General Robert Orr
Robert Orr was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania (probably in
Hannahstown), upon March 5, 1786. His father, (a sketch of Robert Orr, Sr.,
appears in the chapter devoted to Sugar Creek township) whose name descended
to the subject of our sketch, had been one of the defenders of the
Pennsylvania frontier; had enjoyed some official distinction in Westmoreland
county, and was one of the earliest pioneers of Armstrong county west of the
Allegheny. His mother�s maiden name was Fannie Culbertson. Coming with his
parents to what was then almost the verge of the inhabited portion of the
country while still a minor, Robert Orr entered upon his manhood as a pioneer,
and had considerable experience in that rugged condition of life for which the
strong alone were fitted. His boyhood had been passed in a region which
afforded educational and other opportunities scarcely in advance of those he
found in sparsely settled Armstrong county. His instruction had been very
meager, his schoolmasters few and, doubtless, of limited talent; but as boy he
had been (and as a man ever continued to be) an apt pupil in that great and
thorough school wherein the teachers are observation and experience. To this
fact, in conjunction with strong native ability, strict honesty and more than
average energy of character, may be attributed both his usefulness and his
success in life. The young man resided with his parents in Sugar Creek
township for a few years, and in 1805, when the county was organized for
judicial purposes, came to Kittanning to serve as deputy for his brother John,
who was the first sheriff of the county. Subsequently he studied and followed
surveying, and in still after years was appointed deputy district surveyor.Gen. Orr inherited from his father the strongest spirit of patriotism and a
fondness for military pursuits. When the war of 1812 broke out he was very
naturally found among the defenders of our country, and rendered valuable
services. History states that the second brigade of the army rendezvoused at
Pittsburgh on October 2, 1812�where the subject of this sketch was elected
mayor,–and left that place the same fall under command of Gen. Crooks to join
the northwestern army under Gen. Harrison, on the Miami river, where Fort
Meigs was afterwards built. At Upper Sandusky they were joined by a brigade of
militia from Virginia. From that place Maj. Orr, by the direction of the
general, took charge of the artillery, munitions, stores, etc., and set off
with about 300 men to headquarters of Gen. Harrison. While on the march he was
met by an express from Harrison, bringing information of the defeat of Gen.
Winchester on the River Raisin, and requesting him to bring on his force as
rapidly as possible. After consolidation with the balance of the army from
Upper Sandusky, they proceeded to the rapids of the Miami (Maumee), where they
remained until the six-months term of duty of the Pennsylvania and Virginia
militia had expired. Gen. Harrison then appealed for volunteers to remain
fifteen days longer, until he should receive reinforcements from Kentucky.
Maj. Orr and about 200 other Pennsylvanians did volunteer and remained until
they were discharged, after the battle at Fort Meigs, upon April 19, 1813.It was not long after Gen. Orr�s return from Fort Meigs that he received
his first honor in civil life. He was elected to the legislature in 1817. He
served two terms in that body and was then (1821) sent to the state senate to
represent the large, but comparatively thinly settled, district composed of
the counties of Armstrong, Warren, Indiana, Jefferson, Cambria and Venango,
the latter county including much of the territory now in Clarion. After
serving one term he was led to enter the contest for election to congress, and
doing so, defeated Gen. Abner Laycock. He thus became the representative in
the nineteenth and twentieth congresses of the district composed of Armstrong,
Butler, Beaver and Allegheny counties. In the legislature, in the state senate
and in the congress of the United States he served satisfactorily to his
people and with unwavering integrity of purpose. Calm, judicious and
experienced, his presence in the national counsels could not but exert a
beneficial influence in the direction and control of the affairs of the
country, which at that time witnessed the earlier symptoms of the disturbance
that eventually culminated in the tragic events of 1861.Later in life Gen. Orr was appointed by the governor associate judge of
Armstrong county and served very acceptably to the people. He retained his
interest in military affairs and was active in the militia organizations of
Western Pennsylvania, thereby acquiring the rank and title of general.After all, it was not in official life that Gen. Orr was greatest or that
he was most useful to his people. He was one of those men who needed not the
dignity of office to give him a name among his fellow citizens, or to command
their love and respect. His true loftiness and kindliness of character were
daily attested by little acts, which in his long lifetime aggregated an
immense good.Gen. Orr became possessed of a large number of land tracts in Armstrong and
adjoining counties, which he leased or sold as he had opportunity. During the
years he was most extensively engaged in his land business, money was scarce
and it was very frequently the case that purchasers were unable to meet their
payments. Debtor never had better creditor than Robert Orr. When those to whom
he sold were embarrassed and could not meet their obligations, he extended
their time and gave them easier terms. With many individuals this was done
again and again, until at last they were able to pay. Gen. Orr never
dispossessed a man of property on which he was toiling to discharge his
indebtedness. Often the sons of the men who contracted with him for lands
completed the payment for them. Through this leniency and lack of oppression
in the subject of our sketch many families were enabled to gain homes. He was
in a very literal sense the steward of his riches, holding them for others�
good as well as his own. His kindness of heart and practical philanthropy
found expression in many ways beside the one on which we have dwelt. He was
unostentatiously and judiciously charitable throughout his life. He did much
to advance the interests of the school and church, and for many years prior to
his death was a member of the Presbyterian church.Gen. Orr�s whole life was identified with Armstrong county. For about
three years (1848-52) he resided in Allegheny City, and for a short time,
about 1845, he lived at Orrsville (mouth of Mahoning), but the greater number
of his years were passed in Kittanning. He was interested in and helped to
advance almost every local public improvement inaugurated during this time.
Laboring zealously for the construction of the A. V. R. R., he lived to
realize his hope in that direction and to see the wealth of his county
practically increased by its mineral and agricultural resources being made
more easily available to the uses of the world.In politics Gen. Orr was a Democrat, in 1861 a War Democrat. He used his
influence and contributed liberally of his means to assist the organization of
the military, and the camp where the 78th and 103rd
regts. Rendezvoused was appropriately named in his honor. His appearance upon
the ground, when the soldiers were encamped there, was always the signal for
an ovation, or at least hearty cheers, and all who knew him gathered round him
to shake the hand of the old soldier of 1812.Gen. Orr lived to see the war ended and the country he loved so much still
preserved in union. He lived to witness the nation recover from the worst
effects of that war and in the centennial year rejoice in peace and
prosperity.Upon May 22, 1876, this grand, good old man passed away at his residence in
Kittanning, after a lingering but not severe illness, “full of riches,
full of honors and full of years.”Gen. Orr was married in 1836 to Martha, sister of the late Judge Robert C.
Grier, of the United States supreme court, who died December 7, 1881. Two
children were the offspring of this propitious union�Grier C. Orr, Esq., and
Fannie E. Orr. The last-named, of most esteemed memory, died March 14, 1882,
after a brief illness.Source: Page(s)
587-589,
History of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania by Robert Walker Smith, Esq.
Chicago: Waterman, Watkins & Co., 1883.
Transcribed November 1998
by Debra Shelkeyt for the Armstrong County Smith Project.
Contributed by Debra Shelkeyt for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy
Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
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