William Alexander Orr

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Biographical Sketches

• Obituary, "Capt. W.A. Orr Passes Away: Former Dallas County Commissioner Dies at Burleson," 12/3/1913, p. 18. "Capt. Orr moved here [Burleson, Texas] from Dallas County five years ago." Dallas Morning News.
• ORR, WILLIAM ALEXANDER (1836–1913). Handbook of Texas Online.
• Obituary, "Death of W.A. Orr," Johnson County Genealogical Society, Finders Keepers, Fall 1997, pp. 98-99, crediting Johnson County Genealogical Society. William Alexander Orr, birth date 11/20/1836 in Green County, Georgia, death date 12/2/1913 in Burleson, Texas. "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." Portal to Texas History (University of North Texas Libraries).

Military Service Notes

• Confederate States Army, Mike Farley's company roll at Jefferson, and 2nd Lieutenant, Company F, 9th Texas Regiment; description of military service. Biographical sketch, Captain William A. Orr of Ferris, Volume II, pp. 250-252. "At the conclusion of this long and honorable public service Captain Orr was sent to the legislature to champion the anti prize-fight bill, which passed both houses and became a law . . . Soon after retiring from the commissionership Captain Orr was nominated as a legislative representative from Dallas county, and had the honor of being one of the one hundred and forty-four members which passed the measure abolishing prize-fighting in Texas." Father William G. Orr, mother Jane M. [Harris] Orr; marriage to Miss Matilda Smart in October 1865; Dallas County Commissioner from 1882-1894. A History of Greater Dallas and Vicinity, 1909.

Other Resources

• "Captain W.A. Orr of Wilmer, who served in the lower branch of the twenty-fourth legislature, announces for re-election to that office subject to the democratic primary." "Candidate for Representative," 4/19/1896, p. 24. Author of Orr road law, served in Gen. Sul Ross' brigade in the Civil War. Dallas Morning News.

Photographs

• Photograph. W.A. Orr, 24th Legislature, State Preservation Board

Composite Photographs on Display in the Capitol

• 24th session composite photo of House members (House chamber gallery, east wall. 3W.2). State Preservation Board.
• 24th session composite photo of House members by Hill (Texas State Library and Archives Commission). Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

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