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The
Orr Family
Ancestry
Chart
Agnes Littlewood's parents were Samuel Littlewood and Mary Ann Hadden. Samuel Orr's father was John Orr (no other information) and his mother is unknown at this time. John Orr and his wife had at least three children: David Orr (born about 1811 in Ireland), Samuel Orr (born about 1816 in Ireland) and Sarah Orr (born about 1816 in Ireland). Samuel Orr and Agnes Littlewood were probably married in Ireland sometime before 1840. They had eight children: Thomas Orr (born 1838), Samuel Orr (born February 15, 1842), Margaret Orr (born May 2, 1846), Mary Jane (born 1849), William (born after 1851), Agnes (born June 24, 1853), Elizabeth (born April 8, 1856), and David (born June 24, 1860).
David died from "chin cough" or whooping cough. Plains has its origins in the growth of the mining industry. The men of Whiterigg, Meadowhead, Ballochney, Arden and Stanrigg all working in the pits... In the early 1860's the population of Plains was just over 200 people. The town grew in tandem with the area's mining industry. Flax was grown on many local farms and the town became a well-established centre of woollen and linen fabrics. The population of the town continued to grow from 2,745 in 1801 to 4,860 in 1821 which was the year Airdrie was created an Independent Burgh. The expansion of the coal and iron industries led to a demand for machinery and tools and Airdrie became important for engineering works and the population climbed to 13,488 in 1871... The growth in population was not due to high birthrate, but instead due to an influx of residents from the Highlands and predominantly Ireland. This followed the potato famine of the mid 1840s and also reflected the change from cottage industry to heavy industry in the area. Most of the Irish immigrant population were involved with mining and labouring. This led to an increase in ironwork foundries around the area. Because of this explosion in industry, railway links were soon established (circa 1830) and by 1862, the Airdrie and Bathgate Junction Railway provided a direct link to Edinburgh with Airdrie South Station providing the starting point for trains to Glasgow. From http://www.monklands.co.uk/airdrie/index.htm
1841 Scotland Census - Robertson's Town, Clarkston, Lanarkshire
There is a Thomas McGowan listed on the 1815-1819 Freeholders Record for Ballylean, Ireland, along with Samuel Littlewood. That Thomas McGowan may be the father of this Thomas McGowan. David, Jane, Thomas, James, Robert and Nancy were all born in Ireland, as were Thomas McGowan and Sarah Orr McGowan and 4 year old Thomas Orr. It would appear that the Orrs emigrated from Ireland about 1840.
Mobbing and Rioting At Airdrie John Harper, collier, James Rice, collier, William Graham, miner or collier, William Herbertson and Hugh Herbertson, miners or colliers, and John Overin, were charged with the crimes of mobbing and rioting for the purpose of obstructing and deforcing officers of the law in the execution of their duty, in having, on the night of Thursday 22nd of September last, assembled opposite the house of Frederick Cowperthwaite, innkeeper, Stirling Street, Airdrie, in which was William Brown, messenger-at-arms, having in custody five of the workmen at Ballochray Colliery, for the purpose of riotously and tumultuously rescuing, by the aid of the mob then and there assembled, the said prisoners, from. the hands of the said William Brown, and in having in a riotous and tumultuous manner, and in breach of the peace, invaded the said house, and with large stones and other heavy missiles, and with a log of wood, destroyed the door and windows of the house, and demolished and destroyed, or taken away, in a lawless, theftuous, and masterful manner, great part of the furniture, and large quantities of spirits, wines, &c., which belonged to the said Frederick Cowperthwaite, and with having attempted to set fire to the said house, by throwing large quantities of hay, straw, and other combustibles into the passage of the house, for the purpose of igniting the same; by all which riotous conduct, continued for the space of three hours, the said mob succeeded in liberating the prisoners from the custody of the said William Brown and his assistants—the prisoners being all and each of them actively engaged aiding and abetting the said mob in these unlawful acts. All the prisoners pleaded Not Guilty. The diet against Hugh Herbertson was deserted in the meantime, owing to the absence of a witness. Mr Montgomery, for the prisoners, objected to the expression theftuouslv in the indictment, which neither stated nor contemplated a charge of theft. The Lord Advocate not objecting to this, the word was omitted. A great number of witnesses were examined by the Crown. It was clearly proved that a most serious riot and destruction of property took place on the occasion libelled; and certain prisoners, who were miners, and in the custody of the police, were forcibly liberated by the mob. Exculpatory witnesses were examined at length, on the part of William Herbertson, by Mr Shand. Counsel on both sides having addressed the jury, the Lord Justice-Clerk summed up the evidence ; and the jury, after retiring for a quarter of an hour, returned a verdict of guilty against all the prisoners, recommending Graham and Herbertson to the leniency of the court. Sentence – Harper, Rice, and Overin transportation for seven years, Graham and Herbertson imprisonment for fifteen months. The prisoners were then removed from the bar. Counsel for Harper and Rice, Mr M'Duff Rhind. For Graham and Overin, Mr J. M. Montgomery. G. Cotton, S.S.C., agent. For Wm. Herbertson, Mr Charles Shand, J. Marshall, S.S.C., agent. [Scotsman 23 November 1842]
A topographical dictionary
of Scotland Samuel Lewis, 1846 Airdrie, a burgh and market-town, in the parish of New, or East Monkland, Middle ward of the county of Lanark, 32 1/2 miles (W. by S.) from Edinburgh; containing 12,418 inhabitants, and comprising the late quoad sacra parishes of High Church, and East, South, and West Airdrie, in which are respectively 1983, 2556, 4666, and 3213 persons. This place, which is comparatively of recent origin, is advantageously situated on the road from Glasgow to Edinburgh, and appears to have been indebted for its rise to the numerous mines of coal and ironstone with which the parish and adjoining district abound, and which, within the last half century, have been wrought with increased assiduity and profit. Its situation within a moderate distance of the capital and other principal towns, with which it has facility of intercourse, by means of the Monkland canal, and good turnpike-roads, has rendered it important as a place of trade, and as the residence of numerous persons engaged in collieries and mines; and it is rapidly increasing in population and prosperity. The town is regularly built; the houses are of neat appearance, and the streets are well paved, lighted with gas, and watched, under the provisions of an act of 1 and 2 Geo. IV. A theatre, likewise, is supported by the inhabitants. The principal trade carried on in the town, is that of weaving, in which many persons are employed; and a large cotton factory has been recently established, which affords constant occupation to a large number, in spinning, carding, and other branches of the manufacture. There are a tan-work, brewery, and extensive distillery. The Monkland canal, passing by the town, affords ready communication with Glasgow, to which place coal is likewise forwarded by the Ballochney railroad, which joins those of Kirkintilloch and Garnkirk; and great quantities of coal and mineral produce are also conveyed to the Clyde and Forth canal, whence they are forwarded, eastward to Edinburgh, and westward to Greenock. The market, which is well supplied, and numerously attended, is on Thursday; and fairs, chiefly for cattle, are held generally about the end of May and the middle of November. The town was erected into a burgh of barony by act of the 1st and 2nd of Geo. IV., by which the government was vested in a provost, three bailies, a treasurer, and seven councillors, assisted by a town-clerk and other officers. The provost and bailies are elected from the council, by a majority of the burgesses and other inhabitants possessing the elective franchise; the former, with two of the bailies, annually, the third bailie retaining office for two years. The town-clerk is chosen annually, by the proprietor of the Rochsolloch estate, but is subject to the controul of the magistrates and council; and the provost and bailies are justices of the peace within the burgh, in which, however, the county magistrates have concurrent jurisdiction. The bailies hold courts monthly, for the recovery of debts under 40s. The burgh unites with those of Lanark, Hamilton, Falkirk, and Linlithgow, in returning one member to the imperial parliament; the right of election is vested in the resident burgesses and £10 householders, and the provost is the returning officer. The town-hall, recently erected, is a neat edifice, comprising also a police office, and a small prison for the temporary confinement of offenders previously to their committal by the county magistrates. There is also a public building called the Masons' Hall, which is connected with the trade of the town. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the controul of the presbytery of Hamilton and synod of Glasgow and Ayr: the parochial church of East Airdrie, which contains 631 sittings, was erected, as a chapel of ease, in 1797; and a new church for West Airdrie, having 1200 sittings, was built by subscription, in 1835, at a cost of £2370. The stipend of the minister of the former is £120, derived solely from seat-rents; and that of the minister of the latter, £105, derived from seat-rents and collections. There are also two places of worship for South Airdrie and High Church, a town school, and meeting-houses for members of the Free Church, Independents, Roman Catholics, the United Secession, and other congregations.
In the 1851 Census, Samuel Orr and Agnes Littlewood were living at Colliertree, New Monkland, Lanarkshire, on the outskirts of Airdrie, with their four children and a James Reid. Samuel Orr Sr.'s occupation was listed as "Coal Miner". Samuel Littlewood, his son Joseph and his wife Ann and their son Samuel were living at 55 Clark Street in Airdrie. Samuel Littlewood's occupation was transcribed as "Said to Law Weaver". 1851 Scotland Census - Airdrie, New
Monkland
17 March 1853 Culpable Homicide - Robert Scott, a pitheadman at Rawyards, New Monkland, was charged with having, on the 17th March last, at No. 3 Pit, at Airdriehill, wickedly and feloniously attacked and assaulted the now deceased Michael Bamrick; and did, with a hammer, strike him one or more blows about the head, and did otherwise maltreat and abuse him so that his skull was fractured, in consequence of which the said Michael Bamrick died on the 18th day of April thereafter. Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and the case went to trial. Mr. Moncrieff appeared for the defence. From the evidence it appeared that on the day libelled, in consequence of a previous difference, a number of men had gone to the pit in question, followed by a crowd from the contiguous village of Whiterigg, and quarrelled with the coal trimmers employed at the pithead, and a fight ensued between several of the opposing parties, in which the Whiterigg men were seen to use a shovel, a bar of iron, and to throw missiles. Scott, the pitheadman, interfered to stop the fight, and forcibly took one of the pitheadmen who was under his charge out of the melee. The Whiterigg men then attacked Scott, and one of them struck him on the back of the head with the flat portion of a shovel, and three men were in the act of following him up to renew the assault, when Scott seized a hammer that lay within his reach on the boiler scat, and, the men having closed in on him, he struck one of them named Michael Bamrick on the head with the hammer, inflicting the injury which caused his death. The trial occupied five hours; after which the Advocate-Depute spoke at considerable length, asking for a conviction. Sir. Moncrieff followed in a very brilliant defence, claiming an acquittal. Lord Ivory then reviewed the evidence with an elucidation in favour of the prisoner, who had always borne an unblemished character. The jury retired for a short time, and returned into Court with a verdict finding the prisoner not guilty, by a large majority, and he was dismissed from the bar. [Glasgow Herald (Glasgow, Scotland), Friday, September 29, 1854]
Thomas Orr married Isabella Adams (b. 1841, in Scotland, d. May 31, 1904, in Belt, Montana) February 3, 1860, in the West Manse Airdrie Free Church. They had at least six children: Margaret (born April 28, 1874, in Whiterigg, New Monkland); Thomas (born Feb 4, 1870, in Airdrie); Jeanne (born 1871 in Airdrie); William A. (born Feb 2, 1872, in Airdrie); Elizabeth Lizzie (born Oct 31, 1876, in Airdrie); and Samuel (born Feb, 1880, in Airdrie and died June 18, 1952, in Belt, Montana). - Glenda Waugh
In the 1861 Census, both Samuel Orr, Sr. and Samuel Orr, Jr. (18) were listed as "Miner" and the family was living at 17 Johnston St., Airdrie, New Monkland, Lanarkshire. 1861 Scotland Census -
Airdrie, New Monkland
David died from "chin cough" or whooping cough on Dec 9, 1861.
Samuel Orr, Sr. died on October 29, 1866, at 40 Johnston St, Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
Margaret Orr (steam loom weaver) married Samuel Bell (coal miner) (b. July 11, 1844, in Ireland, died 1902 in Gallatin County, Montana) on June 17, 1867, in Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
1871 Scotland Census -
Plains, New Monkland
Agnes Orr (power loom weaver) married David McKee (iron miner) on Oct 9, 1874, at Clarkston Manse near Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
Agnes Littlewood Orr was living with her daughter Agnes Orr McKee and her family. 1881 Scotland Census -
Plains, New Monkland
David McKee's occupation is listed as
Iron Stone Miner. 1881 Scotland Census -
16 Airdriehill Sq., New Monkland
Agnes Littlewood died on April 2, 1882, in Plains, Lanarkshire, at the age of 61. Agnes Orr McKee and David McKee emigrated to the United States of America (from 1900 US Census) and eventually settled in Montana.
1891 Scotland
Census - Airdrie, New Monkland
Thomas Orr and Isabella Adams and their family, Samuel Orr and Elizabeth McCall and their family and Margaret Orr emigrated from Scotland to the United States of America and settled in Montana.
David Orr (son of Samuel Orr) died on Oct 5, 1897, in Belt. His uncle, Thomas Orr (b. 1837) died Nov 25, 1897 (MI), in Belt, Montana, at the age of 60. Thomas Orr's wife, Isabella Adams, died on May 31, 1904, in Belt (MI).
1900 United
States Federal Census - Chestnut, Gallantin County, Montana
Samuel McKee and
his older brother David will be a pallbearers for
David McKee died sometime in 1904.
Margaret Orr Bell died sometime in 1908 in Gallatin County, Montana.
Agnes Orr McKee died sometime in 1911 in Bozeman, Gallatin County, Montana, at the age of 58.
Elizabeth "Betsy" McCall's parents were Thomas McCall (Hand Loom Weaver) and Christina Dunn. Christina Dunn McCall may have died January 28, 1848, in Ochiltree, Ayr (no additional information available). Elizabeth McCall and Samuel Orr were married on June 4, 1868, in Free West Manse, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland. They had six children: Samuel Orr McCall (born July 9, 1867, in New Monkland), Christina Orr (born June 11, 1869, in Dalry, Ayrshire), Agnes Orr (born October 3, 1871, in Plains), Thomas Orr (born December 11, 1873), David Orr (born November 21, 1875) and James Orr (born Dec 23, 1878).
* Glenda Waugh
In the 1871 Scotland Census, Samuel Orr, Jr. was living at 25 Black Street, Airdrie, New Monkland, Lanarkshire, with his wife Elizabeth McCall and their two children Samuel (3) and Christina (2) and Samuel's occupation was "Coal Miner". 1871 Scotland Census - Airdrie, New Monkland
In the 1881 Scotland Census Samuel Orr and his family were living at 7 Airdriehill Square, New Monkland Landward, Lanarkshire. Both he and his 14 year old son were listed as "Coal Miner".
1881
Scotland Census - New Monkland
1881 Distribution of Surname Orr
Samuel McCall Orr married Hannah Orr on Sept 26, 1890, in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland.
In the 1891 Scotland Census (April 5-6) the Orr's were living in Linlithgow, West Lothian. Samuel Orr's occupation is listed as Shale Miner. Also living in Linlithgow at the time was William Waugh and his family. William was an Oil Labourer and his son John was also a Shale Miner. 1891 Scotland Census - Linlithgow, West Lothian
Thomas Orr and Isabella Adams and their family, Samuel Orr and Elizabeth McCall and their family and Margaret Orr emigrated from Scotland to the United States of America and settled in Montana.
The Orr's emigrated to the United States sometime after April 6, 1891 and before August 8, 1892. Samuel Orr signed a "Declaration of Intention" to become a citizen of the United States of America on August 8, 1892. They lived in the coal mining towns of Timberline and Chestnut, Montana, situated in Gallatin County between Livingston and Bozeman. Their daughter Christina gave birth to Elizabeth McCall Waugh on September 29, 1892, in Belt, Cascade County, Montana. John Waugh emigrated to Belt, Montana, in December, 1892. Christina Orr married John Waugh in Timberline on March 3, 1893 (see Waugh Family). Agnes and Thomas Orr signed as witnesses on their Certificate of Marriage. Christina and John were living in Belt, Montana, from 1892 until they moved to Nanaimo, British Columbia, around 1899.
Timberline had a post office from January 19, 1885 to April 22, 1898, then the mail went to Chestnut. Timberline is on the hill called the Bozeman Pass. Coal was used to make coke, which was used in the smelting of the copper from the world's largest copper mine in Butte. Some of it was used by the Northern Pacific Railroad for their steam engines. The copper and gold mining operations used up so much timber to reinforce the mine walls that firewood became scarce, so residents also bought coal to heat their homes. Timberline had a school and even had a Silver Cornet Band which toured the state, giving concerts. It says, "Timberline once supported a population of three hundred families. Miners came from England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Denmark. A few Chinese immigrants cooked at the boardinghouses. Miners from Montenegro achieved local notoriety for their famous pork and beer parties." - From http://emrld-isle.com/timberline_1885_.html
Agnes Orr married Henry McIntosh Rae on July 1, 1896, in Timberline, Gallatin County, Montana.
Thomas Orr married Isabell Taylor (April 24, 1877 - May 2, 1920) on Dec 24, 1896. They had three children: Thomas (born 1899); Jennet (born 1901, died after 1992); and Edith (born Aug 3, 1902, in Extension, B.C., died Aug 5, 1992, in Flathead, Montana). Jennet Orr married Frank Beaver (born 1888, in Iowa).
Extension, B.C.... The growing importance of the coal industry at Nanaimo incited others to search for coal, among them the late Hon. Robert Dunsmuir, who discovered extensive deposits at Comox and Wellington. The Wellington mines were discovered in 1869 and were worked successfully for many years, being finally abandoned in 1900 for the more promising measures at South Wellington and Extension. The Extension mine was only opened in 1898, but development has been so rapid that already the output aggregates 2,000 tons per day, and this, through the admirable plan of working, may be easily doubled at any time. Diamond drill borings demonstrate the fact that there is coal enough to supply 2,000 tons a day for 100 years. At present three inclines are being sunk at different points, all converging to a main tunnel, which now pierces the earth for over a mile, and which will eventually be the main highway of the mine. The Extension mines are eight miles from the new town of Ladysmith, a splendid harbor on Oyster Bay, where the Wellington Colliery Company (which owns and operates these mines, as well as those at Alexandria and Comox) has bunkers and wharves that will accommodate and load five of the largest steamships at one time. The Alexandria mine, which is also close to Ladysmith, is producing about 800 tons a day and is being systematically developed. - from Coal Mining on Vancouver Island
Thomas Orr (born in 1837) and David's uncle, died on Nov 25, 1897, in Belt, Montana.
1900 United
States Federal Census - Joliet, Carbon, Montana
1901 Canada Census - Nanaimo, British Columbia In 1901, it appears as though Samuel
Orr was visiting Nanaimo, B.C. and working as a coal miner.
His wife, Elizabeth (Betsy McCall) Orr was living with her son James (22) and her granddaughter Agnes Waugh (daughter of John Waugh and Christina Orr) was in the household at the time of the census. The Immigration Year is also 1899.
Samuel Orr, Jr. may have been living in Vancouver, B.C. at this time. Elizabeth McCall also lived in Washoe, Montana, with her sister Agnes Orr Rae (Betsy was buried in the cemetery in the nearby town of Bearcreek upon her death February 15, 1922).
"Rush to Buy Coal Lands, Corporations and Capitalists All Over the Country Making the Investment." - New York Times, Aug 24, 1902
On the coal train through Montana's mining history: Bearcreek case study: The history of Montana's coal industry is so tightly linked to
the development of Montana's railroads it raises the classic
chicken-and-egg question of which came first.
Montana's coal mining history records settle the debate on
the side of the railroads, and the Bearcreek mines are a
prime example.
Indeed, Montana's coal and rail industries were so entwined
one could not prosper without the other. Though high-quality
coal was discovered in Bearcreek in 1866, there was no
market opportunity for the coal, and the vast high-grade
resources were left untouched But with the construction of
the Montana, Wyoming and Southern (MW&S) rail line, the region's
high-quality coal would now have a commercial outlet. Bearcreek's
coal mining industry quickly burgeoned. By 1907, Bearcreek had four
mines operating in full force. From http://www.montanacoalhistory.com/john-baugues-jr.html See more on the Bearcreek Coal Reserves at http://helenair.com/news/local/state-and-regional/article_f07763d4-2365-11df-a791-001cc4c002e0.html The Montana Coal and Iron Co. was incorporated on November 27, 1889, by Elijah Smith, Prosper W. Smith, Edward J. Berwind, John E. Berwind, Elias L. Frank, Ansley S. Davis, and John S. Tilney. The purposes of the company were far reaching, including buying and developing coal lands, marble quarries, iron and other minerals, oil wells, timber lands, saw mills, water power, real estate and other properties, and to build associated roads and railroads. The incorporators capitalized at $2,000,000. Offices were in both Billings, Montana, and New York City. For the next twenty years, the history of the company is unclear. The Smith brothers began acquiring land and issuing stock and promissory notes in payment. Relationship of these two methods of payment was not clearly defined. Little coal was produced. The company kept very poor records of its transactions. In 1907, shortly after the building of the Yellowstone Park Railroad (later renamed the Montana, Wyoming and Southern) to Washoe, mining at Washoe began on a regular basis. In 1911, with Elijah Smith's health failing, an attempt was made to gain control of the affairs of the company. The accounting firm Pogson, Peloubet and Co. did a massive audit of the company's finances. In 1912 a mortgage replaced all of the outstanding indebtedness. From http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/findaid/ark:/80444/xv35327
From a newspaper article from the Anaconda Standard, Bozeman, Montana, regarding the death of Samuel Orr, Sr. of Pulmonary edema (miners lungs) on May 25, 1909, . * Note: there is a slight discrepancy regarding his age as he was 66 years old at the time of his death. Death Of Samuel Orr Samuel Orr died last Tuesday at his home in Chestnut after a short illness. He was 76* years old at the time of his death and was well known in the valley where he has had a large number of friendly acquaintances for many years. Mr. Orr came to Timberline about 18 years ago and will be remembered by many of the old timers as the drum major of the Timberline band. For the past 5 years he has been making his home in Chestnut where two of his sons reside. He leaves to mourn his loss a wife and three sons and two daughters. The sons are Samuel Orr of Vancouver Island, B.C. and Thos. and James Orr of Chestnut and the daughters are Mrs. Rae of Sockett and Mrs. Waugh of Vancouver Island, B.C. Mrs. McKee of Red Lodge is a sister of the deceased. The funeral is to be held from the undertaking parlors of Davis and Morris this afternoon at 5:30 o'clock. Rev. Dr. Ross will officiate. Internment will be made in the Bozeman cemetery. Mrs. Rae of Sockett is Agnes Orr Rae and Mrs. Waugh of Vancouver Island is Christina Orr Waugh. Samuel Orr is buried in the Bozeman Cemetery, Bozeman, Montana, Old Section Blk O, Lot 114, # 143
1910 United
States Federal Census - Stockett, Cascade, Montana
The Great War, 1914-1918
Samuel Orr, Jr, of Vancouver, Canada, served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.) 231st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada from 1916-1919. The 231st Battalion, which was authorized on 15 July 1916 as the '231st "Overseas" Battalion, CEF, embarked for Great Britain on 11 April 1917. On 22 April 1917, its personnel were absorbed by the '24th Reserve Battalion, CEF to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. The battalion was disbanded on 11 April 1918.
The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - ""Ypres, 1915, '17, Festubert, 1915, Somme, 1916, Ancre Heights, Ancre, 1916, Arras, 1917, '18, Vimy, 1917, Passchendaele, Amiens, Scarpe, 1918, Drocourt-Queant, Hindenburg Line, Canal du Nord, Valenciennes, Sambre, FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1915-18" (G.O. No. 5 of 1930) Photographs of the Battle for Vimy Ridge, 1917
"Canadian Corps 06:45 - Hostilities will cease at 11:00 hours on November 11th - Troops will stand fast on the line reached at that time which will be reported to Corps Headquarters - Strictest precautions will be maintained - There will be no intercourse of any kind with the enemy - further instructions follow - Fourth Canadian Division..." James Orr died at Washoe, Carbon County, Montana, sometime in 1918, of influenza. - The 1918-1919 Influenza Pandemic - No one knows exactly how many people died during the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic. During the 1920s, researchers estimated that 21.5 million people died as a result of the 1918-1919 pandemic. More recent estimates have estimated global mortality from the 1918-1919 pandemic at anywhere between 30 and 50 million. An estimated 675,000 Americans were among the dead. From http://1918.pandemicflu.gov/the_pandemic/index.htm Montana was slow to report the presence of influenza. This was not surprising. Many states, especially rural ones had difficulties assembling staff and getting them to report diseases even before the 1918-1919 pandemic. On October 4th, state officials sent their first official report to the Public Health Service. The report noted that “the disease is epidemic in Sheridan and Fergus Counties. Cases have been reported from other counties. Although state officials were required to provide follow-up reports to the Public Health Service after their initial report, Montana failed to do so. This failure may indicate that officials were overcome by the epidemic. By late October, however, state officials finally sent a follow-up report to the PHS. Admitting that their records “are…very incomplete,” officials said that there were over 3,500 cases of influenza among the state’s white population. On Tongue Indian Reservation, the situation was especially severe, with over a thousand cases and thirty-nine deaths. Throughout early November, state officials noted glumly that the disease was increasing. During the pandemic, people in Butte turned to the herbal remedies of a Chinese physician, Dr. Huie Pock, and his remedies were credited with saving people’s lives. The situation in Butte, a raucous mining town, was such that even the saloons were closed on October 22nd. In Chocteau, the pandemic closed the schools for four weeks. In an oral history done for the Montana Historical Society, Loretta Jarussi of Bearcreek, Montana, described how people would pass through her tiny town seemingly healthy, only to be reported dead two days later. Looking back on the pandemic, Jarussi said “People would come along, and...they’d stop and say hello to us. My mother was very friendly. She loved to see those people. She was kind of lonesome there, you know, just us kids and her. So when anybody passed by, she always stayed with them. And, you know, maybe a week later, they’d say so-and-so died, and they had been past our place. So many people had that flu, and young people, and they died. And, you know, my father contracted that flu, and everybody in the family had it except my mother. And he was in and out of the hospital. He had a shoe shop in Columbus at that time, and he was in and out of the hospital, and he’d go to the hospital and they’d tell him, “There’s nothing wrong with you,” and he’d go. And then he’d come back to the hospital. He just didn’t feel right. He went through that for a number of times. And he finally decided he was going to go to Thermopolis to the springs. He thought going there would help him. And just before he was leaving, he went to the doctor. Dr. Gardner was the doctor at that time, his doctor. And he said, “Dr. Gardner, I’m going to try and go to the springs and see if that helps me.” And he said, “Well, Louie, it might help you.” So while he was there, Dr. Gardner’s son, who also was a doctor, happened to be in there, and he had been in the Army, an Army doctor, and was home on leave, I think. He said, “Dad, if you let that man go to the springs, he’ll come home in a box.” And he said, “Well, what would you suggest?” And he said, “I’ll tell you what we did in the Army,” and it seemed to work. They had a powerful medicine. I don’t know what it was. But he said, “We gave them doses of this medicine, and that seemed to help.” So he gave him this prescription and told him to get it filled, and he said, “Now it’s going to be pretty rough on you. You be sure to tell your wife to use a lot of blankets, wool blankets on you, and as you perspire, to change those blankets and keep you real warm.” So dad went home and told mom, and mom said, “Okay. Let’s get things going.” And he took a dose of medicine, and it seemed to help a little bit. Then time for a second dose. That also seemed to help. Then he had the third dose, and at that time he thought he was going to die. And he called all the kids around the bed and said, “This is for you, and you’re supposed to do this, and this is yours,” and then he kind of went into—I don’t know—a sleep, a coma. A sleep, a deep sleep. And mama thought, she really did, he had died, but he came out of it, and he felt better. But it took two years to get over that.” Jarussi’s experience was repeated across the state throughout the fall and winter. The disease tapered off slightly after November but influenza continued to be pervasive throughout the state during much of the winter and spring of 1919.
Isabell Taylor (wife of Thomas Orr) died on May 2, 1920, at the age of 43.
1920 United
States Federal Census - Township 8, Carbon, Montana
Elizabeth "Betsy" McCall died on February 15, 1922, in Washoe, Montana. She was 77 years old. The Picket Journal, Red Lodge, Montana, February 22, 1922, regarding the death of Elizabeth (Betsy) McCall: Beloved Washoe Woman Passes to Great Beyond With the passing late Wednesday of Mrs. Samuel Orr, Sr., at Washoe, that community lost one of it's most beloved residents. Born eighty years ago in Scotland, she has lived about 30 years in the United States and the past seven at Washoe at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry Rae (ed. Agnes). Funeral services were held Sunday at the Rae home at Washoe, the service being in charge of Rev. J. Varner of the Washoe Community church. Surviving children are Mrs. Henry Rae of Washoe, Mrs. John Waugh of Vancouver, B.C., Samuel Orr, Jr., of Vancouver, and Philip (ed. Thomas?) Orr of Roundup. She had 25 grandchildren and 6 great-grand-children. Card of Thanks We wish to thank all our friends and neighbors who came to us with sympathy in our recent bereavement in the death of our beloved mother. Also for the beautiful floral offerings.
- Mr. Thomas Orr
1930 United
States Federal Census - Musselshell, Montana
1930 United
States Federal Census - Gebo, Hot Springs, Wyoming
Samuel Orr, Jr. From an article in the Vancouver Sun, May, 1932, regarding the death of Samuel Orr, Jr. on April 30, 1932: Samuel Orr Resident of Vancouver twenty-nine years, Samuel Orr, aged 64, died on Saturday at his home, 1503 Venables street, following a short illness. The deceased served overseas with Regiment 231 Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. He was a well known member of the Vancouver branch of the Seaforth Association. He was a native of Scotland. Besides his wife he is survived by four sons and four daughters. Remains are resting at the Chapel of the Mount Pleasant Undertaking Company. Funeral arrangements will be announced following the arrival of relatives from the United States.
Agnes Orr Rae died on Nov 2, 1933, in Gebo, Hot Springs County, Wyoming.
Hannah Orr (wife of Samuel Orr, Jr.) died on Nov 11, 1936, in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery and Crematorium.
Henry McIntosh Rae died on Feb 25, 1937, in Gebo, Hot Springs County, Wyoming.
Thomas Orr From a newspaper article (Billings newspaper?) soon after the death of Thomas Orr on January 19, 1941: Billings Man Dies of Tuberculosis Thomas Orr, 67, a resident of Billings since 1937, died Sunday at 5:45 a. m. of tuberculosis at his home , 501 Avenue F. He had been ill several months. Orr was born Dec 11, 1873, in Plains, Scotland, and came to the United States, with his father in 1890 (ed. or 1892?), settling at Timberline, west of Livingston. He married Isabelle Taylor at Timberline Dec. 24, 1896. Orr worked in mines at Storrs, Trail Creek and Chestnut in Park County, at Carbonado in Carbon County, at Belt and at Klein in 1920. Surviving are two daughters, Edith Orr of Billings and Mrs. Frank Beaver of Kalispell, and a son David of Roundup. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p. m. at Settergren's chapel with the Rev. George S. Sloan of the First Congregational church officiating. Burial will be in the Bozeman cemetery Wednesday. Funeral Conducted for Former Miner at Chapel Funeral services for Thomas Orr, 67, were conducted Tuesday at Settergren's chapel with the Re. Charles Murray, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, in charge. Hobart Brunsvold, accompanied by Richard Satorius, sang "Crossing the Bar" and "Abide With Me". Pallbearers were Benjamin Elliott, C. A. Gullard, Herman Kuhl, David McKee, Sam McKee, and Jack Wheaton. Burial will be in Bozeman cemetery Wednesday. Orr, a former miner in Carbon and Park counties, died Sunday at his home, 501 Avenue F. Surviving are two daughters and a son.
Edith Orr From the Daily Inter Lake, Sunday, August 9, 1992: Edith Orr, 90 Edith Orr, 90, of Kalispell, died at Brendan House Aug. 5. She was born Aug. 3, 1902, in Extension, British Columbia, Canada, to Thomas and Isabelle Orr. During her early years, the family moved many times, as her father was a miner. They finally settled in Klein, Mont. (near Roundup), where Edith graduated from Klein High School in 1922. She worked in Klein, and in 1937, she moved to Billings, where she was a bookkeeper for Vaughn Ragsdale store for many years. In 1964, she moved to Kalispell to live with her sister. Edith never married, and is survived by her sister, Jennet Beaver, of Kalispell. Private burial will be made at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman Monday. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary. Google Map showing the location of Bearcreek, Montana. Elizabeth (Betsy) McCall Orr is buried in the Bearcreek Cemetery.
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