Orr, H.T. 'Pete' 1893-1976

ORR, TOPLIFF, KEAN, SHAW, BACON, DEBES, BALEKOS, KEEHNER, JOHNSON, EHRHARDT

Posted By: Charlene Barnhart (deceased)
Date: 1/15/2006 at 03:35:17

Monona Billboard – February 12, 1976

H. T. ORR SERVICES HELD
Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 10, 1976, at Schultz’s Funeral Home in Monona, Iowa, for Harold Topliff Orr, who died on February 8. He was 82 years, 7 months and 12 days old. Rev. Raymond Pacholke officiated. Masonic Services had been held on Monday at 8 p.m. at the Clayton Lodge # 70 AF & AM. Pallbearers were Lloyd Bacon, Harvey Debes, George Balekos, Sr., George Keehner, A. J. Johnson and Roy Ehrhardt. Burial was in the Monona City Cemetery.
Harold Topliff Orr, better known to his friends as “Pete” was born in Monona June 26, 1893, the son of Frank M. Orr and Emma Topliff Orr. He attended the local school, graduating from Monona High School in June 1909, two weeks before his 16th birthday. The following week he began working as a bookkeeper in the Monona State Bank, the first state chartered bank in Monona which his father founded the year before Pete was born.
He spent his active life in the employ of said bank and its successor, lasting for a period of 57 years, eventually attaining the office of president which he held at the time of his retirement in 1965. During most of this time he was also engaged in the insurance and real estate business. After retirement from the bank he kept current his real estate brokers license and accepted an appointment on the Clayton County Board of Tax Review.
He was active in civic affairs, serving two terms on the City Council during which time the first large scale street paving project in Monona was completed. He also served as secretary of the Monona School Board but resigned that position to enter the armed services where he served in the 19th or Twilight Division during World War I. He was a charter member of the Leslie H. Smith Post of the American Legion, a charter member of the Kiwanis Club and for more than 60 years a member of Clayton Lodge No. 70 A. F. & A. M., holding two terms as Master of the Lodge.
During his banking career he was recognized as one of the outstanding conservative bankers in northeast Iowa and his counsel was frequently sought by others of his profession.. After completing 50 years of such service he was honored with a banquet sponsored by the Clayton County Bankers Association which was attended by more than 50 northeast Iowa bankers and included guests from banks in Dubuque, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. He was presented with a plaque commending him for 50 years of outstanding service to his community and life membership in both the County and State Bankers Associations were conferred on him.
In 1920 he was married to Hazel Kean, a classmate all through grade and high school. Two children were born to this union, Elizabeth Jean, now Mrs. Donald Shaw of Davenport, and a state senator from the 40th district of Iowa, and William Frank of Peoria, Illinois, a part of the management corps of Caterpillar Tractor Co.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, two children, 7 grandchildren, one sister, Margaret, and several nieces and nephews. Three brothers and a sister preceded him in death.