ORR, JAMES WESLEY, farmer and lawyer, was born in Lee county, Virginia, July 19, 1841. His parents were David and Rhoda Orr; and his father was an industrious and energetic farmer of Lee county. Mr. Orr's earliest ancestor in America in the paternal line was Alexander Orr, who, with one brother and sister, came to this country from Ireland and, settling in Pennsylvania, married there.

Mr. Orr's early life was passed in the country, where he grew up with vigorous physical health, and with the tastes and interests of a country boy on a farm. During his early life he was required to perform the manual labor involved in regular work on his father's farm. The elder Orr had but a limited education; and his son determined at an early age to obtain the best education that he could. This he acquired largely by his own efforts, attending the country schools, and obtaining later academic instruction at Jonesville academy. He never took a professional course at any educational institute, but read law privately, studying the usual text-books of a law course.

The War between the States breaking out before he had begun the active work of life, he entered the service of the Confederate States as a private, enlisting when he was nineteen years of age. His career as a soldier was a gallant and devoted one. He was promoted from the rank of private to that of first lieutenant, and lost an arm in action at the battle of Sharpsburg, but continued in the service to the fall of the Confederacy in 1865.

Returning to his home after the close of the war, he was in 1865 elected by his fellow-citizens of Lee county to the office of sheriff of the county, a position which he held for three years. He was subsequently elected clerk of the circuit and county courts, and held this office for ten and a half years; and was then chosen by the general assembly of Virginia judge of the county court of Lee county, which position he filled acceptably for eight years. When the constitutional convention was called in 1901 to frame a new organic law for the commonwealth, Judge Orr was elected a member of the convention, and served throughout its sessions. In addition to the many other offices of honor and responsibility which he has occupied, he was for eight years chairman of the Democratic county committee of Lee county.

Judge Orr is an active and unswerving Democrat, and has never changed his political creed or party association on any issue. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is a Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has filled all the offices of the local Masonic lodge to which he belongs, except that of tyler.

Judge Orr's life has been a busy one, and has included at various times the holding of public office, farming, merchandising, and practicing law.

He married, November 9, 1865, Patty Vermilliam. They had six children.

ORR, JAMES WESLEY, farmer and lawyer, was born in Lee county, Virginia, July 19, 1841. His parents were David and Rhoda Orr; and his father was an industrious and energetic farmer of Lee county. Mr. Orr's earliest ancestor in America in the paternal line was Alexander Orr, who, with one brother and sister, came to this country from Ireland and, settling in Pennsylvania, married there.

Mr. Orr's early life was passed in the country, where he grew up with vigorous physical health, and with the tastes and interests of a country boy on a farm. During his early life he was required to perform the manual labor involved in regular work on his father's farm. The elder Orr had but a limited education; and his son determined at an early age to obtain the best education that he could. This he acquired largely by his own efforts, attending the country schools, and obtaining later academic instruction at Jonesville academy. He never took a professional course at any educational institute, but read law privately, studying the usual text-books of a law course.

The War between the States breaking out before he had begun the active work of life, he entered the service of the Confederate States as a private, enlisting when he was nineteen years of age. His career as a soldier was a gallant and devoted one. He was promoted from the rank of private to that of first lieutenant, and lost an arm in action at the battle of Sharpsburg, but continued in the service to the fall of the Confederacy in 1865.

Returning to his home after the close of the war, he was in 1865 elected by his fellow-citizens of Lee county to the office of sheriff of the county, a position which he held for three years. He was subsequently elected clerk of the circuit and county courts, and held this office for ten and a half years; and was then chosen by the general assembly of Virginia judge of the county court of Lee county, which position he filled acceptably for eight years. When the constitutional convention was called in 1901 to frame a new organic law for the commonwealth, Judge Orr was elected a member of the convention, and served throughout its sessions. In addition to the many other offices of honor and responsibility which he has occupied, he was for eight years chairman of the Democratic county committee of Lee county.

Judge Orr is an active and unswerving Democrat, and has never changed his political creed or party association on any issue. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is a Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has filled all the offices of the local Masonic lodge to which he belongs, except that of tyler.

Judge Orr's life has been a busy one, and has included at various times the holding of public office, farming, merchandising, and practicing law.

He married, November 9, 1865, Patty Vermilliam. They had six children.