Notes for John Garrison Alexander Orr




			The Ancestors of D O N N A J O Y J O H N S O N of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Notes for John Garrison Alexander Orr

Service in Confederate Army:
Born in Mecklenburg County where he resided as a farmer prior to enlisting in Mecklenburg County at age 31, March 11, 1862. Mustered in as Private. Promoted to Corporal in May-October, 1862. Wounded near Richmond, Virginia, in June-July, 1862. Returned to duty in January-February, 1863. Wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. Discharged on December 27, 1863, by reason of "two wounds in the chest by shell impairing action of the heart."

Survivors of Company L
At the veterans picnic Thursday, there was a little reunion of considerable interest. It was a meeting of the remnant of Co. I, Thirty Seventh North Carolina Troops, that left Charlotte on September 3, 1861, under Capt. Jack Harrison. Of the original company, seventeen members made up the reunion party at the park Thursday. They were: Lieutenant A. F. Yandle; Sergeant Joe Orr; Private C. M. Orr, and Corporals, J. G. A. Orr, S. G. Orr, J. O. Alexander, G. W. Williamson, T. B. Henry, R. A. Sharp, J. W. Barnhill, ? C. McCall, A. J. Speares, D. L. McCord, J. W. Hunsucker, J. A. Hunsucker, James Manning, James --?--mery (probably Montgomery). [from the collection of Marge Dawson.]

Obituary from "Charlotte Daily Observer," October 16, 1904:

DEATH OF JOHN G. A. ORR

One Of The Best Known Citizens of the County Passes Away at the Age of 74 - Funeral Services Tomorrow Afternoon at Sugar Creek Church - Deceased Had an Honorable Record, Having Served through the Civil War, and Occupied Positions in the Public Service - His Intrepid Courage Often Proven.

Mr. John G. A. Orr, one of the best known citizens of the county, and a very remarkable man, died yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock in his home on the Salisbury road, two and a half miles from Charlotte. He was 74 years old and throughout his busy life he had been identified with Mecklenburg county. The funeral services will take place tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock at the residence and the interment will be at Sugar Creek church, Rev. Mr. Pressley officiating. Death came after a series of severe chills, which began last Tuesday, when he had made an accustomed visit to the city.
Mr. Orr is survived by his widow and three children: Mr. W. S. Orr and Mrs. W. S. Hayes of Charlotte, and Mr. John M. Orr, of Birmingham, Ala. He was born of this county, the oldest of eight children, every one of whom survive him, the youngest being now 54 years old. Entering Company I, Thirty-Seventh North Carolina Regiment, Mr. Orr served throughout the entire war and was twice wounded. No braver man during those dark days, and throughout his whole life, in fact, ever drew breath. After the war, he served as deputy sheriff and jailer under Marshall Alexander and sustained his reputation for integrity and absolute fearlessness. At one time he was attacked by five negro prisoners in the jail, a bucket of water being thrown in his face and a blanket over his head in an attempt to overcome him. He extricated himself single-handed, killed one of the prisoners and drove the rest back into their cells. As constable of Charlotte township he was as good an officer as the county ever had. When the macadam roads of the county were begun he was superintendent of the chain-gang and laid the first rock on the great improved highways of the present system.
Mr. Orr was known and beloved by many, for in his stout heart there was a kindly feeling for his friends. In many instances he showed his unswerving loyalty to them. His intrepid courage was axiomatic. Four out of five of his brothers went into the Confederate service and three of them besides himself were wounded, one being J. L. Orr, sergeant of police.
Telegrams received from Mr. J. M. Orr last night stated that he and his wife and little boy would be here from Birmingham to-morrow morning to attend the last rites. The Mecklenburg Camp of Confederate Veterans will attend in a body.

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