Person:John Orr (1)

Biography

JOHN ORR11 History of Caldwell and Livingston Counties, Missouri (1886) p. 333 (Post-office, Kingston) In a very early day in the history of this country members of the family from whom Mr. Orr is descended left England and took up their location upon this side of the Atlantic. Any one at the present day who is acquainted with the history of Pennsylvania is familiar in a measure with the Orr family, for they have inhabited a section of that country from the time of its earliest settlement. Mr. John Orr was the second child in a family of seven children. He was of Irish origin on his mother's side, though his father was a native of Armstrong County, Pa. They resided in this latter State until 1825 when they removed to Holmes County, O., there rearing their children. Young John, born in Armstrong County, September 15, 1812, was 12 years of age when his parents went to Ohio. He was not favored with many opportunities for attending school and consequently his educational advantages were quite limited, the greater part of his time being occupied in farming and handling stock. In this latter industry he was very extensively interested before coming to Caldwell County, Mo., a movement which occurred in 1865. At that time he located where he still resides, his home place containing 220 acres of land well adapted for stock raising purposes as well as for general farming. An abundant supply of water for stock is an important feature of the place. Mr. Orr also owns 440 acres in other parts of the county. September 1, 1836, Miss Sarah Haley, of Ohio, became his wife, but she died in 1854 leaving a family of seven children: Rebecca, widow of Isaac Walters, of Kingston township; Joseph, Elizabeth, died in 1878; Elennett, died in 1884; Benjamin, James Haley and John S. (now dead). His second marriage was on October 6, 1857, to Miss Prudence Crisswell, daughter of Jehu Crisswell, who was a brave soldier in the War of 1812, and who survived to a good old age, enjoying the respect of all who knew him. By the last marriage there are five children, William, Mary A., wife of George Houghton; Sarah, now Mrs. Robert Morris; Ida T. and Charles C. Doubtless no man in this county is more universally respected than Mr. Orr. To know him is to have a high admiration for him, for he is possessed of those sterling characteristics which make a true man. Genial and hospitable in his intercourse with those around him, he has a host of warm friends.

Obituary

Newspaper Unknown January 29, 1892

                                          DEATH OF JOHN ORR
        An Old and Respected Citizen Departed This Life Last Friday Morning During the past week this community has mourned the loss of one of its best and most respected citizens in the person of John Orr, whose death occurred last Friday morning, and in the death of Mr. Orr a veil of sorrow and sadness has be en cast over this community that time alone will erase. Four weeks ago he was taken ill, but was not thought to be in any danger. He was placed under the doctor's care and all the attention that relatives and kind friends could bestow was given him. After two weeks had passed he began to realize that the end was near at hand, and made preparations for the inevitable. A few days before his departure hence, he told his dear companion and children that he would leave them soon, but that he was fully prepared to pass over the river, that he was at peace with all mankind, and ready to meet his Redeemer and all the loved ones gone before. When the summons came early last Friday morning to call his spirit home he was ready to answer, "My labors are o'er, I'm ready to go." The funeral services were held at the M.E. church, Sunday morning at 11 o'clock a.m. and no more impressive services were ever held in the church. The building was packed and many were unable to gain admittance. The funeral

discourse was preached by Rev. W.F. Clayton, of Cameron, who took for the subject of his sermon "Set thine house in order; for thou shall die, and not live." This sermon was one of Mr. Clayton's best efforts and touched the hearts of every one present. At the close of the sermon many hundred of the old friends and neighbors of the deceased took a last look at his remains. The final parting of wife, children and grand-children was pathetic. The remains were taken to the cemetery, followed by the largest cortege ever seen in this city, where they were laid to rest, to await the final resurrection. John Orr was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, Sept. 12, 1812. At the age of twelve years, with his parents he went to Holmes county, Ohio, here he lived 41 years near Millersburg, his time being spent in farming and handling stock. He was an excellent judge of a good horse and bought largely for the government during the war. He was married to Miss Sarah Haley in 1836, who died in 1854, leaving a family of seven children. His second marriage occurred Oct. 6, 1857, to Miss Prudence Crisswell, who survives him. There are five children, all living of the second marriage. In the spring of 1865, Mr. Orr decided to move west. He made a tour of several of the western states, finally coming to Missouri, and to Caldwell county. He was so well pleased with the county that he at once purchased the James Penney farm, four miles west of Kingston, and in the fall moved his family and took possession. Here he spent many happy and prosperous years. As old age came creeping on he realized that he must lay off the care of a farmer's life. In 1887 he purchased the old Wm. Spivey homestead one-half mile west of town, and moved there in the fall, and spent the remainder of his days on earth at this place. Soon after he came to Kingston he was gloriously converted to Christ, and with his faithful companion united with the M.E. church at this place. He at once took a deep interest in church affairs, always contributing liberally to benevolence and support of the ministry.

       In the death of Uncle John Orr, not only this community but Caldwell county has lost one of its best citizens. He was loved and respected by all. From the time he came to this county he took an active interest in every enterprise for the building up and development of the county. Always ready with his council and means to assist in every good work. He was the most liberal contributor to the building of the new railroad to this city. A noble wife, 9 children, 24 grandchildren and 6 great-grand-children, mourn his departure to that happy home above. This community realizes that it has been separated from a kind husband and the children from a loving and affectionate father.

Biography

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This Collection of 150 interviews is the gift of Major Molly Chapter D.A.R. of Hamilton, Missouri to the Missouri State D.A.R. The Chapter is also making a duplicate gift of these interviews to the Historical department of the Hamilton Library, which it is hoped, will be a growing collection with new interviews to be added as found. In a few cases, there will be found to be two interviews from the same narrator under different divisions. In this way, subject matter has been more easily codified. The total number of persons interviewed has been 145, the total number interviews 150.To this work, the interviewer has devoted months. Often a whole afternoon has been given to getting an important interview; for the minds of the old cannot be hurried else mental confusion will result. In a few cases, important data necessarily had to be given by the second generation. Most of the collection is given to interviews concerning early Caldwell County history; a few concern the early history of our citizens who pioneered in other Missouri counties or other states. A group of three interviews came from pioneers in Miller County, Missouri, where the interviewer taught in the Ozarks. It has been a continuous aim to reproduce the spirit and the words of narrators and to get true facts as far as it lay in our power. Should errors have crept in despite our care in inquiry, we shall welcome any correction. We wish to acknowledge the assistance given to this project by the old timers themselves who thus have aided in preserving unwritten history, by fellow D.A.R. members who have suggested "prospects" or submitted data, and to the interested outside friends who have helped by suggestions, and by typewriting our manuscripts. Submitted by (Miss) Bertha Ellis Booth Major Molly Chapter D.A.R. Hamilton, Missouri THE JOHN ORR FAMILY IN MIRABILE TOWNSHIP. Narrator: Mrs. Sallie Morris (70) of Hamilton, Missouri. Prairie Fires. Trading in Town. Stock and Fences. Banks and Money. Pleasant Valley School. Mrs. Morris was born in Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio in 1864. Her father, John Orr, was twelve when his people moved to Ohio. He did not serve during the Civil War but brought horses for the Government. He was married to Sarah Haley first and Prudence Criswell the second time and had twelve children. This large family containing several sons probably led him to come west at the close of the war where he could get plenty of land cheap. First, he came prospecting and then he went back after his family. He bought two hundred and twenty acres with a large house from John Dodge for twenty five dollars ($25) an acre. It lay half way between Mirabile and Kingston. This land before Dodge held it had belonged to one of the Penney family, a slave holder, but when slaves were freed he had to sell his incompleted house to come out even. Orr's father came out soon too, but the grandmother Orr stayed in Ohio four years longer and came out with the Elliotts of Millersburg Ohio who located at Mirabile. The new settlers would stay at the Orr home till they got a home. The Orr home was big with many big rooms. It took thirty yards of rag carpet to cover a floor. When they first came out, prairie fires were common, set on fire often to burn the grass roots. In despair over homesickness for Ohio, one of the Orr boys said, "He wished the prairie fires would burn up the whole State of Missouri." Wild turkeys were seen in the Orr district even as late as the eighties, but she recalled no other wild animals except the snakes. The Orr family traded at stores in Kingston and Mirabile. George Treat was their Mirabile merchant. The trip took a half day. Once or twice a year, they took a whole days trading trip to Hamilton or Cameron in the lumber wagon. They took the family lunch and often the family dog too who guarded the wagon while they did their trading. There were laid out roads to Hamilton and Cameron running past the Orr house, but the people often made their own paths through the unfenced prairies, whether on foot, horse or wagon. There was much fording of streams, because there were few bridges. Mrs. Morris has seen most of the bridges that now stand in the Kingston, MIrabile and Hamilton region erected in her own life time. The stock, being branded, had free range in the sixties and seventies. When the stock law was passed requiring the owner to care for his own stock, it required the farmer to build fences - much to the farmers objection. Many of these fences were horse and rider (stake and rider) made of tree branches, with a big waste of land resulting from the shape. In the days of the seventies Mr. Orr was a man of unusual means in his neighborhood. His was a pioneer home without home made furniture and privations. There was lots of land and considerable money. He did not use a Bank until 1879 when the Hamilton Savings Bank elected George Lamson as Cashier. People did not use checks then and needed money handy. When he got money, he handed it to his wife to care for. She hid it where ever her fancy led. One day Sally (Mrs. Morris) was hunting in a scrap bag and found a roll of bills. Robbers would never look there. The Orrs lived in the Pleasant Valley School district near Mirabile. The district school was first held in a log building in the yard of Mrs. George Walters (great grandmother of Mrs. Louisa Kennedy). Then the present school building was built one half mile north of the Walters log cabin. This school was the first one attended by Mrs. Morris and Miss Rachel Houghton (sister-in-law of Mrs. Morris) was the first teacher in that school. Mrs. Morris' first teacher was Mrs. Clark Edgecomb and her second Mr. Clark Edgecomb. They had black slates with "spit" to erase them. The middle aisle had the stove. On each side was a row of single seats and a row of double seats built into the walls. At seventeen she put on long dresses and put up her hair. The roach comb was the fashion then with teeth at both ends to push back the hair from the forehead. She went to lots of play parties where guessing games were used. Boys went courting about once in two weeks. Dances might be held in the big kitchens. Interviewed March 1934.