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Below is a family biography included in The History of Marshall 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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ROBERT J. ORR is a son of Robert and Leah (Polk) Orr. The father was born in Maryland, May, 1765, was married in 1790 and immigrated to Williamson County, Tenn., 1800. In 1808 he moved to Marshall County, then known as Bedford County. The mother was of English descent and was born in 1768 and died in 1830. The father died January 5, 1855, and was of Irish lineage. The subject of this sketch was born February 11, 1813, at the old homestead. He worked on the farm until the death of his father, after which he worked for himself. He received a rather limited education in the district schools, and September 25, 1849, he was married to Sarah E. Laws. This union has been blessed by the birth of eight children: David L., Leah C., John M. (deceased), Martha M., Catherine O., Alfred D., Nellie M. and Robert J. Mr. Orr served as captain and colonel in the Tennessee militia until the Rebellion, but did not take an active part in the war. He held the office of magistrate for eighteen years to the entire satisfaction of the people. He is a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian Church and is a strong advocate of the cause of temperance. Mrs. Orr is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her father advocated the cause of the South, serving in the State Legislature before and after the war.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in The History of Marshall County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Marshall County was included within The History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Beford and Marshall Counties of Tennessee

View additional Marshall County, Tennessee family biographies here

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