Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-James R. Orr
Portrait and Biographical
Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
JAMES P. ORR carries on farming on section
2, Banner Township, Dickinson County.
He was born near Independence, Preston
County, W. Va., on the 23d of April, 1842,
and is a son of George Orr, who was born near
Kingwood, in Preston County. His mother bore
the maiden name of Sarah Fortner, and her birth
also occurred in the vicinity of Kingwood.
Reared to manhood and womanhood in the county
of their nativity, after their marriage they settled
near Independence, Preston County, where they
resided until called to the home beyond. The
death of the father occurred in the fall of 1880.
The mother survived him ten years, and passed
away in May, 1891. Their family numbered
eleven children, five sons and six daughters, of
whom our subject is the sixth in order of birth.
In the usual manner of farmer lads, James Orr
spent the days of his boyhood and youth, no
event of special importance occurring to vary the
usual routine of such a life until the breaking out
of the late war. He watched with interest the
progress of events, and prompted by patriotic impulses,
on the 27th of September, 1861, enlisted in
Company I, Sixth West Virginia Infantry, and
served three years. At the battle of Green
Springs he was taken prisoner, but soon afterward
succeeded in making his escape. After three years
of faithful service, he received his discharge, but
left the array with impaired health. He at once
returned to his home in Preston County, W. Va.,
where he continued to reside until 1868, when he
went to Whiteside County, III. After a short time
spent in that county, he became a resident of Bureau
County, III., where he spent about two years,
and then returned to Whiteside County. In the
autumn of 1871, he came to Dickinson County,
Kan., and secured a homestead of one hundred
and sixty acres on section 2, Banner Township.
Immediately thereafter he began the development
of his farm, and his untiring labors have made it
one of the best in the locality. Its boundaries have
been extended until it now comprises three hundred
and sixty acres, and the farm is under a
high state of cultivation and well improved. A
good set of farm buildings have been erected, and
the place is complete in all its appointments.
A marriage ceremony performed in Gladesville,
Preston County, W. Va., March 15, 1867, united
the destinies of Mr. Orr and Miss Mary E. Springer,
daughter of Levi and Sarah (Mason) Springer.
Her father, who was a native of Fayette
County, Pa., is now deceased. Her mother was
born in Greene County, Pa., and is still living.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Springer resided
for eighteen years in Fayette County, and
they removed to West Virginia, locating in Preston
County. In 1867 they became residents of Whiteside
County, Ill., where the four succeeding years
of their life were passed. In 1871 they came to
Dickinson County, locating near Abilene, and afterward
removed to Jefferson Township, where
Mr. Springer departed this life on the 29th of
May, 1882. In the family were eight children,
four sons and four daughters.
Mrs. Orr, the sixth in order of birth, was born
in Preston County. W. Va., April 7, 1852. By her
marriage she has become the mother of three children:
George E.; Sadie M., wife of John F. Cole;
and Otis L. Mrs. Orr is a member of the Methodist
Church. In his political affiliations, Mr. Orr
is a Republican, and takes a commendable interest
in the success of his party. He has held the office
of Justice of the Peace. A public-spirited and
progressive citizen, he has the best interests of the
community at heart, and does all in his power for
the promotion of the general welfare. His career
has been a prosperous one, and a well-deserved
success is now his.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP