Robert Ervin Orr (1885 - 1970)

Born 1885 in Missouri, United States

Ancestors

Died 1970 at about age 85 in Missouri, United States

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Biography

Robert Ervin "Erve" Orr was born in Maries County, Missouri on February 5, 1884. On August 21, 1906 he was married to seventeen year-old Elsie Elizabeth Mertel in Vienna, Missouri. Elsie was born March 16, 1889 in Maries County, Missouri. Their marriage license was issued by L. N. Hawkins, Circuit Clerkand Recorder on August 21, 1906 and recorded on August 21, 1906 in Book D at Page 330 of Marriage Records of Maries County, Missouri.The license and recording reads that R. E. Orr of Meta, County of Osage, Missouri, over the age of twenty-one years and Elsie E. Mertel of the County of Maries, Missouri, under the age of eighteen years were married by S. B. Terwilliger, Justice of the Peace, in Vienna, Missouri.A notation on the license reads: "Albert A Mertel, father of the said Elsie E. Mertel has given his written assent to said marriage." The 1910 Federal census for Maries County, Boon Township, Missouri, registers Irvin Orr, age 24, married four years, his occupation listed as farmer, owner of a mortgaged farm, he and his parents born in Missouri; his wife, Elsie, age 21, married four years, she and her parents born in Missouri; Robert E, age 2; Clarence C, age, 1; both born in Missouri; and Marvin Orr, age 70, widowed, born in Missouri, his parents in Tennessee, living on his own income. Marvin is shown as the father of Irvin and listed as a survivor of the Union Army in the Civil War. The 1920 Federal census for Maries County, Boon Township, Missouri, registers Ervin Orr, age 35, his occupation listed as farmer who owned his farm, he and his parents born in Missouri; his wife, Elsie, age 30, she and her parents born in Missouri; Robert, age 12; Ona, age 7; Mildred, age 6; Lillian, age 3, Lorene, age three months, they and their parents born in Missouri. The 1930 Federal census for Bent County, Colorado, McClain Precinct, registers R.E. Orr, age 46, his occupation listed as general farming, he and his parents born in Missouri; his wife, Elsie, age 41, she and her parents born in Missouri; Robert, age 22; Ona, age 17; Mildred, age 15; Lillian, age 13; Lorraine, age 11; Hilda, age 8; Audry, age 6; Lloyd, age 4; and Myrtle G, age one month.The record indicates the family were renting the farm. and owned a radio. Erve and Elsie lived in the area of Meta, Missouri during the early years of their marriage.Eight of their twelve children were born in Missouri before the family moved to Colorado in 1925, where the next four children were born.The family referred to the siblings as "the Missouri kids and the Colorado kids."The family lived in several areas in Colorado prior to settling on a farm near Los Animas, Colorado. The story related by her family is that Erve and Elsie had a farm sale in at their home in Missouri in September 1925, loaded up the family in the family's Ford car and set out for Colorado to an area where Erve's two brothers had settled.Their oldest son, Robert, was eighteen years old at the time and drove the entire way from Missouri to Colorado.Elsie and Erve lived on their farm near Los Animas, for many years where their main crop was alfalfa and sugar beets. They moved to Lamar, Colorado in their later years. Elsie is remembered for her sparkling brown eyes, cheery and compassionate personality, and as a hard working and caring wife and mother.Erve was a great story teller and a proud horseman as a buyer and seller of horses. He also worked on the railroad for several years. Following is the published obituary for Elsie Orr:Elsie E. Orr, 78, Lamar, (Colorado) died in a Fort Collins nursing home Saturday (April 15, 1967) following an extended illness. Born in Meta, Missouri, Mrs. Orr came to Prowers County in 1925.She had lived in Fort Collins several months.Before moving there she lived for one year with Mr. and Mrs. Denson New in La Junta.She was a member of the First Christian Church. Survivors include her husband, Robert E, Fort Collins; two sons, Robert of Denver and Lloyd of Fort Collins; nine daughters, Mrs. Ona Belle New, La Junta; Mrs. Mildred Roberts, Denver; Mrs. Lillian Elliott, Coquille, Ore, Mrs. Lorraine Ratzlaff, Longmont, Mrs. Audra Jorgenson, Fairmount, Minnesota; Mrs. Hilda Korolewski, Menden, Missouri, Mrs. Myrtle Peeper, Kalamazzo, Michigan; Imogene Cobb, Norfolk, Virginia; and Mrs. Joyce Reyher, Pampa, Texas.Several brothers and sisters also survive, as do 23 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.Services will be at 1:30 p.m. (April 18, 1967) from the First Christian Church with J. E. Havens officiating.Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery with Dolsen Mortuary handling arrangements. Following is the published obituary for Erve: Robert Ervin Orr, 86, of Ft. Collins (Colorado) died March 15 (1970) at Ft. Collins. He was born at Meta, Missouri on February 5, 1884.Orr, who was a farmer and rancher, came to Prowers County in 1925 and remained in Lamar until 1967 when he moved to Fort Collins.Mr. Orr was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie Elizabeth Orr, April 15, 1967. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Lamar. Survivors include two sons and eight daughters; Robert E. Orr, Denver, Lloyd Orr, Fort Collins; Mrs. Ona Belle New, La Junta; Mrs. Mildred Roberts, Denver; Mrs. Lillian Elliott, Coquille, Oregon; Mrs. Hilda Korolewski, Missouri; Mrs. Audrey Jorgenson, Fairmont, Minnesota; Mrs. Myrtle Jean Peeper, Kalamazoo, Michigan; Mrs. Joyce Reyer, Dalhart, Texas and Mrs. Imogene Cobb, Norfolk, Virginia.He is also survived by one brother, a sister, 23 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren. The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon (March 18, 1970) at the First Christian Church in Lamar with Sherman V. Nichols as minister. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery. Dolsen Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Genealogy.com iii. ELSIE ELIZABETH MERTEL/Notes for ELSIE ELIZABETH MERTEL.

• 1880 Boone, Maries County, Missouri, United States