Matthew Thomas Orr of Elkrun and Centre Townships, Columbiana County, Ohio

     My maternal great-granduncle, Matthew Thomas Orr, son of William Morland Orr and Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr McCormick, was born in Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio on September 8, 1836.  

      Matthew Thomas Orr grew up on a farm.  I have thought that it could have been the land of his maternal uncle and aunt, Matthew Cannon and Jane Fife Cannon, in Section 29 in Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

     Matthew Orr was only twelve when his father, William Morland Orr died in 1849.  The Orr's were enumerated with Uncle Matthew Cannon's widow, his Aunt Jane Fife Cannon, on the 1850 Ohio Census.  Matthew had willed the farm to his wife.  Perhaps Matthew Thomas Orr was named for his maternal uncle, Matthew Cannon.  

     On the 1860 Ohio Census, Matthew is listed as living with his mother and sisters in Elkrun Township and he is farming.  Matthew's grandparents, Lindsey and Elizabeth Fife Cannon have purchased the land in Section 29 and are living and farming there in 1860.  Perhaps Matthew is working on his grandfather's land and the Orr's are living elsewhere in Elkrun Township. 

     With the beginning of the Civil War, Matthew enlisted on August 2, 1862 and mustered in on August 30, 1862 as a Sergeant with Company C, 104th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  

     In this book, History of the 104th Regiment, Matthew is listed as a Second Sergeant.  He was wounded twice; at a battle in Old Town Creek, North Carolina on February 20, 1864 and near Atlanta, Georgia on August 7, 1864.

The Evening Review
East Liverpool, Ohio
 February 22, 1939
Page 12

     Two accounts of Matthew having been killed in battle near Atlanta, Georgia.  The newspaper article was a reprint from a 1864 newspaper article.  I can only imagine the rejoicing in the family when Matthew showed up at the front door.

       I did not purchase Matthew's civil war pension file, so I do not know why he was demoted to private.  He mustered out on June 17, 1865 in Greensboro, North Carolina and headed home to Elk Run Township.     

     On December 30, 1869, thirty three year old, Matthew Thomas Orr married twenty four year old, Mary Ellen Smith, in New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio.  The marriage was performed by Reverend William Baxter, pastor of the Christian Church, New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Mary Ellen born on April 25, 1845 in Ohio, the daughter of James L. Smith, Esq. and Elisabeth Roff Smith.  

1870 Ohio Federal Census
New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County
June 1, 1870

Mathew Orr, age 28, supervisor, value of personal estate $300, born in Ohio

Mary Orr, age 22, keeping house, born in Ohio

     The newly weds have set up housekeeping in the town of New Lisbon (now called Lisbon).  Thee  is no indication where Matthew is a supervisor.  Mary Ellen's parents also live in New Lisbon where her father is an attorney.  Matthew's mother and half sister have also moved to New Lisbon.  

     The Orr's welcomed their first child, a daughter, Effie Orr, on June 16, 1870 in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

     A second daughter, Anna "Annie" Orr, was born in 1872 in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

History of Columbiana County, Ohio......Horace Mack,
D.W. Ensign & Co, Philadelphia, 1879,
page 28

     Matthew was appointed janitor of the Columbiana County Courthouse in New Lisbon, Ohio on October 22, 1872.  

     Hattie Orr was born on May 1, 1874 in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio and Mary Emma Orr was born on October 15, 1876 in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

 

     Thirty five year old Mary Ellen Smith Orr died on December 13, 1879 in Columbiana County, Ohio from dysentery.    

     Mary Ellen was buried in Lisbon Cemetery, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Thirty years later, her husband, Matthew Thomas Orr, was laid to rest beside her. 

1880 Ohio Federal Census
 Centre Township, Columbiana County
June 26, 1880

Matthew Orr, age 38, widowed, janitor of court house, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Effie Orr, age 10, daughter, at school, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Annie Orr, age 8, daughter, at school, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Hattie Orr, age 6, daughter, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Mamie Orr, age 3, daughter, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

     On December 18, 1880, forty four year old Matthew Thomas Orr, married thirty year old, Libbie Elizabeth Keck, in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Libbie Elizabeth was born on July 15, 1850 in North Benton, Mahoning County, Ohio the daughter of Charles Keck and Dorothy Frederick Keck.

     Matthew and Libbie welcomed their first child, a son, William Monigan Orr, on November 1, 1881 in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

     Julia B. Orr was born on July 16, 1883 in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

     A second daughter, Delle M. Orr, was born on March 8, 1885, in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

1890 Veterans Census
New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio
June, 1890

Matthew T. Orr, private, Company C, 104 Regiment, Ohio Volunteer, Infantry, Date of Enlistment August 7, 1862, Date of Discharge June 17, 1865, 2 years, 10 months, 6 days, Post Office address: New Lisbon, Disability:  gun shot wound.

     On December 30, 1896, Matthew's oldest child, twenty six year old, Effie Orr, married twenty seven year old Wesley P. Wood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Wesley was born on May 1, 1869 in Janesville, Wisconsin, the son of Royal Wood and Eliza Andrew Wood.  

1900 Ohio Federal Census
Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County
June 9, 1900

Mathew Orr, head, born Sep 1836, age 63, married, 20 years, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, day laborer, owns a house on West Washington with a mortgage.

Elizabeth Orr, wife, born July 1850, age 49, married 20 years, mother of 3 children, 3 alive, born in Ohio, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Germany.

William Orr, son, born Nov. 1881, age 18, single, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, tin mill screw boy.

Julia Orr, daughter, born July 1883, age 16, single, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, at school.

Della Orr, daughter, born Mar 1885, age 15, single, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, at school.

     All of Matthew's daughters from his marriage to Mary Ellen Smith Orr have left Lisbon.  Effie is married and living in Chicago, Illinois.  Anna, Hattie and Mary Emma are all MIA on the 1900 census.

The Evening Review
East Liverpool, Ohio
 April 27, 1901
Page 3

     On December 23, 1905, twenty nine year old, Mary Emma Orr married thirty nine year old, Charles Harrison Hopwood in Chicago, Illinois.  Charles was born about 1866 in either Kentucky or Illinois; however, probably in Kentucky.  Parents could be John W. Hopwood and Rachel A. Banks Hopwood.

The Evening Review
East Liverpool, Ohio
 September 12, 1906
Page 8

     My maternal great grandmother, Lucinda "Lou" Bell Orr Frederick, spent several weeks with her brother, and only living sibling in September, 1906.  Since their mother, Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr McCormick, is not mentioned, I am assuming she has died.

The Evening Review
East Liverpool, Ohio
  December 23, 1909
Page 8

The Mahoning Dispatch
Canfield, Ohio
 December 31, 1909
 Page 1

     Matthew Thomas Orr, son of William Orr nd Nancy Cannon, died in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio on December 22, 1909 at age seventy three.  His personal information was given by his youngest child, Delle Orr.

     Matthew was buried beside his first wife, Mary Ellen Smith Orr, on December 23, 1909 in Lisbon Cemetery, Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

     From the obituary, some information was given as to the location of Anna Orr, living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Hattie Orr, living in Chicago, Illinois in 1909.  Unfortunately, I have not been able to trace their movements or lives.

Additional Civil War Documents

Civil War Pension Filing

     Libbie Elizabeth Keck Orr continued to live in Lisbon after her husband's death.  She stayed in their house on West Washington Street with her youngest daughter, Delle Orr.  Following Delle's marriage in 1920, Elizabeth Orr lived with her married daughter and her family at 317 East Chestnut Street, Lisbon, Ohio until she died.

The Salem News
Salem, Ohio
  December 2, 1948
Page 8

     Elizabeth Keck Orr died at age ninety eight, on December 2, 1948 at her daughter, Delle Orr Beck's home, where she had lived for over twenty years.  The obituary only mentions Elizabeth's natural born children.  At least one of her step children, Mary Emma Orr Hopwood was alive in 1948.  She was buried in Lisbon Cemetery, Lisbon, Ohio.

Children of Matthew Thomas Orr and Mary Ellen Smith Orr:

1. Effie Orr, born on June 16, 1870 in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on December 4, 1939 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.  Married Wesley P. Wood on December 30, 1896 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Effie had a linen business and Wesley was a railroad conductor.  No children.
2. Anna Orr, born 1872, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, unmarried, when her father died in 1909.  No further knowledge.
3. Hattie Orr, born on May 1, 1874, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Was living in Chicago, Illinois, unmarried, when her father died in 1909.  No further knowledge.
4. Mary Emma Orr born on October 15, 1876, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on August 1, 1969 in Hennepin County, Minnesota.  Married on December 23, 1905 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, Charles Harrison Hopwood.  Children:  Mary Elizabeth Hopwood, born on July 18, 1909, Illinois, died on March 11, 1911 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.  John James Hopwood, born on November 21, 1915 in Warren, Minnesota, died February 28, 1973 in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Children of Matthew Thomas Orr and Libbie Elizabeth Keck Orr:

1. William Monigan Orr, born on November 1, 1881 in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on June 18, 1910 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Brakeman with the railroad.  Death certificate lists that he was divorced.
2. Julia "Jewel" B. Orr, born on July 16, 1883 in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on April 4, 1982 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Married John L. Moore, on October 4, 1919, in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  No children.
3. Delle M. Orr, born on March 8, 1885 in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on October 18, 1958 in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Married Walter Washington Beck on August 14, 1920 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Child:  John Orr Beck.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2021, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

John F. Groomes and Margaret C. Orr Groomes of Columbiana County, Ohio

Columbiana County Infirmary circa 1900

     My maternal great-grandaunt, Margaret "Maggie" C. Orr, daughter of William Morland Orr and Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr, was born in Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio in 1842.  She was only seven years old when her father died.  Her mother remarried; however, Maggie's stepfather only lived three years after the wedding.  Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr McCormick raised her children after 1853 alone.  

     Columbiana County built a County Infirmary to house the poor and mentally ill. It was located west of New Lisbon (now Lisbon) in Centre Township. Two hundred acres of land was purchased in 1829. Those living at the home worked on the farm. during the remainder of the 1800's, additional land was purchased and more buildings were constructed.

1870 Ohio Federal Census
Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio
June 1, 1870

     The portion of the 1870 census report above contains the names of the first listed people working at the Columbiana County Infirmary.  Robert Stevenson was the supervisor and his wife, Moriah Stevenson, the matron.

John Groomes, age 33, farm laborer,  value of personal property $2,000, born in Ohio

Margaret Orr, age 27, domestic servant, born in Ohio

     How long Jim and Maggie worked together at the infirmary is unknown.  It does appear that this is where they met.

     On November 10, 1870, twenty-eight year old, Maggie Orr married thirty-four year old James F. Groomes in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Reverend William Lynch, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, performed the wedding service.  James was the son of James Grooms and Nancy Frederick Grooms. James was born in April, 1836 in Ohio.  The surname is spelled with and without the letter "e".

     The Groomes welcomed their first child, a daughter, Addie Groomes, on October 3, 1871.  Addie was probably born in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

     Two more daughters were born, Myrtha Groomes on January 28, 1873 and Harriet Groomes on April 15, 1875.  Both girls were also probably born in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

     In 1876, James F. Groomes was elected the new supervisor of the Columbiana County Infirmary.  

Gallipolis Journal
Gallipolis, Ohio
 November 9, 1876
  Page 2

     This is James F. Groomes, Superintendent of Columbiana County Infirmary.  The newspaper reported an incorrect county in the article.  

     In my notes, I copied an article that appeared in the New Lisbon Journal, Monday, October 30, 1876.

"John Grooms, Superintendent of the County Infirmary, was stabbed there by an inmate named Headly.  About two years since, Headly's wife died at Wellsville leaving two children and the father concluding he would be unable to support himself and children went to the Infirmary.  He cares for the heating engine.  One of the children has since been sent out to work, another is at school.  In an argument with Grooms, he stabbed him....not fatally, but charges will be brought."

     

     A fourth daughter, Achsah Groomes, was born on May 11, 1878 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

1880 Ohio Federal Census
Centre Township, Columbiana County
June 5 & 7, 1880

John Groomes, age 44, married, Superintendent County Infirmary, born in Ohio, father born in Maryland, mother born in Pennsylvania.

Margaret Groomes, age 37, wife, married, Mistress of County Infirmary, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Addie Groomes, age 9, daughter, at school, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Myrtha Groomes, age 7, daughter, at school, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Harriet Groomes, age 5, daughter, at school, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Achsah Groomes, age 2, daughter, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

     In  1880 there were 86 patients enumerated at the infirmary.  Two farm laborers, four servants, one cook, one seamstress and one sawyer.  The range of infirmities were epileptic, blind, deaf and dumb, idiotic, insane and disabled.

     In 1882, James resigned from the position of superintendent of the Columbiana County Infirmary and returned to farming.

     John F. Groomes purchased 133.25 acres of land in the northeast corner of Section 5, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

     The Groomes last child, a son, Frank Oscar Groomes, was born probably on the Groomes farm, on April 10, 1885 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

     On July 14, 1892, twenty year old, Addie Groomes married twenty one year old Harry W. Cope in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Harry, son of Lorenzo Dow Cope and Ruth M. Kuffel Cope, was born August 18, 1870 in Columbiana County, Ohio.

     Twenty one year old Harriet M. Groomes married twenty six year old David Clarence Burson on April 15, 1896 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  David, born on February 20, 1870 in New Garden, Columbiana County, Ohio, was the son of Nelson Burson and Lany Ann Harris Burson.  

     Margaret "Maggie" C. Groomes, age fifty four, died in 1896, probably on the family farm.  She was buried in Mt. Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

1900 Ohio Federal Census
Centre Township, Columbiana County
June 4, 1900

John F. Groomes, head, born April 1836, age 64, widower, born in Ohio, father born in Maryland, mother born in Pennsylvania, farmer, can read, write and speak English, owns a farm with mortgage.

Myrtha E. Groomes, daughter, born Jan 1873, age 27, single, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, housekeeper, can read, write and speak English

Frank O. Groomes, son, born April 1885, age 15, single, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, at school,  can read, write and speak English

William F. Groomes, brother, born July 1834, age 65, single, born in Ohio, father born in Maryland, mother born in Pennsylvania, farm laborer, an read, write and speak English

     Achsah Groomes was enumerated on the 1900 and 1910 Ohio Federal census with the family of William J. and Lorena A. Yates, living at East Rail Road in Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Achsah was employed there as a housekeeper.

   

     On January 20, 1905, John F. Groomes died at age sixty nine. He was buried beside his wife, Maggie, at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery. He has a Civil War marker beside the gravestone.

The Evening Review
East Liverpool, Ohio
 February 4, 1905
  Page 1

Additional Information:

John F. Groomes Civil War Information

Very informative biography on
John F. Groomes and Family
Corrections in the margin

Centre Township Map
Showing relationship of Lisbon,
John F. Groomes Farm, the County Infirmary
and Mt. Zion Cemetery (the red circle)

Children of John F. Groomes and Margaret "Maggie" C. Orr Groomes:

1. Addie Groomes, born on October 1, 1871 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on April 12, 1925 in Sebring, Mahoning County, Ohio.  Married Harry W. Cope on July 14, 1892 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Children:  Margaret A. Cope, Earl Eustice Cope, Virginia Ruth Cope, Mayme B. Cope and John Frederick Cope. 
2. Myrtha Groomes, born on January 28, 1873 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on May 29, 1944 in Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Married Edward G. Cox on April 2, 1902 in Columbiana County, Ohio.
3. Harriet M. Groomes, born on April 15, 1875 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on December 24, 1928.  Married David Clarence Burson on April 15, 1896 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Children:  Esther L. Burson, Arthur Nelson Burson, Emery John Burson, Mary M. Burson and Sylvia Lorane Burson.
4.  Achsah Groomes, born May 11, 1878 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on May 15, 1962 in Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Married widower, Mervin George Farmer, on February 11, 1915 in Columbiana County, Ohio.
5. Frank Oscar Groomes born on April 10, 1885 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on October 19, 1940 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Married on March 2, 1911 in Columbiana County, Ohio, Ruth Ann Huffnagle.  Children:  William R. Groomes,  Wanda Margaret Groomes, Harold Wayne Groomes.  This family group seems to have dropped the "e" in the surname.

     Back in 1998, a new cousin, Jean Marie Barcus, contacted me regarding the Orr and Groomes families.  I must have posted an inquiry in a genealogy board out on the net and she was responding.  I gratefully accepted some Xeroxed old photos of her line.  Although Xeroxed photos are not in the ballpark of scanned ones, I have played around with them and then hit them with an old photo app.  

Margaret "Maggie" Orr Groomes

Margaret "Maggie" Orr

Margaret "Maggie" Orr

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2021, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



William Morland Orr and Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr McCormick

     I have spent the past week updating my alpha listing on Flipside. I stopped making additions the first year I blogged....2009. Back then, I figured that since I added a search engine feature, that the alpha list was obsolete. Lately, I have been looking for particular blogs to update or to grab a graphic, and I can't find them using the search engine. Other than getting the list up to date, I was able to find the "holes" in my family genealogy blogs. My maternal great great grandparents, William Morland Orr and Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr McCormick, are ancestors that I have neglected. 

     William Morland Orr was born on April 28, 1813 in Ohio.  He was the son of Joseph Orr and Jane Kelso Orr.  William was the second child born to Joseph and Jane.  Ten additional children joined the Orr family from 1815-1837.

From the will of Matthew's father, Joseph Orr 1857

     I do want to add a note here regarding Matthew's middle name. He is listed as Matthew Morland Orr in his father's will. I have also seen it written as William Morlan Orr. Of interest there was a well regarded Morland/Morlan family in Elkrun Township in the early 1800's. I have never been able to ascertain whether William's middle name was a family name or honoring neighboring friends.

     The Orr's removed from Pennsylvania to town of Lisbon, Ohio, where Joseph was employed as the town's tailor.  By 1828, the Orr's moved a short distance from Lisbon to sizeable piece of land in section 31, Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  The Orr property was not far from Cannon and Fife properties.

     Nancy Agnes Cannon was born in April, 1817 probably on a farm in Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  She was the daughter of Lindsey Cannon and Elizabeth Fife Cannon.  The Cannon's and the Fife's were early Columbiana County pioneers, both families relocating from Western Pennsylvania.  Nancy' namesake, was her mother's sister, Nancy Agnes Fife Springer.  

    When Nancy was an infant, the family removed to St Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  She was the youngest of three having two older known sisters.  There are gaps between the known children, early in the Cannon's marriage and son, Thomas Cannon, who has no records other than he died at age twenty.  Nancy had seven siblings.

1900 photograph of Cannons Mills

     Nancy grew up in a village named for her family and the business her father ran, Cannons Mills, St Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Although the village was small, Nancy would have come in contact with families coming to the mill for flour and her father was also a distributor of homemade whiskey.  In townships close by lived numerous Cannon and Fife families, aunts, uncles and cousins.

     Unfortunately, most records for St. Clair Township have been lost for the years before 1840.  It appears that the early settlers accounts are primarily based on Steubenville Land Records and recollections and stories of family members who were alive when The History of Columbiana County, Ohio was written in 1879 by Horace Mack.  Lindsey Cannon and family had left Cannons Mills between 1840-1850.  

    

     Eighteen year old Nancy married twenty-two year old William Morland Orr, son of Joseph Orr and Jane Kelso Orr, in Columbiana County, Ohio on October 15, 1835.  Reverend Clement Vallandigham, the Presbyterian minister from Lisbon, Ohio performed the ceremony.  

     How the newly weds met is unknown; however, Nancy's Uncle Matthew Cannon owned farmland in Elkrun Township, where William's father, Joseph Orr also owned a section of land.  There was also Fife family nearby.  

     William and Nancy settled on a farm in Elkrun Township.  The Orr's welcomed their first child, Matthew Thomas Orr, on September 8, 1836.  Next, two daughters joined the family; Elizabeth Orr, born 1838 and Mary A. Orr, born 1840.  The girls birth years are approximates determined from census records.

Wm M Orr

     His name on the 1840 Elkrun Census is almost illegible--Wm M.Orr, transcribed as Everall Orr.  He is enumerated with other land owners around his father's farm.  In fact his father is enumerated near the bottom of the page.  Six people were enumerated in the Orr household in 1840, two engaged in agriculture.  As I will note further down in the blog, I believe that the Orr's were living on Nancy's widowed aunt's farm.  Aunt Jane Fife Cannon was enumerated in Lisbon, Centre Township in 1840, not on her property in Elkrun Township.  The family of David Carlisle is directly beside the Cannon property and in the 1840 enumeration Matthew Orr is enumerated directly under David Carlisle.

1 male under age 5--Matthew Orr

1 male age 10-15--Unknown, perhaps a younger brother of William or Nancy or a hired farmhand

1 male age 20-30--William M. Orr

2 females under age 5--Elizabeth Orr and Mary A. Orr

1 female age 20-30--Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr

     Two more daughters were born during the 1840's; Margaret C. Orr, born 1842 and Lucinda Bell Orr, born June 29, 1844.  Lucinda is my maternal great grandmother.

     William Morland Orr died at age  thirty-five on February 11, 1849 in Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  He is buried in Carlisle Cemetery located near his father's land in Elkrun Township.  There is a map below with a yellow star marking the cemetery.  The photo on Find A Grave is mine and I seriously need to drive back to take better photos of all the Orr grave markers.      

1850 Ohio Federal Census
Elkrun Township, District 25, Columbiana County
August 29, 1850

     Nancy Orr was widowed at age thirty-one and had five children to raise alone.  A year later it appears she is living with Jane Fife Cannon, widowed wife of Matthew Cannon, on a farm in District 25 in Elkrun Township.  Jane is her aunt times two.  Jane was her mother's sister and she married Nancy's paternal uncle, Matthew Cannon.

Jane Cannon, age 54, born in Pennsylvania, value of real estate owned $2,500

Nancy Orr, age 34, born in Ohio (age discrepancy)

Mathias Orr, age 14, born in Ohio, attended school

Elizabeth Orr, age 12, born in Ohio, attended school

Margaret Orr, age 8, born in Ohio, attended school

Lucinda Orr, age 6, born in Ohio, attended school

Elijah McCormick, age 27, farmer, born in Ohio

     Mary A. Orr, daughter to Nancy, is enumerated with her Great Aunt Nancy Agnes Fife Springer and Great Uncle John Springer on the Springer Farm in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Mary is age 10 and attended school.

1840 Elkrun Township

     I'm going to address this here and with more detail in a blog about Matthew Cannon and Jane Fife Cannon.  It has taken me countess hours scrolling through land records and wills to put the story of Matthew and Jane Cannon together.  In the Horace Mack book, The History of Columbiana County, Matthew is listed as a single man.  His tombstone mentions the same refrain.  The will of Joseph Fife, 1817 and his own will, 1831, prove he was indeed married.  The piece of property outlined in red is his and following his death, it was willed to his wife, Jane Cannon.

     Perhaps fourteen year old, Nancy Agnes Cannon, either spent time or moved in to assist her widowed aunt between 1831-1835.  This could have been how she met and married William Morland Orr in 1835.  The Orr property is outlined in green.  It think it has changed my original thought that William and Nancy were living on Orr property in 1840.  Instead, I believe they were living on Aunt Jane Fife Cannon's land and William was working her farm.

     You may have noticed that there was a farm worker living on Jane Cannons farm in 1850.  Elijah McCormick married Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr after August, 1850.  I have not found a marriage record for Elijah and Nancy.  They had a daughter, Arabella McCormick in 1851.  

     The marriage was short lived, as Elijah died at age thirty, on September 6, 1853.  He is buried in West Beaver Church Cemetery, Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  The cemetery is on McCormick Run Road and numerous McCormick's are buried there.  I have not been able to attach Elijah to his birth family.

     

     On March 25, 1859, nineteen year old, Mary A. Orr, died.  To date, the cause of death is unknown.  She was buried near her father in the Carlisle Cemetery, Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

1860 Ohio Federal Census
Elkrun Township, Columbiana County
June 9, 1860

     Nancy, again widowed, is raising her family in Elkrun Township.  Was she able to continue to live on her aunt's property or perhaps on Joseph Orr's land?  Is she living in the village of Elkton and her son Matthew is farming someone else's land while living with his mother?  

Nancy McCormac, age 44

Matthew T., age 23, farmer 

Elizabeth, age 22 

Margaret, age 18

Arabella, age 9

     My maternal great grandmother, Lucinda Bell Orr, was enumerated with the family of Robert Glen Bell and Dorothy Betz Bell in Elkrun Township on the 1860 Ohio Federal census.  She was age 15 had attended school during the year.  She may be helping with housework, but is not listed as having employment in the home.  I have been told by Frederick family, that Lucinda's mother, Nancy, was very good friends with the Bell family.  Lucinda married Alfred Frederick whose ancestors were Betz.   Lucinda must have been also been fond of the Bell family since she honored them by naming her third son, Robert Bell Frederick.  

     Like many mothers and spouses, Nancy spent the first portion of the 1860's worrying about her son, Matthew while he served in the Civil War.  Matthew was a private with Company C, 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry from August 7, 1862 to June 11, 1865.  

     The first of Nancy's children to marry was her youngest, Lucinda Bell Orr.  Twenty-four year old Lucinda married thirty-two year old, Alfred F. Frederick, on October 22, 1868 in the Probate Court of Columbiana County, Ohio.  Lucinda and Alfred are my great grandparents.

     The second Orr sibling to marry was Matthew.  On December 30, 1869, thirty-three year old Matthew Thomas Orr married twenty-four year old Mary Ellen Smith in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Mary Ellen was the daughter of lawyer, James L. Smith and Elisabeth Roff Smith, who lived in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

1870 Ohio Federal Census
New Lisbon, Centre Township
June 1, 1870

     Nancy and her daughter, Arabella, have relocated to the town of New Lisbon in the township to the west of Elkrun.  Her son, Matthew Thomas Orr, was living there with his family.  Perhaps the reason she moved there.

Nancy McCormic, age 53, keeping house, $100 in personal property

Arabell McCormac, age 19, at home, $900 in real estate.

     Nancy and Arabella are living in a house.  Arabella owns real estate.  Either the house they are living in or perhaps she was willed property in Centre Township since her father, Elijah McCormick's family owned property in the township near New Lisbon.

     Nancy's daughter, Elizabeth Orr is not enumerated with her mother.  I have not been able to trace her.  Either she has married or has died between 1860-1870.

     November 10, 1870 brought a joyous event as Nancy's daughter, Margaret C. Orr, age twenty-eight married James F. Groomes, age thirty-four at New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio.  James was the son of James Grooms and Nancy Frederick Grooms.

     Nancy's father, Lindsey Cannon, age ninety-two, died on his farm in Elkrun Township the day following Christmas, December 26, 1870.  He was buried in Carlisle Cemetery, almost across the road from his property.

     On September 14, 1873, Nancy's mother, Elizabeth Fife Cannon, age eighty-four, died on the Cannon farm in Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Elizabeth was buried in Carlisle Cemetery beside her husband.  

     During the 1870's, Nancy became the grandmother to twelve grandchildren, all living in Columbiana County, Ohio.  

Lucinda and Alfred Frederick

1. Albert L. Frederick--1869
2. William Walter Frederick--1871
3. Robert Bell Frederick--1873
4. Edna May Frederick--1876

Matthew and Mary Ellen Orr

1. Effie Orr--1870
2. Annie Orr--1872
3. Hattie Orr--1874
4. Marie Orr--1876

Martha and John F. Groomes

1. Addie Groomes--1871
2. Myrtha Groomes--1873
3. Harriet Groomes--1875
4. Achsah Groomes--1878

     On December 13, 1879, Matthew Thomas Orr lost his wife, Mary Ellen Smith Orr age thirty-four.  Mary Ellen is enumerated in an Elkrun Township death record.  She was attended to by Dr. F. P. Moore and died from dysentery.  She is buried in Lisbon Cemetery, Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

1880 Ohio Federal Census
Centre Township, Columbia County
June, 1880

Nancy McCormick, age 64, widowed, employed as a tailoress

Arabella McCormick, age 27, at home

     A new family member was welcomed into the Orr family when Matthew married Libbie Elizabeth Keck on December 18, 1880 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Elizabeth was the daughter of Charles and Dorothy Keck.

     Five additional grandchildren were born in the 1880's.  Nancy was now a grandmother to seventeen children.

1. Martha Marie Frederick--1880 (My maternal grandmother)
2. William M. Orr--1881
3. Julia Orr--1883
4. Frank Groomes--1885
5. Della Orr--1885

     A time of great sorrow and grief for Nancy came in February 1889.  Her youngest child, daughter Arabella McCormick, age thirty-five, died.  Arabella and her mother had lived together since her birth in 1851.  I have found no death record or burial place for Arabella; however, she did have a probate record.  The only family mentioned were, her mother, Nancy McCormick, her half sister, Lucinda Frederick and her half brother, Matthew Orr.

     Without a 1890 census report or any documents from that decade, it is unknown where Nancy lived.  Did she live alone in Lisbon or move in with one of her three children?

     Seven years after losing her daughter, Arabella, Nancy lost another daughter.  Margaret C. "Maggie" Groomes, age forty-four, died in1896.  She is buried in Mt. Zion Evangelical Church Cemetery, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

1900 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Esplen Brough, Allegheny County
June 7, 1900

     This was a fun little find for me.  My maternal great great grandmother, Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr McCormick is enumerated with her daughter (my maternal great grandmother), Lucinda Bell Orr Frederick and my maternal grandmother, Martha Marie Frederick is living at home and on the census.

Alfred Frederick, Head, born May, 1836, age 64, married 32 years, born in Ohio as were his parents, employed as a switch tender, has worked for 12 months, is renting a house at 614 River Avenue, Esplen, Pennsylvania.

Lucinda Frederick, Wife, born June 1854, age 55, married 32 years, mother of five, four alive, born in Ohio as were her parents.

Robert Frederick, Son, born September 1873, age 26, single, born in Ohio as were his parents, employed as a railroad flagman.

Mary Frederick, Daughter, born April 1880, age 20, single, born in Ohio as were her parents, employed as a "scool" teacher for all but two months.

Nancy McCormack, Mother-in-Law, born April 1817, age 83, mother of six, two alive, born in Ohio, father born in Scotland, mother born in Ohio.  I only know of five children.

     The Nancy questions continue.  Was she living with the Frederick's and moved to Pennsylvania with them when they left Columbiana County circa 1895.  I have been unable to locate a death certificate in Pennsylvania or Ohio and no burial place.  She probably was buried without benefit of a grave marker.  I would imagine she and her daughter, Arabella are buried in the same cemetery in Columbiana County, Ohio, either Lisbon Cemetery or Carlisle Cemetery in Elkrun Township.  

Children of Matthew Morland Orr and Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr

1. Matthew Thomas Orr born November 8, 1836 in Columbiana County, Ohio, died December 22, 1909, Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Married Mary Ellen Smith on December 30, 1969 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Married second, Libbie Elizabeth Keck in 1880, Columbiana County, Ohio.
2. Elizabeth Orr born 1838 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  No further knowledge.
3. Mary A. Orr born 1840, Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died March 25, 1859, Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  
4. Margaret C. "Maggie" Orr born in 1842, Columbiana County, Ohio, died in 1896, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Married November 10, 1870 John F. Groomes, Columbiana County, Ohio. 
5. Lucinda "Lou" Bell Orr  (my maternal great grandmother) born June 29, 1844, Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died December 15, 1909, Bellevue, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Married Alfred F. Frederick (my maternal great grandfather) on October 22, 1868 in Columbiana County, Ohio.

Child of Elijah McCormick and Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr McCormick

1. Arabella McCormick born in 1851, Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died February, 1889 in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

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