Member Biography

Robert Orr Jr.

Member
Sessions Office Position District Party
1822-1823       24 Democrat
1823-1824       24 Democrat
1824-1825       24 Democrat

Biography

03/05/1786 - 05/22/1876


Brigadier General Robert Orr, Jr. (D24) Armstrong, Cambria, Indiana, Jefferson, Venango and Warren Counties 1822-1825

Early Life:

Brigadier General Robert Orr, Jr., born March 5, 1786, Hannastown, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania; son of Hugh Orr; public school education, Westmoreland County, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania; moved to Kittanning; elected, Deputy Sheriff for Armstrong County, 1805; studied surveying, appointed deputy district surveyor; colonel, War of 1812, service at Fort Meigs, Upper Sandusky, Fort Harrison, Miami Rapids;  elected, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1818–1821; elected, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1822- resigned 1825; appointed, Jacksonian, United States House of Representatives, Nineteenth Congress, re-elected, Jacksonian, United States House of Representatives, Twentieth Congress, 1825-1829; retained his interest in military affairs, acquiring the rank and title, Brigadier General, Pennsylvania State Militia; moved, Orrsville, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 1845-1848, Allegheny City, 1848-1852, finally returned, Kitanning; died, May 22, 1876 (aged 90), Kittanning, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania; Kittanning Cemetery, Kittanning, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Deputy Sheriff for Armstrong County, 1805.

Elected, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1818–1821.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 24th district, Armstrong, Cambria, Indiana, Jefferson, Venango and Warren Counties, 1822- resigned 1825.

Appointed, Jacksonian, United States House of Representatives, 16th district, Nineteenth Congress, vacancy, resignation, James Allison Jr., re-elected, Jacksonian, United States House of Representatives, Twentieth Congress, 1825-1829.

Pennsylvania State House of Representatives Biography:

Not currently available. 

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members O"Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

A New Nation Votes (tufts.edu)

Robert Orr Jr. (1786-1876) - Find a Grave Memorial

Congressional Biography

After 3 session(s) serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Robert Orr Jr. went on to serve in congress