Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1905-03-01
In conclusion, the writer would give ox-


preston to his own sense of personal
loss in the death of Col. Orr. How
sividly does he recall tho eighteen
months spent u.ider his hospitab,e roc.
as a student in the law; how, as a young
man, he was touched and helped; how,
from that time until the present moment
the advice and wholesome example OF
this great man have been potent help.
We pause for moment to try to realize
how we are stunned by the adverse
stroke, which SO suddenly cut him down
lu the midst of his years and great USE
fulness. Apparently he was at the zenith
Of his Dental and physical powers, being
only SO years of age, and tho personifica-
ton of healthful vigor of mind and body.
Verify, sin the midst of life we are in
DEATH" We can only bow in humble
submission to the will of Him who
doeth all things well, and beseeoh his
comfort and blessing for those sorely
stricken in his domestic circle and
among his kindred and friends.
Sketch OF His Lie.
We make the following extracts from
tho sketch of Col. Orr's life published
by the Greenville News:
Col. James Lawrence Orr was born
August 30, 1859, at the home of mis-
grandfather, DR.. Marshall, in Abbevillc
county. He was the son of James l..
Orr, once Congressman from South
Carolina, Speaker Of the National House
of Representatives aud Governor of
South Carolina. He was reared to man
hood in Anderson county, attending the
schools of that place until l5 years of
age, when he was sent to Kings Noun
tain Academy at Yorkville. He was
graduated in 1860. In the autumn of
1870 Col. Orr entered the University of
Virginia, where he spent two years, de-
voting the first to academic studies and
the second to law. In the autumn of
1872 he entered the law Office of Nc
Gowan q Parker, al Aobeville, and re-
mained with the firm until January,
1878, when he went as private secretary
to his father and as second secretary of
the legation to ST. Petersburg, Russia,
his father being United States minister
to that court.
His father dying in Russia that same
year, Col. Orr returned home and re-
sumed the study of law. He was ad-
mitted to the bar in November, 1873. and
Immediately entered into a partnership
with Judge Reed, of Anderson. In the
autumn of 1874 he was chosen member
of the State Legislature, in which he
served two terms.
Though young man, he was chosen
to lead committee in the capture of the
"Mackey House," as the Republican
Legislature was then called, Mackey be-
ing it's speaker. Col. Orr was six feet
six inches in height, aud as strong physi-
cally as he was mentally. Throwing
4. -, 1s.rI,t .t-o ,vkl,
the locked doors of the hall, he burst in
and brushing the sergeant-at-armsa aside,
he was followed into the chamber by the
members of the "Wallace House," who,
until then had been meeting in the old
| Carolina Hall. Gen. Wade Hampton
was inaugurate Governor and Gen. M.
G. Butler was sent to the United States
Senate. Speaker Wallace named Col.
| Orr on tho committee ou privileges aud
elections and also on the Judiciary com
mittee. He took an active part in recon-
struction affairs and came as near being
popular idol as it was possible for a
young man at that time when the State
was honoring such men as Hampton,
| Butler and host of other brave Con
federate generals
Col Orr declined reelection, aud at
the close of his term resumed the prac-
tice of law, removing to this city in
| 1880. He became at once prominent as a
member of the bar. In 1881 Governor
Hagood appointed him Solicitor of the
Eighth Judicial Circuit, and in 1884 he
was elected to the same office, serving
with great ability for seven and half
years, but declining reelection. At the
Democratic Convention in 1888, Col Orr
was chosen its permanent chairman. He
| served for two years from 1915 as mem
Der of Governor Hampton's staff. This
position conferred upon him the title of
| colonel.
Shortly after coming to Greenville
partnership was formed with G.. G.
Wells tho firm being Wells e Orr, which
ranked among the leading law concerns
Of the State, making corporation and
commercial law speciality. Afterwards
Judge Cothrau and NJ. F. Ansel entared
the firm, and it became Wells, Orr, Goth
ran & Ansel.
Upon the death of Col H. p. Ham
NETT. in 1891. Col Orr became president
of the Piedmont Manufacturing Com
pany, one of the largest and strongest
cotton mills in the country. 1t was in
the textile business that Col. Orr made a
man k in the world that entitled him to a
place among the greatest Ten in the
State-a captain of industry. The tex.
tile business in the South was then in
it's infancy. Since then it has grown and
prospered, and the Piedmont mills have
prospered with it. And no little is due
to the ability and erergy of Col Orr. In
1900 the Orr Mills at Anderson were
established, and he became the president
of the company Col. Orr was frequently
called upon torepresent, with one or two
other leading Southern mill men, the in
dustry whom spokesman was needed
Col. Orr's last appearance in politics
was in 1892, when he was placed, with
great reluctance on his part, on the ticket
with Governor Sheppard, as a candidate
for Lieutenant Governor He was also
spoken of as "A candidate for Governor in
opposition To Tillmau, but refused. pre-