William Alexander Orr
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William Alexander Orr | |
|---|---|
 Orr between 1895 and 1897 | |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 73rd district | |
| In office January 8, 1895 – January 12, 1897 | |
| Succeeded by | J. F. Reiger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 20, 1836 Greene County, Georgia, US |
| Died | December 2, 1913 (aged 77) Ferris, Texas, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Nickname | "The Red Fox" |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Confederate States Army |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
William "The Red Fox" Alexander Orr (November 20, 1836 – December 2, 1913) is an American politician.
Biography
[edit]Orr was born on November 20, 1836, in Greene County, Georgia. His parents were William Gillespie and Jane M. Orr (née Harris), and he had five brothers and four sisters. His family moved to Alabama, eventually settling near Jefferson, Texas. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A slaveowner, he was enlisted to the 9th Texas Cavalry Regiment during the American Civil War, achieving the rank of second lieutenant. In 1865, he married Caroline Matilda Smart, having 3 children together.[1]
After the war, he farmed in Longview. He later moved near Lancaster, eventually living near Wilmer. From 1882 to 1894, he served as commissioner of Dallas County. A Democrat, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives from the 73rd district, serving from January 8, 1895, to January 12, 1897.[2] While serving, he introduced eight bills, only one bill—the "Orr road law"—passed. After losing the election, his family moved to Ferris to farm. He then moved to Burleson in 1909, dying there on December 2, 1913, aged 77.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Association, Texas State Historical. "Orr, William Alexander". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
- ^ "Legislative Reference Library | Legislators and Leaders | Member profile". lrl.texas.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-07.