My Genealogy Hound

HON. J. L. ORR is the son of John and Emily (Bagley) Orr, both natives of Marshall County (then called Bedford and Lincoln Counties); the former was born in 1811 and the latter in 1813. They were married in 1830 and were the parents of three children — two girls and one boy. The father followed the occupation of a farmer and served as colonel in the State militia. He was a Democrat in politics. His death occurred April, 1849. The mother died January, 1886. Our subject was born November 9, 1836, in Marshall County, and passed his early life in assisting on the farm and in attending the public school. He completed his education in Erskin College, graduating from that institution in August, 1860. January 29, 1874, he wedded Sally S. Williams, and this union resulted in the birth of four children: Julia, Daisy, Sallie and Robert Williams. In 1861 Mr. Orr enlisted in Company A, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, commanded by Col. Baxter Smith, and was all through the war. He surrendered at Charlotte, N. C., May 4, 1865, and returned home. He held the rank of first lieutenant and was wounded slightly. He was in all the principal engagements of the southwestern army (except Shiloh). He served two terms in the State Legislature and is a Democrat in politics. He is a self-made man, and at one time taught in the common schools and worked for his father-in-law ten years. He is now doing business for himself as merchant and grain dealer, stock raiser, grain farmer, and is doing a successful business.