California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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


WILLIAM ORR.� A resident of California for more than fifty 
years, William Orr is well and favorably known for his genial good nature. He 
was born in Prince Edwards Isle, April 15, 1848, and his father Capt. William 
Orr was born on the Clyde in Scotland, coming when ten years of age with his 
parents to Prince Edwards Isle, where he grew to manhood and learned the 
ship-builders' trade and afterwards he engaged in ship building. Later he 
sailed his own vessels as master or captain in the coasting trade following it 
until he retired and then came to California in 1874 where he spent his last 
days. William Orr's mother was Janet Semper, born in Prince Edwards Isle 
of Scotch parents ; she also died in California. They had twelve children as 
follows : James was accidentally killed when he was nineteen years of age ; 
Margaret is the wife of Captain McLeod who came to California in 1867 and 
resides in Pacific Grove; Elizabeth, Mrs. Webster, came to California with 
William and resides in San Luis Obispo; William, our subject; Robert, a 
dairyman near Hollister; Lemuel died while residing near Hollister; Oliver is 
also a dairyman at Hollister; Maria Jane is Mrs. Lamont of San Francisco; 
Mark came to California in the early seventies, he started overland for Lead- 
ville, Colo., and was lost track of for a time but the family finally learned he 
had been killed by Indians enroute ; Albert lives near Hollister ; Harriet M. is 
Mrs. McCobb of Pasadena, and Richard is a farmer near Lemoore. 

William Orr was reared on his father's farm on the Atlantic Coast, for 
although a seafaring man his father lived with his family on a farm and he 
received a good education in the district schools of his native place. William 
did not like the life of a sailor so he naturally gave all the more attention to 
farming as he grew up and chose that for his calling. In October, 1869, he 
came to San Benito County, Cal., where he was employed at ranching until 
November, 1873. He then purchased a band of sheep and drove them to Fresno 
County. He bought a claim on the Polvadero and had his headquarters there. 
As early as 1874 he hauled his wool to Fresno, then a small place. They had 
mail once a month and he used to drive over the Coast Range via Pacheco 
Pass to Gilroy for his provisions for the first three years. In 1884 he located 
on his present place; here he bought out a man's location and took a preemp- 
tion and then a homestead, this being the nucleus of his present large ranch. 
He was successful raising sheep though he had many ups and downs. In 1877, 
the dry year, he lost heavily and it broke him for the time being, but he went 
ahead and in time cleared the debt he had contracted. At times his flocks have 
numbered 10,000 head. From time to time he purchased more land and now 
owns about 4,000 acres. His headquarters are about twenty miles southeast of 
Coalinga the ranch lying on the Fresno and Kings County line and is watered 
by Tar Creek as well as numerous springs and wells. The last few years he has 
also engaged in cattle raising. He is a stockholder in the Han ford National 
Bank. Always interested in education he helped build the first schools of his 
district in Fresno County while living on the Polvadero. Always a protectionist, 
Mr. Orr is a stanch Republican.