1855 '""ey were united in marriage. In April of that year, about two months subsequent to their marriage, they sought a home in the west, making a location in Jones county. Here the father worked as a farm hand for several years, while for four years he operated rented land. Both he and his wife were economical and industrious and their united efforts eventually brought them the capital that justified the purchase of a farm and Mr. Orr then bought eighty acres of land ready for cultivation and twenty acres of timber land. Locating on his newly acquired tract he continued to carry on farm work till the time of his death, which occurred on the 28th of January, 1888, when he had reached the age of fifty-five years. The mother still survives and yet makes her home on the farm left to her by her husband.

Joseph W. Orr was reared at home, acquiring his education in the common schools. He was associated with his father in the farm work until the latter's death, when the son assumed its management and has since carried on the work for his mother. In 1895, Mr. Orr purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the home place and he now has charge of the one hundred and eighty acres, this land lying in Scotch Grove township. He follows general farming and his excellent knowledge of the best methods of agriculture are bringing to him gratifying results.

Mr. Orr was married on the 24th of August, 1887, to Miss Ella J. Lee, of Clay township, a daughter of James F. Lee, who came when a boy with his parents to Jones county from Dubuque county, this state. Unto Mr. and Mrs.' Orr have been born seven children, but two of the number are deceased. Those who survive are: Vera J., who is a student in Lenox College at Hopkinton, Iowa; and William L., Ruth N., John Harold and Ralph J., all still under the parental roof.

Mr. Orr is a democrat in his political views and affiliations and keeps well informed on the current events of the day. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, while his fraternal relations connect him with Onslow Lodge, No. 398, I. O. O. F. and Onslow Camp, No. 2120, M. W. A. Mr. Orr is one of the substantial and influential men of Scotch Grove township, where his entire life has been spent and his record will therefore prove of interest to our readers.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.