BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 553-554.

CAPT. WILLIAM H. ORR, of Martin's Ferry, was born near Abingdon, Washington
Co., Va., 1815, the son of William and Mary Orr. HIs father came to this
land from Ireland, his native country, about 1770, with his parents, and
settled in Virginia, where he farmed until the outbreak of the
Revolutionary war, when he enlisted in the continental army and served
until independence was achieved. He died about 1820. Three children were
born to him, of whom William H. is probably the only survivor. Capt. Orr
was reared upon the farm of his parents, and at seventeen years of age
began an apprenticeship at carrrage making, which lasted six years, after
which he followed the trade as a journeyman for a considerable period,
also engaging in stock dealing, traveling over the greater part of the
south. He removed to Wheeling in 1848, but soon crossed to Martin's Ferry
and found employment in his trade with Wells Brothers, wagon builders.
Two years later he entered the employment of Hoyle & Griffith, man-
ufacturers of threshing machines, and when Mr. Hoyle established a
separate business, he went with him and held the position of foreman
over seventeen years. At the outbreak of the rebellion Capt. Orr, though
he had been reared in a slave state, promptly espoused the cause of the
Union, and was the first man at Martin's Ferry to open a recruiting
station for three-year enlistments. He signed the roll September 2,
1861, the first on the list, and soon had forty men for the First
Virginia regiment, who were organized in Company C, with him as first
lieutenant. At his first battle, at Winchester, under Gen. Shields, he
was severely wounded, his shin bone being split by a bullet. In the
spring of 1862, Capt. Millhouse was captured, and Lieut. Orr succeeded
to the command, and served as captain until his discharge in 1864, at
expiration of period of enlistment. The record made by Capt. Orr as a
patriot and soldier, is one highly deserving of commemoration. On his
return to Martin's Ferry, he resumed his position with Mr. Hoyle for one
year, and in 1866 he was appointed United States inspector and gauger of
spirits, a position he held for two years. Being elected mayor of Martin's
Ferry in 1868, he served two years, and at the expiration of that time
established a bakery, which he conducted until he was wrecked by the
great flood of 1884. Since then he has been engaged in the real estate
and insurance business. He also acts as health officer of the city,
managing trustee of the cemetery, as which he was elected in 1889, and
is secretary of the Ohio State Saving and Loan company. He has lived a
life characterized by industry, patriotic devotion and public spirit,
and is highly esteemed by all. The religious and other organizations
with which he is affiliated, are the Methodist Episcopal church, the
G. A. R. and D. of R., and the republican party. He was married in
1852 to Jane A. Waters, and they have had three children: Alice W.,
Eva J., and Marian, now deceased.