Born at Cumbaslang, Lanark, Scotland. Lived with family near Nauvoo when the Saints began arriving from Missouri. Joined the Church. Moved with his family to Great Salt LakeCity in 1847. Moved to Provo in 1849. Went as captain of thirty-five families to California in 1850. Owned an inn at Salmon Falls near the American River, near Sacramento, California. Remained in California until his death at Shingle Springs in Eldorado County, California (Lillie Jane Orr Taylor, Life History of Thomas Orr, Jr., [n.p.: The Author, 1930].)