Tulare County Biographies

JAMES R. ORR

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
        This representative and honored citizen of Tulare county has been 
distinctively the architect of his own fortunes, has been true and loyal in all 
the relations of life and stands as a type of that sterling manhood which ever 
commands respect and honor. J. R. Orr, who owns a splendid and well improved 
ranch near Pixley, is a native of the state now honored by his citizenship, born 
in Norwalk, California, a son of W. W. and Sarah E. (Ryle) Orr, both of whom 
were natives of Kentucky, the former born in Union county and the latter in 
Oldham county. Mr. Orr's paternal grandparents, William and Susan (Stone) Orr, 
also were natives of the Blue Grass state, while his maternal grandfather, John 
Ryle, was a native of Ireland and was a surveyor by profession. W. W. Orr was 
bereft of his father when but five years of age and, being one of seven 
children, it then became necessary for him to remain at home and assist his 
mother in caring for his brothers and sisters. At the age of nineteen years, 
however, he started out on his own account and accompanied one of the early ox 
team caravans across the plains to San Francisco. His first permanent location 
was in Eldorado, where he leased a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, which 
he operated for five years. Then for a few years he operated a stock ranch in 
Contra Costa county. His next venture was as proprietor of the La Fayette Hotel, 
at La Fayette, of which he was host for ten years. He then became associated 
with Judge Venable, with whom he went to Nevada and engaged in the lumber 
business, which commanded his attention for three years. At the termination of 
their partnership Mr. Orr returned to Kentucky, making the trip by way of the 
Isthmus of Panama. About a year afterward he was married and in 1869 he and his 
young wife started on the long journey overland to the Golden state. In Waco, 
Texas, their first child was born, but after a short halt there they resumed 
their journey and in due time arrived in San Diego, broke but happy. Here Mr. 
Orr received a letter from Judge Venable, advising him to go to Los Angeles, 
which he did and was soon engaged in ranching as a renter. He was successful and 
before long bought land and eventually became the owner of much land and 
acquired considerable prominence and influence in Norwalk. In connection with 
general farming he raised thoroughbred horses and ran a high-class dairy. His 
death occurred on his ranch in November, 1917, and his wife died there on August 
21, 1905.
        James R. Orr received a good public school education and after 
graduating from the high school he took a course in a business college. He has 
followed ranching during all of his active years, first for a short time in 
Tipton, after which he rented the Dr. Alford ranch, west of Pixley. Eventually 
he bought six hundred and forty acres of land, comprising the nucleus of his 
present holdings, which amount to approximately fifteen hundred acres. Since 
acquiring this ranch Mr. Orr has made many permanent and substantial 
improvements, not the least of which is the beautiful and well arranged stucco 
home, situated in the midst of a eucalyptus grove, and which he has occupied 
since 1923. He has been successful in all his operations and his record is too 
well known to the readers of this work to require any fulsome encomium here. Mr. 
Orr was one of the organizers of the bank in Pixley, which he served at various 
times as president, vice-president and director. A progressive, scientific and 
industrious agriculturist, he is also a public-spirited citizen, giving his 
earnest support to every movement for the advancement of the community along all 
normal lines. Genial and accommodating, he has won and retains a host of warm 
and loyal friends throughout the locality where he lives.
        Mr. Orr was married on June 27, 1906, to Miss Mabel Miller, the daughter 
of W. S. Miller, a pioneer ranchman of Pixley. Mr. and Mrs. Orr have two sons : 
Edgar and Ashley. Mr. Orr is a Mason and also belongs to the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks.
 
Source:  History of Tulare County and Kings County, California � Kathleen 
Edwards Small & J. Larry Smith, Vol. II, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1926., p. 424