HENRY MERRILL ORR (1896 - 1918)

ORR, WESTCOTT

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/4/2020 at 19:33:26

HENRY MERRILL ORR DIED SEPTEMBER 29
Henry Merrill Orr who died of pneumonia at the Great Lakes training camp September 29 gave his life in the cause of his country as truly as any who have fallen on the field of battle.

Henry Merrill Orr was born December 3, 1896 in Scott Township, Johnson County, Iowa on the old home farm where his parents lived nineteen years. He is survived by his parents, William H and Edith Westcott Orr and one brother, Ernest C. He moved with his parents when eight years of age to Iola, Kansas. At 12 years of age he united with the Presbyterian Church where he still holds membership.

Most of his boyhood days were spent in Kansas and Colorado. He attended high school at Hiawatha, Kansas and later attended Washburn College at Topeka, Kansas. At the time of his enlistment, July 9, of the present year he was holding a responsible position as assistant secretary with W.A.L. Thompson, wholesale hardware firm of Topeka. He enlisted at Kansas City, Mo., into the navy and received his call to the colors arriving at the Great Lakes naval training station, Great Lakes, Ills. August 1st, where he was at the time of his death, September 29, caused by pneumonia. He was laid to rest at Iowa City in the Oakland cemetery October 3.
Source: Press Citizen, Iowa City, IA 08 Oct 1918