South Carolina Governors – James Lawrence Orr, 1865-1868

South Carolina SC History SC Governors Governor James Lawrence Orr

Biographical Overview Born: May 12, 1822 in Craytonville, South Carolina Died: May 5, 1873 in St. Petersburg, Russia Buried: Presbyterian Cemetery in Anderson, South Carolina Religion: Presbyterian Political Party: Conservative	James Lawrence Orr Courtesy of South Caroliniana Library
Education University of Virginia at Charlottesville - graduated 1842
Occupations Lawyer Editor

Major Events and Accomplishments, 1865–1868

• 1865 – Orr was the first governor of South Carolina to be elected by popular vote
  
• 1867-1868 – The Reconstruction Acts were in effect in South Carolina
  
• 1868 – A new state Constitution was adopted
  

Other Government Positions

• South Carolina House of Representatives, 1844-1848
  
• US House of Representatives, 1849-1859
  
• Confederate States Senate, 1861-1865
  
• US Minister to Russia, 1872-1873
  

Other Accomplishments, Honors, Distinctions

• 1861 – Orr was one of three delegates sent to Washington, DC to avert war with the Union and arrange for the transfer of control of federal property in South Carolina to the state government
  

Web Resources

• Biographical information - US Congress
  
• Papers - South Caroliniana Library
  
• Listing of records available at SC Archives and History Center
  

Election Results