Now that the summertime of life has ended and the autumn winds of old age
have come, the subject of this review can look backward over a career that
has been well spent, resulting in good to those whom it touched and has
brought comfort to himself.
Hiram Orr was born in Licking county,
Ohio, December 16, 1828, the son of Zachariah and Mary (Dusthimer) Orr,
early settlers of the Buckeye state, where it is supposed they were born.
Zachariah was a farmer, a Democrat, and a member of the Baptist church. He
passed away in Licking county, Ohio, in 1891, his wife having died there at
an earlier date. Six children were born to them, namely: Robert, living in
Licking county, Ohio; Hiram, our subject; Sarah, deceased; John, who is
living in Kansas, a retired farmer; Cyrus, deceased; Eliza, also deceased.
Zachariah was married a second time. When he died he had accumulated quite a
competency having been a very successful farmer.
Our subject remained
at his parental home, assisting with the work about the place and attending
the old pioneer schools in cabins with puncheon floors and seats and windows
where greased paper was used for panes, until he was twenty-one years old.
He has since added very much to the rudiments of education he gained there
by systematic home reading and study, and close observation. When of age Mr.
Orr decided to devote his life work to farming and consequently bought a
farm in his native county, having managed it in a most successful manner
until October 1, 1868 when he moved to Marion county, Illinois, believing
that still greater advantages existed here on the less crowded western
prairies than in the East and where land was much cheaper, having sold his
Ohio farm at good figures.
Mr. Orr purchased two hundred and
seventy-four acres of land in Stevenson township on which he continuously
lived, bringing it up to a high state of improvement, in fact, making it one
of the "show" farms of this locality, the fields being well fenced and well
drained and kept in first class productive condition through the careful
rotation of crops and the application of home fertilizers, and on this place
may always be found large numbers of all kinds of live stock of the best
grade, Mr. Orr having ever taken a great interest in stock of various kinds.
A modern, substantial and nicely furnished residence is owned by Mr. Orr and
good barns and outbuildings in general are found about the place. Mr. Orr at
present rents most of his land, but still oversees it, keeping it up to the
high standard of former years.
In 1849 our subject was united in
marriage with Mary Basom, who was born in Perry county, Ohio, about 1830,
the daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Emery, natives of New England. Three
children were born to this union, namely: Frances, who is the wife of Peter
M. Mechling, a farmer living in Perry county, Ohio. They are the parents of
four children, namely: Hiram Orvil, Bertha, Frank and Fred, the last two
twins; Martha, the second child of our subject, is the wife of Marion
Tolliver Stevenson, who is living in Alma township, Marion county, this
state, and are the parents of these children, Edgar, Mabel, Orin, Roy, Edna,
Claud and Lloyd. Edith, the subject's third child, is the wife of John P.
Brubaker, who is also living in Alma township, being the mother of two
children, Hazel and Ada.
These children received all the home
training possible and were given good educations, each being well situated
in life.
Mr. Orr is a staunch Democrat in his political affiliation,
although he has never taken a very active part in public affairs. He ably
filled the position of School Director and his support is always to be
depended upon in any issue having for its object the betterment of the
community in any way. The subject and wife are kind, hospitable and good
natured, making all who enter their home feel like they were among friends.
Extracted 10 Jul 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 159-160.