Biography

1786 - 1876

The son of Robert, Sr. and Fannie (Culbertson) Orr, the Hon. Robert Orr was born March 5, 1786, Hannahstown, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.  Moved to Armstrong County with parents, later locating in Kitanning, where he became Armstrong County deputy sheriff in 1805.  Appointed county surveyor, Colonel in the War of 1812, service at Fort Meigs, Upper Sandusky, at Fort Harrison, and the Miami Rapids.  State House of Representatives, 1817-1820; state Senate, 1821-1826; replaced James Allison’s vacant seat in Nineteenth Congress; and was re-elected to Twentieth Congress, 1825-1829.  Rose to the rank of General in the state militia, moved briefly to Orrsville, 1845; resided in Allegheny City, 1848-1852; returned to Kitanning, where he died, May 22, 1876, 90-years-old.  Interred in Kitanning Cemetery.