Husband William Orr 1 2
Born: 20 Apr 1802 - Culbertson's Row, Franklin Co, PA 1 3
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Died: 31 Jan 1880 or 1881 3 4
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Father: Capt. Thomas Orr (1770-1814/1815) 1 2
Mother: Martha Breckinridge (1779-1852) 1 5
Marriage: 9 May 1839 6
• Biographical Sketch: from History of Franklin County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner, Beers & Co., 1887).
To read this brief biographical sketch of his life and career, click here.
Wife Mary A. Gish 6 7
Born: 27 Aug 1818 6
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Father: David Gish ( - ) 6 7
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Children
1 M John G. Orr 4 6
Born: 1839 - Willow Grove Mills, Southampton Twp, Franklin Co, PA 4 6
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Died: Aft 1905
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Spouse: Martha M. Hayes ( - ) 8
Marr: 12 Dec 1871 8
2 F Martha E. Orr 6
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3 F Narcissa Orr 6
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4 M James P. Orr 6
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Spouse: Margaret Reilly ( - ) 6
5 M William B. Orr 6
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Spouse: Florence Owen ( - ) 6
6 M Robert A. Orr 6
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7 M David A. Orr 4 6
Born: - Orrstown, Franklin Co, PA
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Spouse: Lillie Black ( - ) 6
8 F Laura Bell Orr 6
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9 M Thomas E. Orr 6
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10 F Mary Nettie Orr 6
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11 F Charles E. Orr 6
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12 M Thomas A. Orr 6
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General Notes: Husband - William Orr
He was sent to Virginia after his father's death to live with a grand-uncle, but remained there only two years, when he returned to the maternal home. He afterward attended a private school in "Culbertson's Row," but in 1820, he began an apprenticeship to the trade of a tanner in the tannery of James Finley, at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. After completing his apprenticeship, with his meagre effects in a bundle carried on his shoulder, he journeyed to New Market, Virginia, where he was promised work. His stay at New Market was short. Believing that Washington presented a more inviting field for a journeyman tanner, he walked from New Market to Fredericksburg, and then traveled by stage to the mouth of Cedar creek. Among his fellow passengers in the stage coach was Gen. Andrew Jackson. At the mouth of Cedar creek he saw a steamboat for the first time, on which he took passage for Washington. Disappointed with his expectations at the capital he started for home, which he finally reached after another long and wearisome journey. In 1830 the real business of his life began. In that year, in partnership with his brother John, he rented the tannery at Orrstown, the brothers forming the firm of J. & W. Orr. In 1831 the Orrs bought the tannery and the farm connected with it, which then embraced the ground upon which Orrstown was afterward built. The town was laid out in 1833, by John and William Orr. It was the wish of the founders that it should be called Southampton, but when their application for a post office was granted the name of Orrstown was given it by the Postmaster General, at the suggestion of Hon. George Chambers. When Orrstown became an incorporated borough, in 1847, Mr. Orr was chosen its first burgess. During the existence of this long partnership of forty years no dissensions ever arose between the brothers, who were always kind, generous and forbearing in their treatment of each other. Mr. Orr was a member of the F. & A. M., and one of the founders of the Orrstown Lodge. In politics he was a Democrat, and an active Democratic worker. He was a delegate to the county convention in 1833, but never aspired to public office, and only filled such township positions as assessor, judge of the election and school director. Physically he was tall and well formed, with an elastic step and graceful presence.
Orrstown, Pennsylvania, was laid out by John and William Orr in the year 1833, and grew with remarkable rapidity into one of the prettiest and busiest towns in Franklin County. This success of the new town was almost solely attributable to the liberality with which its projectors dealt with those who purchased lots and erected buildings. It was the wish of the founders that their village should be called "Southampton;" and, in their application for a post-office, that name was given to the locality. For some reason the postoffice department disapproved the name, and then Hon. George Chambers, then in Congress, suggested the name of "Orrstown," which was at once adopted by the Postmaster-general. Orrstown was incorporated as a borough in 1847, and William Orr was chosen its first burgess. About this date the "Orrstown Savings Fund" was established, of which William Orr was one of the founders. This institution continued in successful operation for a period of eleven years. Later he was largely instrumental in organizing a Masonic lodge in the town, known as "Orrstown Lodge," which was the second of its kind organized in the county, and of which institution he was long a trusted officer. He was also one of the originators of the project for the erection of the "Town Hall," which was built in 1869, and of which he was one of the largest stockholders.