turning his attention to farming, was thus engaged until 1852, when he came with his family to Pike county,
Illinois, settling in Fairmount township, where he made his home for twenty-two years. Subsequently he took up
his abode in Mount Sterling, where his death occurred on the 3d of June, 1890. His wife had died in October, 1860,
and thus he survived her for almost a third of a century. They reared a family of ten children, of whom the subject
of this review is the seventh in order of birth. One son, Albert, was killed at the battle of Jackson, Mississippi,
while serving as a member of the Forty-first Illinois Infantry in defense of the Union. Most of the other members
of the family are still residents of Illinois.
Jefferson Orr was a youth of ten summers when his parents came to this state and his education, begun in the district
schools of Ohio, was continued in the public schools of this county, and afterward at Mount Sterling, Illinois,
prior to his matriculation in the Illinois College at Jacksonville. He later spent three years in the Chicago University,
the last two years of that period being passed in the law department, from which he was graduated with honors in
the class of 1864. Soon afterward he went to Atchison, Kansas, where he practiced for about nine months and on
the expiration of that period he returned to Pittsfield. He has since been an able member of the bar of this city
and in 1872 was elected prosecuting attorney of Pike county, to which position he was elected until he had served
for eight consecutive years. He has since given his attention to the private practice of law and in 1877 formed
a partnership with Edward Yates, which was continued until 1880. In the following year he became a partner of A.
G. Crawford under the firm style of Orr & Crawford, and they enjoyed an extensive clientage. For the past few
years, however, Mr. Orr has been alone and has controlled a legal business which in volume and importance indicates
his high standing at the bar.
On the 7th of November, 1878, was celebrated the marriage of Jefferson Orr and Miss Ella M. Yates, a daughter of
George and Maria (Hinman) Yates, and a graduate of the Methodist College of Jacksonville. She is a lady of superior
culture and refinement and is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mr. Orr also belongs.
Mr. Orr stands high as a citizen and in every department of jurisprudence, and is particulary noted for his successful
practice in the department of criminal law. Moreover he is financially successful. In 1891 he was elected circuit
judge and for six years served upon the bench. Mr. Orr has always been identified with the anti-license party of
Pittsfield, has served as trustee and president of the board, also alderman, and for the past six years as mayor
of the city, holding that office at the present time. His life has been one of untiring activity and he has so
directed his ability and efforts as to gain recognition as one of the representative citizens of Pike county. Realizing
the necessity for thorough preparation he industriously prepares his cases and in the court-room his manner is
characterized by a calmness and dignity that indicate reserve strength.
JAMES M. NORTON
James M. Norton, an honored veteran of the Civil war, now living retired in Milton, is a native son of Indiana,
born in Warren county on the 10th of January, 1844. His parents, Icabod S. and Elizabeth (French) Norton, were
among the early settlers of Warren county and contributed to its pioneer development and progress. In later years
they removed to Rossville, Vermilion county, Illinois, where their last days were spent. In their family were fifteen
children, of whom James was the seventh in order of birth. The record is as follows: Minerva, now deceased; Mary
A.; Adeline A.; William, who died in Columbus, Kentucky, from illness contracted while serving his country as a
soldier of the Union army; John, deceased; Harvey, who served in Company K, Thirty-third Indiana Regiment and was
honorably discharged July 21, 1865, near Louisville, Kentucky; James M.; Thomas Jefferson; Jane and Laura, both
deceased; Sarah M.; Zeruah; Rebecca; Lizzie; and one
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