BIO: Levon H. Orris, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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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
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

                               CHAPTER LX.

                       WEST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

585  WEST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

  LEVON H. ORRIS, farmer, Newville, was born October 10, 1834, in 
Lizertzburg.  His great-grandparents, with their children, were forced 
to fly from Ireland, leaving behind them a large estate.  When 
Christopher Orris (grandfather of subject) was a mere lad he came to 
North Middleton Township, this county, and remained in the employment 
of Abraham Wagner until his marriage with Anna M. Bistline.  John, the 
eldest son, was born in August, 1809, followed by Elizabeth, Margaret, 
Maria, Christopher, Sarah A., Catharine, Susan, George B. and 
Zacharias.  When the war of 1812 broke out Christopher Orris started to 
Carlisle, intending to volunteer, but the tears and entreaties of his 
wife and young children caused him to relinquish the idea.  He was a 
good man and reared his family in the Lutheran faith of which church he 
was a member.  John Orris was married October 10, 1833, to Elizabeth 
Koser, whose people were among the first settlers in the neighborhood, 
and many of the relationship are yet residents of Cumberland County.  
Levon H., Margaret and Rebecca were born prior to their parents' 
removal to Frankford Township, near the Lutheran Church, where the 
other children were born:  John, Eliza J. and Sylvester, all now 
deceased, Sylvester dying in defense of his country at Alexandria, Va., 
during the late Rebellion.  Levon H. Orris learned the tailor's trade 
with his father, working for him until 1855, when he married Nancy A., 
daughter of Moses and Maria (Sullenborger) Whistler, when he began 
farming in Mifflin Township on his wife's land.  In 1859 he purchased a 
nice farm in Frankford Township, this county, residing 

586  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

there twenty-one years, during which time John S., Harvey H., Levon H. 
and Nannie M. were born (the birth of the first child occurring ten 
years after marriage).  Mr. Orris has filled many offices of trust, and 
was chosen to represent the Democratic party as treasurer from a list 
of twenty-two candidates, was elected by a good majority in 1873, and 
served his official term with credit.  In 1881 he purchased his present 
farm near Newville, and pays attention entirely to agriculture and 
stock-raising.