History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/Jackson Orr
JACKSON ORR was born in Fayette County, Ohio, September 21, 1832. He was reared on a farm and by his own labor earned the means to pay his way in the University. After attending the public schools in boyhood, he attended the University of Indiana. In 1857 he came to Iowa, locating in Greene County. He studied law and was admitted to the bar. At the beginning of the War of the Rebellion he raised a company of which he was chosen captain. This company was incorporated into the Tenth Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Captain Orr was a gallant soldier and rendered distinguished service at the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, Corinth, Iuka, second Battle of Corinth and in the Vicksburg campaign. He was strongly recommended for colonel of the Thirty-ninth Regiment but lacking the help of influential friends at headquarters, was not promoted to the position which he had nobly earned. After the close of the war he removed to Boone and engaged in mercantile business. In the fall of 1867 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the Legislature. In 1870 he was nominated in the Sixth District for Congress and was elected by a majority of more than 11,000. He secured the passage of a bill through the House of Representatives granting indemnity to the River Land Settlers for the loss of their homes but the bill failed in the Senate. He was reëlected at the close of his first term, serving four years. Captain Orr removed to Colorado where he held several important public positions.