Carey, Charles Henry. "History of Oregon." Vol. 2. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer Historical Pub. Co., 1922. p. 69. JOHN W. ORR Law enforcement rests in safe hands with John W. Orr, who is strict, fearless and prompt in the discharge of his duties as sheriff of Polk county, to which office he was first elected in 1914. Mr. Orr is widely and favorably known in the section where he resides, for he was born in Polk county on the 9th of August, 1878, and is a son of Samuel S. and Charlotte Orr, the former a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, while the latter was born near Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1873 the father emigrated to America and crossing the country to Oregon purchased land near Rickreall, in Polk county, which he engaged in cultivating until 1905, when he removed to Portland and there lived retired until his demise on the 19th of March, 1919, at the age of seventy-four years. The mother survives and is still residing in Portland. Their son, John W. Orr, attended the district schools of Polk county and the public and high schools of Rickreall, later pursuing a course in Armstrong's Business College at Portland. His first position was that of bookkeeper for the Capital Lumber Company of Salem, Oregon, and subsequently turned to agricultural pursuits purchasing land in the vicinity of Rickreall which he continued to operate until 1914, when he was called to public office, being elected sheriff of Polk county. So creditable a record did he make in that connection that he has since been continued in the office, his excellent service justifying the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He leaves nothing undone to enforce the law according to his con- science and is fearless in the discharge of his duties. He is still the owner of his farm near Rickreall but is not active in its cultivation, his time being entirely devoted to his public duties. On the 10th of August, 1804, Mr. Orr was united in marriage to Miss Wilma E. Dalton and they have become the parents of a daughter. Charlotte I., who was born October 18, 1906. In his political views Mr. Orr is a republican, loyal to the principles of the party, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the United Artisans, the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan, the lodge, chapter and the Eastern Star of the Masonic order, and Mrs. Orr is identified with the Eastern Star and Pythian Sisters. He is also a member of the Grange and in religious faith is a Congregationalist. He is ever ready to give his support to measures for the promotion of the public welfare and as sheriff of Polk county is discharging his duties in such a way as to earn the high encomiums of the general public. He has a wide acquaintance in this section of the state, where his entire life has been passed, and he is everywhere spoken of as a citizen of worth, his many sterling traits of character winning for him the high regard of all who know him. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.