MEMORIAL REPORT

Sketch of the life of Rev. Geo. W. Orr.Bro. Orr was a member of Loan Oak Church and had reached

the age of 77 years. He died May 24, 1922.Bro. Orr was a preacher of the gospel for about forty

years, and was sane, sound, and faithful in word and deed.Most of his ministerial work was performed in Graham andSwain counties. He was converted at the age of thirty years,and joined the Cheoah Church.

At the time he was called to preach he was unlettered,but he applied himself to study and soon learned to read theBible and became an able exponent of the Word of Truth.

TENNESSEE RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION MINUTES, 1922, p. 9

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BRIEF BAPTIST BIOGRAPHIES, 1707-1982 by Robert P. Hamby

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**********JOHN MADISON SMILEY

(Son of the above)1871 - 1959

"Like his father, who was the first Superintendent of SwainCounty Schools, John Madison Smiley served Swain County as aleader in education for a long period of time. His teaching careerbegan early, and he served as County Superintendent for years. Hewas born in Swain County February 14, 1871, which was the year ofthe establishment of the County, and his education was obtained inthe common schools and regional institutes for teachers. He marriedEmma Woodard and to them were born four sons and one daughter.

The long period of service as Superintendent of Schools extendedfrom 1908 to 1921, favorable state legislation and able leadershipresulted in progress. Particular interest in high school work wasmanifested. A county-wide plan of administration and consolidationof districts began under his administration. At the close of his workas an educator, Smiley moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina, wherehe worked for the United States Government for twenty-five years.He died in Fayetteville, August 22, 1959, and was buried there."

ELDER GEORGE W. ORRb. February 18, 1845 - d. May 24, 1922

Elder George W. Orr was born in Pickens District, S.C., on Febru-ary 18, 1845. He died in Graham County, N.C. on May 24, 1922. Heand several members of his family are buried at the Lone Oak BaptistChurch Cemetery in Graham County, N.C. We know nothing of hisconversion and call to preach. He was married to Betsey EvelineColvin in Cherokee County, N.C. on May -, 1868. Betsey EvelineColvin Orr was born June 9, 1851 and died on November 13, 1933.Their children are as follows:1. Mary Jane Orr (Millsaps) - b. Feb. 18, 1869 - d.-2. James David Orr - b. May 11, 1871 - d. Dec. 3, 19383. Abija(h) Qulia) Orr - b. Dec. 15, 1873 - d.-4. William B. Orr -:- b. Jan. 8, 1875 - d. -5. Riley Orr - b. March 12, 1877 - d.-6. Martha Orr (Deceased) - b. Oct. 11, 1880 - d.-7. Margaret Orr - b. Aug. 20, 1883 - d. -8. Nannie Orr - b. April 6, 1885 - d.-9. Bart Orr - b. Jan. 18,1887 - d.-

10. William Orr - b. April 31, 1889 - d. -

11. George W. Orr - b. Sept. 112. Josephine Orr Qosie) - b.

Elder George W. Orr, was asee Cavalry, Union Army Voenlisted at Knoxville, TennessHis age was 18 years at thatCompany at Nashville, Tennea claim for pension on APickens District, South Carolition is listed as farmer and orM.D., examined the applicant

T.A. Carpenter, Clerk of tcertified that Elder George W.Some of the witnesses to his .Attorneys: T.H. Jenkins, ThPhillips. William Deaver was thwedding ceremony. John Powedding of George W. Orr and

He was ordained to theRobbinsville, N.C. on the sam1870. The ordaining council wand Washington Hooper.

His son, Riley Orr, servedone time. Elder George W.who died on Bear Creek JuneOrr Cemetery. George W. Orr1890 until the time of his deaa pension of $30 per month frfrom May 23, 1828 until her d

David W. Orr (spelled OhrThird Tennessee Mountedat Madisonville, Monroe Couwas never mustered into the1864 by the Confederates inAsheville, N.C., placed in jailTownship in Macon County, N.

Andrew W. Orr (spelledand David V. Orr, enlisted atNorth Carolina Infantry, Con1861. He was born in Pickensdischarged on July 15, 1862,

At the time of his ordinatiread nor write. Kind friendsAt one time he had a hog to

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11. George W. Orr - b. Sept. 13, 1891 - d.-12. Josephine Orr Qosie) - b.Jan. 1, 1894 - d.-

Elder George W. Orr, was a private in Company M, Eighth Tennes-see Cavalry, Union Army Volunteers, in the war of Rebellion. Heenlisted at Knoxville, Tennessee February 16, 1864, for three years.His age was 18 years at that time. He was mustered out with hisCompany at Nashville, Tennessee, on September 11, 1865. He fileda 'Claim for pension on August 4, 1890. He said he was born inPickens District, South Carolina, on February 18, 1845. His occupa-tion is listed as farmer and ordained Baptist Preacher. M.F. Maxwell,M.D., examined the applicant for pension in 1895.

T.A. Carpenter, Clerk of the Superior Court of Graham County,certified that Elder George W. Orr was an honest and upright citizen.Some of the witnesses to his identity were: R.B. Slaughter, Esquire,Attorneys: T.H. Jenkins, Thomas A. Morphew, and Robert L.Phillips. William Deaver was the Justice of Peace who performed hiswedding ceremony. John Posey Adams said he was present at thewedding of George W. Orr and Betsey Colvin.

He was ordained to the ministry at the "Old Mother Church" nearRobbinsville, N.C. on the same date as was Elder William Pruitt in1870. The ordaining council was composed of Elders William Morganand Washington Hooper.

His son, Riley Orr, served as Sheriff of Graham County, N.C. atone time. Elder George W. Orr was a brother of David (Dave) Orr,who died on Bear Creek June 18, 1912, and is buried at the DaveOrr Cemetery. George W. Orr drew a federal pension from the year1890 until the time of his death. Betsey Orr, his widow, was granteda pension of $30 per month from June 19, 1922 and $20 per monthfrom May 23,1828 until her death onJune 9,1951.

David W. Orr (spelled Ohr on Muster Roll) joined Company H,Third Tennessee Mounted Infantry, for 100 days, Union Volunteers,at Madisonville, Monroe County, Tennessee October 1, 1864, butwas never mustered into the service. He was captured on December 4,1864 by the Confederates in Monroe County. He was marched toAsheville, N.C., placed in jail but escaped. He was living in Welch'sTownship in Macon County, N.C. in 1870.

Andrew W. Orr (spelled Oar), another brother of George W. Orr,and David V. Orr, enlisted at Valley Town in Company D, 25thNorth Carolina Infantry, Confederate States Army, on June 1,1861. He was born in Pickens District of South Carolina. He wasdischarged on July 15, 1862, since he was only 15 years of age.

At the time of his ordination, Elder George W. Orr could neitherread nor write. Kind friends read for him and taught him to read.At one time he had a hog to die. He rendered the lard out of it and

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used it to make lights by which to study the Bible. He was a faithfulservant and God crowned his labors with great success. Through hispreaching many people have been converted and joined the churches.He served as pastor of several churches in Graham County and someadjoining counties. At one time an offering was received forBrother Orr, which amounted to fifty cents and some people said ~ewas preaching for money. God had better things for him and on the24th day of May, 1922, He called him home.

ELDER WILLIAM PRUITTb. April 8, 1850 - d. September 28, 1947

Elder William Andrew Pruitt, the son of William and Cinda MorrisPruitt, was born near the mouth of Stecoah Creek in Graham County,N.C. on April 9, 1850. Just before the war between the States thefamily moved to Tennessee and settled near Cumberland Gap. Hehas preached for more than half a century, to the people in thevalleys and coves of western North Carolina. Before he was con-verted, William A. Pruitt made white liquor, and was an accomplishedmusician. He played the "fiddle" (violin) for dances. After the warended the family moved back to Graham County from Tennessee.

At the age of seventeen, he was converted under the preaching ofElder Allen Ammons, a pioneer minister. He was baptized into thefellowship of Stecoah Baptist Church. He later moved his member-ship to Cheoah Church, known as the "Old Mother Church," nearRobbinsville. He was ordained to the Ministry by this Church at theage of twenty (about 1885-1886). The Ordaining Council was com-posed of Elders "Billy" (William) Morgan and Washington Hooper.

At the age of twenty Brother Pruitt was married to Miss EmilySheppard who was his constant companion until her death May 29,1939. She was totally blind for a period of thirteen years. Through-out his ministry he never received a salary sufficient to support him-self and his family. He earned his livelihood from his farm withlittle dependence from his churches for support. This was no. smalltask as he had a family of eleven children, which was later increasedby three dependent grandchildren. Through hard work and thrift hedid the task well and in the meantime provided for himself and wifea home in their old age.

His first pastorate was Sweetwater in Graham .County, where heconstituted a church and led in the building of a house of worship.During his long and active ministry he has served pastorates in half adozen counties. He has conducted Revival Meetings in Georgia,South Carolina, Tennessee and North Carolina. He has baptized morethan 3,000 people and has been instrumental in building more thana score of houses of worship. He served the following churches as

pastor: 'Buffalo,Creek in Graham CoDellwood, Maggie (Valleand West Canton in Hain Buncombe; Topton,Oak Grove, and PeachRiver, Double Branch,Addie and Balsam in

The life of a mountwas not an easy one. Athe way of a salary. Awas something seldompeople. The largestfrom Allen's Creekdifficulties to overcom300 miles a month inorous winter weather .would be frozen in theBrother Pruitt had butTwelve months wouldschools. He was a bpossessed some specialleader of men. Whenattention and respectmemory of those whocommunity in Westhas not preached.

This noble servanteternity on the Lord'sof his daughter, Mrs.companion are buriedHis age was 97 years,for 77 years and pastor

At the time of hisJohn Pruitt of HaPruitt of SwannanoaMrs. M.R. Caldwell of'ville, Mrs. Charles J orof Waynesville; 57great, great grandchilInstitute and formerson. He is a noble yo