Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee 1887
Biographies of Weakley County
| Biographies – O |
| Robert A. ORRELL�S birth occurred in King William’s County, Va., March 30, 1836. His parents’, Thomas and Mary Ann (Tuck) Orrell’s, family consisted of four children, two of whom are living: William J., and our subject, who were reared under the paternal roof, and received little or no early educational advantages. In 1856 Robert united his fortunes with those of Margaret Rasdal, who was born in Gibson County, October 5, 1836, and died February 27, 1886, leaving the following family: William Thomas, George M., John F., Fannie Bell, Elizabeth Ellen, Rufus E., Arminta G., Marion V., Jeff Davis, James K. and three other children deceased. Mr. Orrell farmed in Arkansas about six years and then came to Weakley County and purchased fifty-eight acres of land, on which he located and has since resided. By skillful management and industry he now owns 220 acres. In 1862 he joined Company E, Fourth Arkansas Battalion, and participated in some of the principal battles of the late war. He was captured at Perryville, Ky., and taken to Louisville, but was paroled after one week. He is a Democrat in politics, and James Buchanan received his first presidential vote. His father was born in King William’s County, Va., in 1775. He married Elizabeth Taylor when about twenty two years of age. She died in 1834, and he then married Mary Tuck. The father came to Montgomery County, Tenn., in 1842. He made farming his calling through life, and died in 1857. His wife was born in 1816, and is now living with our subject. |
