New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-16

Alexander EctOP Orr Is descended from that SccUh-
Irish parentage which has given TO this country many
men Of mark in business and professional life lie
was born across the sea. in Ireland in the village OF
stratan, County Tyrone Province of Ulster. His
paternal ancestors left Scotland In the seventeenth
century The youth was destined for the British East
India COmpary's service. but fortune made MN a
business man OF eminence in the metropolis OF the
Western World. place had been secured for him al
the age of thirteen in the college of the company al
Addiscombe. England, but severe accident when
made him cripple for years prevented his accepting
the appointment. Instead he was sent to private
tutor at KlaloO Glebe. where he was educated ana
frally recovered his strength and threw away his
crutches
In 1850 he made q voyage from Cardiff. Wales to
Wilmington, y. G., the trip taking between Two and
three months. While waiting for the vessel to UNLOAD
and reload he visited Richmond Washington Baltimore
and Philadelphia, but had TO return TO the vessel before
reaching New York. But lie had seen enough OF the
United States TO induce him to desire to make his home
in this country and the following he arrived In
Philadelphia aud came to Ncw-Iork His first
place was with Ralph Post, and then he was EN-
ployed by Wallace Wckes. In 1858 he became con-
| nected with the firm OF David Dows Co., having
married daughter of Ammi DOws one Of the partners.
This firm, founded In 1925. was reorganized by David
Bows In 1861, and young Mr. Orr became one Of the
partners with two Others OF Mr.. Dows's nephcws.
lie Is now the sole surviving partner In the firm,
which is still In existence, although In 1888. before
the death of Mr.. Dows. the active business OF
the firm was turned 20 younger hands.
and the business is being gradually lquidaied. For
q quarter OF century. under the active guild
| unce Of Mr. Dows and Mr.. Orr, II
OF the largest commission houses in -four, grain and
provisions in the country. 1t aimed TO do strictly
commission business principally in home products, and
il has effected much for the commerce Of this port.
business of hundreds Of thousands Of dollars annually
has been done. The greatest grain elevator in the
! world was erected by the firm a few years ago at
Paclnc-st, Brooklyn With the adjoining warehouse
a capacity Is afforded for 100000 bushels. The
building and machinery represent an investment OF
million of dollars, and the property pays the city
| sos 900 a year In taxes and affords employment to
! many men. by the improved appliances In the
elevator a vessel can be loaded with grain in nine
| hours which IL would take ten days to load BY the
old method OF handling grain. BY the saving Of time
thus afforded a vessel can be loaded and reach a
foreign market In England or upon the Continent be-
| fore IL would be loaded by the old methods.
The work Of the firm to which Mr.. Orr belongs has
been largely TO maintain the supremacy OF the port
| of New York commercial centre for grain.
| IL is almost easy TO load vessel
| with grain in this port and dispatch her to
port In Ireland to load one in Liverpool or Ant
werp and send her TO the same point. The firm OF
David Dows Co. has always been a synonymc for the
highest commercial credit and none In New-York has
ever stood higher in the estimation of business men,
Mr. Orr has managed large share Of the business ever
since he was admitted to partnership by his uncle by
marriage.
| In 1859 Mr. Orr became a member of the Produce
Exchange and he especially active in promoting
the movement which led to the erection Of the great
new building Of the Exchange. which Is one Of the
| sights OF New-York As secretary Of the Building
Committee, Mr. Orr had much TO do with the
sderaton OF the plans and the supervision Of the
structure which cost over 100000. The mammoth
building with s square Italian tower, fronting
lon whitehall-st and Bowling Green is one
| Of the most conspicuous edifccs In downtown
NewYork. At the laying of the cornerstone on June
g. 1882 Mr.. Orr made address, In which he said
1t would be consccrated to the God Of Seed time and
| Harvest: and when the building opened on Nav
g. 1884, although he was absent upon business In the
West he wrote that the work had been accomplished
by Courage, Perseverance and Faith, which had
been the watchwords Of the committee Mr. Orr has
been connected with the Arbitration Commission and
the Benefit Assurance society of the Exchange and
with Franklin Edison. II. o. Armour and others Or
| gained the Produce Exchange Gratuty System,
whereby each member pays SO into a fund al the
death Of a fellow member. and which controls over
81 100000
In public affairs Mr.. Orr has always taken lively
interest has freely given Of his time for the public
good. lie acted chairman Of the Committee on
Charity Of the Exchange, which did much TO relieve
distress In 1873 and 1874. lie associated with
| John Blgelow, Daniel Magone and John d. Van Buren,
in the Cannl Commission appointed by Governor
Tden in 1875. and worked for eight months In expos
Ing the Canal Ring frauds, which led TO placing the
| canals Of the State under the care OF the
superintendent Of Public Works. lie was an
intimate friend q ,,as Governor Tden and was
1875. Although Democrat In National affairs, Mr.
Orr has long believed In the divorce Of municipal
affairs nom partisan politics. lilo aided In organizing