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         ROBERT H. ORR, a retired farmer now residing in Columbus City, is an honored pioneer of Louisa County, of 1843. He was born in Blount County, Tenn., April 8, 1817, and is a son of William and Mary (Walker) Orr. His father was born in Pennsylvania, and both parents were of Scotch-Irish descent. Robert was reared to agricultural pursuits, and in 1843, as before stated, came to the Territory of Iowa, settling in Louisa County, though the following year he returned to his native State, where, on the 14th of July, 1848, he wedded Miss Nancy A. Johnston, a daughter of Francis H. and Jane (Ferguson) . . .

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. . . Johnston, who were natives of Tennessee, but of Scotch-Irish origin. Mr. and Mrs. Orr have five children now living: William, who married Euphemia Baird, resides in Union Township, Louisa County; Alice is at home; Francis N. became the husband of Fannie Giffin, and lives in Union Township; Elizabeth and Charles H. yet reside with their parents. One daughter, Mary, who was the wife of T. L. Baird, died at the age of twenty-one; a son, Robert H., died when sixteen years of age; and five other children died in infancy.

In 1851 Mr. Orr returned to Washington County, Iowa, settling in Crawford Township, where he engaged in farming until the spring of 1864, at which time he took up his residence in Union Township, Louisa County, there making his home until 1885, when he removed to Columbus City. He still owns 160 acres of farming land in Union Township, besides four lots in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Orr and their daughters are members of the Associate Presbyterian Church. He has been prominently identified with that organization in Columbus City, and is one of the few who have stood by the original church after the union. He has always been a consistent Christian, earnest in the discharge of every duty, both public and private, and enjoys the highest respect of the community in which he lives. He is a Republican in politics, and has voted with that party since its organization.