Finders Keepers, Volume 14, Number 3, Fall 1997 Page: 98

                                
FINDERS KEEPERS                                           98

DEATHS FI
W-_      -        IORR
Capt. W.A. ORR, formerly      of
Wilmer, Texas, died at his home in
Burleson, Texas, on December 2, 1913.
William Alexander ORR, was born
Nov. 20, 1836 in Green County, Ga. He
moved to the state of Alabama, and lived
there 4 years, thence to Texas 1840 near the
town of Jefferson where he made his home
until the Civil War. At the first call of the
South for troops he entered the army as a
volunteer and served until the surrender. He
engaged in farming near Longview, Upshur
Co. In 1870 he moved to Dallas county
where he continued farming. In 1872 he
united with the Missionary Baptist, and for
many years was clerk of the church at
Wilmer, Texas. In 1882 he was elected
County commissioner of District No. 8,
Dallas, Co., which office he filled for 12
consecutive years, during which time he was
termed "The Red Fox." He was a member
of the 24th Legislature and a champion of
the anti Prize Fight Bill. Also the author of
a special road law for Dallas County and
several other important bills.
He was for many years a stockholder
and director of the Ferris National Bank,
also a charter member of the Farmers and
Merchants State Bank of Ferris, Texas,
holding office of Vice President until Dec. 1,
1909 at which time he moved to Burleson,
Texas and engaged in the lumber and
hardware business.
Bro. ORR had a large influence
among those who knew him best. During his
long term of office in Dallas Co., many of
its important public enterprises were brought
to perfection; including many of its excellent
piked roads, steel bridges and a magnificent
County Court House the corner stone of
which bears his name. Bro. ORR daily lived
a religious life and his home was often the
home of his pastors and other ministers. He
contributed largely and regularly to all
denominational enterprises fostered by the

this brief note knew Bro. ORR well for
period of 30 years and can think of no part
of God's word which more aptly describes
his life and death than a passage which we
have in the 14th chapter of Rev. "Here is
the faith and patience of the Saints, they that
keep the commandments of God and the
testimony of Jesus blessed are the dead who
die in the Lord from henceforth Yea saith
the spirit, they may rest from their labor and
their works follow them."
Bro. ORR is survived by two
brothers, James H. of Hughes Spring and
J.W. of Longview and one sister, Mrs.
Mattie BLACK of Barstow, Texas. In Oct.
1865 Bro. ORR married Miss Matilda
SMART, a daughter of Jeheu SMART a
Tennessean. Three daughters were born to
this union, Lena who married Dr. W.P.
TIMS of Ennis, Texas, Fannie who married
Dr. H.A. BUCHANNAN of Dallas, Texas
and Margaret J. who married W.N.
GEORGE, she being the only survivor.
The funeral services were held at the
Baptist church, Wednesday afternoon at 2
o'clock, conducted by his former pastor,
Rev. T.B. PITTMAN of Grand Prairie,
Texas who took for his text, 1 Peter 2-6;
subject of sermon, Christ, the Precious
Foundation Stone.
The public school dismissed and
marched to the church with the teachers, and
all the stores closed during the service.
Special mention is made of the beautiful
floral offerings.
Interment was made at the Burleson
Cemetery. Owing to the heavy rain all day,
the grave caved in twice, and they had
considerable trouble in trying to keep the
water out. The ladies were not permitted to
go to the cemetery owing to the cold rainy
weather.
In this old veteran passing away,
Burleson loses a man who was in youth,
progressive, and always ready to respond to
every charitable move or any one in distress.
The editor of the News has known
the deceased for over 30 years, and can

Baptist Churches of Texas. The writer of

readily say the above is a fact, and every

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