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Below is a family biography included in The History of Gibson County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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James H. Orr is a resident of the Twenty-first District, of Gibson County, Tenn., and was born in Rutherford County, on the 19th of March, 1815, son of Robert and Nancy Orr, natives of North Carolina. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and moved to Gibson County in 1841, settling on his home farm of ninety-six acres of desirable and well improved land. The principal products are corn, wheat, cotton and oats. Mr. Orr started in life with but little capital, but now has a fair competency and a good home. He was married to Frances M. Barker, December 6, 1836, and by her became the father of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters: Alexander G., William E., Martha E., James D., Elizabeth F., Stephen R., Francis M., Daniel F., Mary S., Samuel N. and Sarah M. Mrs. Orr died December 2, 1858, and Mr. Orr was married to Mrs. Amanda C. Grier, September 15, 1858, daughter of Gilford and Margaret Browning, of Gibson County. For his third wife Mr. Orr took Mrs. Nancy C. Matthews, daughter of Crawford and Sarah Edwards. They were married March 19, 1878. This wife died January 14, 1885. He married his fourth wife, Mrs. Harriet Black, June 16, 1886. Her parents, James and Nancy Wilson, were residents of McNairy County, Tenn. The Orr family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Orr is a Democrat and a member of the F. & A. M.

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This family biography is one of 242 biographies included in The History of Gibson County, Tennessee published in 1887.  The History of Gibson County was included within The History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley & Lake Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley, and Lake Counties of Tennessee

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