BIO: John G. ORR, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm
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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, page 347.
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  ORR, JOHN G., was born at Willow Grove Mills, Southampton township, 
Franklin county, Pa.  The year in which he was born his parents made 
their home in Orrstown, a town founded by his father, William Orr, and 
by his brother, John Orr, where he resided until 1865.  He received his 
education in the public schools of that place, and his business habits 
and training from his father on the farm where his earlier years were 
passed.  He was a general clerk in one of the stores of the village, 
and in that occupation he continued until he removed to Carlisle, 
Cumberland county, to accept a position in the First National Bank of 
that place.  In 1874 he returned to his early home, and in April of the 
following year he engaged in merchandising until 1879, when, under the 
firm name of John G. & D. A. Orr, he became one of the editors and 
proprietors of the Valley Spirit and removed to Chambersburg.  He is 
one of the founders of the Children's Aid Society of Franklin county, 
and by his active and earnest support has added greatly to its success.  
For a number of years he was the secretary, and is now the president of 
the society.  The founding of a hospital by the society in 
Chambersburg, which is doing good work for the suffering, is the result 
of his efforts to that end.  For several years Mr. Orr was a ruling 
elder in the Presbyterian Church at Middle Springs, and has twice 
represented the Presbytery of Carlisle in the General Assembly of the 
Presbyterian Church.  In September, 1885, he was chosen a ruling elder 
in the Falling Spring Presbyterian church, of Chambersburg.  In 1891 he 
became interested in The Patriot, of Harrisburg, and gives his personal 
attention to the business of that influential paper.  Mr. Orr was 
married, in 1871, to Miss Martha M. Hays, of Middle Spring, Franklin 
county, Pa.