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Arenac Independent, April 1939
Transcriber, date unknown
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     Johnson (Johnsie) Orr, 62 years old, passed away suddenly at his home in Standish Friday morning, following a brief heart attack. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon from Grace Episcopal church. Rev. Walter Fry officiating. Burial took place in the family lot at Sterling. Mr. Orr's death came at 7:45 at his home. He had arisen from his bed in the morning and was about the home in the act of aiding in preparing his breakfast when taken with distress. He was assisted by Mrs. Orr and given relief at once and when he failed to make immediate improvement, Dr. R. P. Gunn was called, but was unable to give any aid as the heart attack came too suddenly and he passed away while lying down on a davenport. He had been in ill at times during the past few years, but was always active and non-complaining.
Pioneer of County
     Mr. Orr was one of the pioneer men of this county. Born in Caradoc, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada, May 29, 1877, he came to Deep River Township with his parents at the age of eight years. When but a young man about 16 he started work in the lumber woods in the vicinity of the AuSable river for the Loud Company and worked his way to the position of foreman. He was active in cutting timber all along the route of the AuSable in the vicinity of Oscoda, AuSable, Glennie, and Fariview and was head man in the construction of the  AuSable & Northwestern narrow gauge railroad. He later became a on this same line for a brief period. It was during this time of railroading that he received a serious injury to his back when a heavy timber rolled over him.
Followed Highway Construction Work.
     After he discontinued his work in the woods and on the railroad, Mr. Orr took up the building of highways. It was he who constructed the first improved highway between Standish and Pinconning, having the contract to gravel old M-10 from Standish to Worth. He was also instrumental in building a large portion of the first improved highway on what is now M-55. The first improved highway in Arenac County, on what is known as the Melita hill, was begun by Mr. Orr. Illness overcame him before he was able to complete the job, however, and it was finished under the direction of Peter Seator, then highway commissioner of Deep River Township. It was on January 14, 1903, that Mr. Orr and Miss Edith Southworth were married at Deep River. In 1918 the Orr family moved to Standish and have resided there ever since. It was after his contracting work that he was named superintendent of maintenance of the Arenac County Road Commission which he filled in an efficient manner for six years when he became affiliated with a new local oil distributing company, the Standard Oil Company, in 1929 and later became manager of the Trading Post wholesale department in 1930. He was instrumental in aiding to build up the fine reputation The Trading Post now  enjoys and his absence from that institution will be keenly felt by his associates as well as the traveling public and local people. Mr. Orr was vice president of the Standish Oil Company at the time of his death.
Was Outstanding Baseball Player.
     During his young manhood days, Mr. Orr was an outstanding local baseball player, being a member of the famed Irish Athletic Club, a group of Deep River baseball players who had no fear of any team in this section. He usually occupied the position of catcher. He was always deeply interested in the sport as well as high school basketball. 
     Mr. Orr was a member of the local Masonic Order, Bowring Lodge No. 414, F & A.M., and of late had keenly enjoyed its usual gatherings. The funeral services at the grave were conducted by the Masonic order. During his residence in Standish he represented his city as supervisor for several terms. Mr. Orr is survived by his widow, and eight children: Miss Gladys Orr, Detroit; Mrs. Frank Nuttall, Mrs. James Anthony, Howard, Chester, attending Michigan State College, Lyle, Russell and Robert, Standish, one sister, Mrs. Frank Cardinal, Saginaw; two brothers, William, Flint; and Judson., Saginaw.