BIO: Adam Orris, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER XXXIX. BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG. 429 BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG. ADAM ORRIS, of Eberly & Orris, manufacturers of patent and wood-hub wheels, etc., Mechanicsburg, is a representative of one of the oldest and best families of Cumberland County. He was born on the old homestead of his father, in Silver Spring Township, this county, two miles north of Mechanicsburg, March 31, 1838. His father, David Orris, was of English descent, born in this county; first married Miss Susan Eichelberger, also a native of this county, daughter of Adam Eichelberger, who was of German descent, and by this union had eight children, of whom three are living: John, a retired carpenter and hotel proprietor, residing in Mechanicsburg; Susan M., wife of William E. Beistline, a boot and shoe manufacturer, of New Kingston, this county, and Adam. Mrs. Susan Orris died in 1840, a member of the Lutheran Church. David Orris married, for his second wife, Miss Susan Senseman, and by her had two children, of whom the following survive: Elizabeth, Catharine, wife of Eli Dunkelberger; David; Samuel; Jennetta, wife of Samuel Kast, and Levan H. David Orris died in 1869. The mother is still living. She and her husband were always members of the Lutheran Church. Adam Orris, subject of our sketch, attended school during winters, working on his father's farm in summer time until he was sixteen, when he clerked in a general store at Hogestown until he was twenty. He then clerked at New Kingston until 1862, when he entered the army, serving as sergeant-major of the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry. At the expiration of his term of service he was mustered out and returned to New Kingston, where he bought a half interest in the store of David Strohn, and one year later purchased his partner's interest and conducted the business alone some two years, when H. H. Lamb was admitted as a partner. In 1870 Orris & Lamb sold out to J. A. Heagy, and Orris formed a partnership with Capt. Samuel J. Shoop. They purchased 2,000 acres of timber land in Franklin County, Penn., erected saw-mills and engaged very extensively in the manufacture of lumber, etc. In May, 1885, Mr. Orris formed his present partnership with A. G. Eberly. Our subject was united in marriage, March 1, 1864, with Miss M. Isabella Fought, born in Silver Spring Township, this county, daughter of Peter and Margaret (Armstrong) Fought, natives of Cumberland County. Mr. and Mrs. Orris are members of the Lutheran Church. They have two children: Talbert D., the eldest, attended the high schools of Mechanicsburg, Chambersburg Academy, and graduated from the Harrisburg Business College in 1883. In March, 1884, he went to Philadelphia, and was employed as salesman in the wholesale wall paper house of Elder & Bentley until July, 1885, when, at his father's request, he became assistant and traveling salesman for Eberly & Orris. Miss Maggie M. Orris resides at home with her parents. Adam Orris is one of the energetic, enterprising men and leading manufacturers of Mechanicsburg, and stands high in the estimation of all as an upright, representative citizen and Christian gentleman.