Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 822
MRS. ELLEN J. ORR

It is a matter of regret that biographical works do not pay more attention to the work and careers of noble women. They have an equal or even greater part in the success of their husbands than he himself. Not so very long ago, the President of the United States, who is a voluminous historian, was assailed for the scant reference he has paid in his volumes to women and their works. In these latter days, women are gaining more and more recognition, whether it is the suffrage movement which is responsible for according to women the recognition which has long been delayed, or whether it is the natural working out of the law of eternal justice. Nevertheless, this added and increasing recognition is a fact that cannot be lost sight of by the present day historians. One of the noble women of Harrison County, Iowa, is Mrs. Ellen ORR, the widow of John ORR, who owns and lives in a magnificent home in La Grange township.

Mrs. Ellen ORR was born June 26, 1849, in Lincolnshire, England, the daughter of William and Susan (HAND) CROSSLEY. The former was born December 2, 1807, in England. When about 30 years of age, he came to Ohio and engaged in farming there. Eight or ten years later, he returned to England and was there married. In a short time, he brought his family to Iowa where he bought land near Council Bluffs. Here he built a log house and made many improvements. The land was first plowed with a team of oxen. He farmed until his death in 1882. His wife, Susan Hand, was born in 1810 in Lincolnshire, England, and died in 1862. They were the parents of four children: Mary, who is deceased; Mrs. Margaret Fletcher of Council Bluffs; Mrs. Ellen ORR, the subject of this sketch; and William of Council Bluffs.

Mrs. ORR remained at home with her parents until 27 yars old. She attended the public schools of Council Bluffs and taught one year in the schools of this city. She was married in 1876 to John A. ORR, who was born in 1850 in Ohio. He was the son of William and Margaret (ORR) ORR, both natives of Ireland, who, after their marriage, came to America on their wedding tour. They prospered in this country and were the parents of twelve children.

John A. ORR, the deceased husband of Mrs. Ellen ORR, was reared on a farm in La Grange township. He became a very extensive farmer and stockman and was well known, not only throughout Harrison county, but throughout the state of Iowa, as a breeder of Duroc-Jersey hogs and Durham cattle. He was one of the first men to exhibit Duroc-Jersey hogs at the Harrison county fairs. The farmers were much amazed at this species of hogs and, as a joke, they accused him of painting them red. This breed, however, has become extremely popular since Mr. ORR first exhibited them in Harrison county. He was at one time township clerk and assessor of La Grange township, and at the time of his death, owned 200 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. ORR were the parents of three children: William L., born in 1878, now living with his mother in La Grange township and managing the home place; Fannie, who died at the age of ten years; and Bruce, born in 1881 in La Grange, was educated in the district schools in this township and is a young and energetic farmer. He owns 240 acres of land upon which all modern improvements have been made. He was married in 1912 to Eva M. POORE, who was born in 1894 in La Grange township, daughter of James D. and May (MCINTIRE) POORE, natives of Michigan. Both are living at Harris Grove in La Grange township.

Mrs. Ellen ORR has done a great deal of improving on the farm which she owns. She has built the finest farm house in Harrison county. It cost ten thousand dollars and is situated near a splendid grove on the north side, consisting of five acres. Mrs. ORR and her son own 1,200 acres of land. The family is independent in politics. Mrs. Ellen ORR is today regarded as one of Harrison county's best known and noblest women. She is a woman of agreeable and pleasing personality, keen business judgment and well rounded ability in many things.

Return to 1915 Biographical O Surnames Index

Back to 1915 Biographies Index