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Below is a family biography included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co. 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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WILLIAM ORR, clerk, Pittsburgh, was born in Londonderry, Ireland, Aug. 17, 1832, and is a son of Hugh and Jemima (Hare) Orr, natives of County Derry, Ireland, farmers and Presbyterians, and who died in 1856. Mr. Orr had six brothers and sisters, five of whom grew up. In June, 1851, he came to America, where for three years he worked for farmers in Delaware county. Pa. In 1859 he came to Pittsburgh, but soon moved to Tennessee, where he was compelled to remain until 1862, owing to the war. Returning in that year, he has made his home here since. He is a republican, a member of the R. P. Church. Mr. Orr married, Feb. 1, 1864, Mrs. Mary Hacket, nee McKee, widow of James Hacket.
James Orr, their only son, was educated in Pittsburgh, and commenced life as a telegraph messenger, and later he operated the first switchboard in the Union Telephone station. In July, 1882, he entered the employ of R. C. Patterson, where, by faithful labor, he worked himself up to his present position of head florist. He was married April 19, 1888, to Sadie, daughter of John and Mary J. Edenger.
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This family biography is one of 2,156 biographies included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.
View additional Allegheny County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Biographies
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