William Orr

ORR, LUNSDEN, OROURKE, WHITE

Posted By: Alice Daniels (email)
Date: 9/7/2013 at 05:46:42

Semi Weekly Iowegian
May 31, 1907

DEATH OF WM. ORR
TAKES GOOD CITIZEN

Account of the Life of Leading Citizen of Mystic Who Recently Passed Away

Mystic, May 30.—Special.—William Orr, a pioneer of Mystic, died peace fully at his home in west Mystic Sunday morning. His death came after many weeks of illness. His sufferings of late had given all cause that knew him to believe that death could not be far distant. A few weeks since and he accompanied by his brother Alexander
made a short stay at Quenamo, Kans., going with the belief that his impaired health might be benefitted. Unfortunately conditions forced his return early and at no time was he convalescent thereafter.
William Orr was 64 years of age on October 9 last. At the age of 18 years, he left his native home in Ayshire, Scotland, to join his brother Robert in the state of Maryland, who had arrived
in 1857, It was at this time and place that he sought employment in that field that ever afterwards was to be his life work. He served in the capacity of a miner until in 1875. In 1861 he left Maryland and moved to Illinois, living first in Kewanee, and in 1862 moved to Colchester. In 1863 his father and brother, Alexander Orr, joined him at Colchester, where the latter became in terested in mining as well, and from that date William ever was associated with his brother in the work as miners and operators until his death. It was in '63 that a bit of romance sought its way into the affairs of his life and on Christmas eve of that year he married Miss Helen Lunsden of Colchester. After his marriage he moved to Bushnell, Illinois, where he lived four years and from there he moved with his family to Cuba, Illinois. This was his home until in 1875 when he and his brother Alexander moved to What Cheer, Iowa, and
sought a new field as operators. They opened the first railroad mines at What Cheer and operated them until in 1887 when they sold their interests there and leased lands of D. M. Vandike and installed the old I. & M. mine in Mystic, the first railroad mine on the ground that was later to be the town of Mystic.
While at What Cheer his wife died leaving three children, William H., now in Mason City and Mrs. Ella O'Rourke of Mystic, and Alexander who died in November, 1905, at Ottumwa. In 1882 he was again united in marriage to Mrs. White, of What Cheer. Of this family there was one son Charles who died at his home in Mystic in November, 1905.
Wm. Orr was a charter member of both the Masonic and Odd Follow lodges in his home town, and from the time of his ill-fated health until the hour of death his fraternal brothers spared no effort to give him both comfort and care.
The hour of his death marks the closing of a successful life. It is the passing from the field of activities of a good man. Valor and honor wore mingled with his blood, and the eternal principles of right and duty he ever stood ready to defend, even at a sacrifice. No better phrase can I find, however homely it may be, none can be more appropriate and perhaps none suit better than this, "He was an honest man."

Note: William Orr buried Elgin Cemetery, Mystic, Appanoose Co., Iowa. His wife, Helen, buried in McFarlan Cemetery, What Cheer, Keokuk Co., Iowa.