[782] received most grateful recognition of his services from them after the war. A convention was called in 1865, and the constitution provided that the governor should be elected by the people, instead of by the legislature, as theretofore. James L. Orr was elected governor and entered upon the discharge of his duties November 29, 1865. No courts had been held for months and a state of anarchy existed, but by Governor Orr's firmness, good common sense and fairness, order was restored, and everything indicated peace and prosperity; but the reconstructionist acts took effect, and the country was put under military rule, the civil functions of the State government being paralyzed. Early in 1867 he ascertained from leaders in Congress that if the Southern States would grant qualified suffrage to the negroes, that universal suffrage would not be forced upon them, and he tried his best to have it done, in his State, but without success. During 1866 and 1867 he was grand master of Masons in South Carolina. At the close of his term as governor, and without his knowledge, he being away from the State, he was elected circuit judge, and filled the position with ability and fairness until December, 1872, when he resigned to accept the position of envoy and minister plenipotentiary of the United States to Russia. He reached St. Petersburg early in February, 1873, finding seven feet of snow on the ground. The change of climate from his home was so great, and the exposure incurred in the journey and in making the tremendous number of official visits proved too much for his constitution, and what was thought at first to be merely a severe cold terminated in pneumonia, and proved fatal on May 5, 1873. His remains were brought to Anderson and buried. In 1843 he married Miss Mary J. Marshall, who is still living, and at the time of his death the following children survived him: Martha O. Patterson, James L., Dr. Samuel M., Mary and Christopher Hugh.
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[782] received most grateful recognition of his services from them after the war. A convention was called in 1865, and the constitution provided that the governor should be elected by the people, instead of by the legislature, as theretofore. James L. Orr was elected governor and entered upon the discharge of his duties November 29, 1865. No courts had been held for months and a state of anarchy existed, but by Governor Orr's firmness, good common sense and fairness, order was restored, and everything indicated peace and prosperity; but the reconstructionist acts took effect, and the country was put under military rule, the civil functions of the State government being paralyzed. Early in 1867 he ascertained from leaders in Congress that if the Southern States would grant qualified suffrage to the negroes, that universal suffrage would not be forced upon them, and he tried his best to have it done, in his State, but without success. During 1866 and 1867 he was grand master of Masons in South Carolina. At the close of his term as governor, and without his knowledge, he being away from the State, he was elected circuit judge, and filled the position with ability and fairness until December, 1872, when he resigned to accept the position of envoy and minister plenipotentiary of the United States to Russia. He reached St. Petersburg early in February, 1873, finding seven feet of snow on the ground. The change of climate from his home was so great, and the exposure incurred in the journey and in making the tremendous number of official visits proved too much for his constitution, and what was thought at first to be merely a severe cold terminated in pneumonia, and proved fatal on May 5, 1873. His remains were brought to Anderson and buried. In 1843 he married Miss Mary J. Marshall, who is still living, and at the time of his death the following children survived him: Martha O. Patterson, James L., Dr. Samuel M., Mary and Christopher Hugh.
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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