Joseph Kyle Orr was born in New York City on February 21, 1857. After completing the public schools he entered the College of the City of New York in 1870. In 1873 he moved to Columbus, Georgia, and in 1884 organized the J. K. Orr Shoe Company. In 1897 the firm was removed to Atlanta, where it developed into one of the largest manufacturing plants in the South.
Sir Knight Orr never held any political office, but kept up an active interest in civic and educational work. He was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, and a member of the Board of Georgia Peabody College for Teachers at Nashville, Tennessee. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta. In October 1883, he married Miss Frances Bradly of Oswickey, Alabama, and two children were born to them.
He died on September 18, 1938. On that Sunday he had attended church services as was his custom. Later he attended a meeting to arrange for the purchase of a site for a Negro Boy Scout Camp. Soon after leaving there, he passed away suddenly. The funeral was held on September 20 at North Avenue Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Richard 0. Flinn officiating. Orr had been an Elder in this church for many years. The funeral was attended by many prominent Sir Knights of the Grand Commandery of Georgia. Interment was in West View Cemetery.
Sir Knight Orr became a Master Mason in Mount Hermon Lodge No. 304 at Columbus, Georgia, in May 1878. A few years later he served as Worshipful Master.
He was exalted in Darby Chapter No. 7 at Columbus, Georgia, in 1882. He was greeted in Jason Burr Council in Atlanta in 1905. He received the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Atlanta Consistory in November 1910. He was a member of Yaarab Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
He was knighted in St. Aldemar Commandery No. 3 at Columbus, Georgia, in January 1883 and was Eminent Commander in 1887. The same year he was elected Warder in the Grand Commandery of Georgia. He was Grand Commander in 1895.
At the Triennial Conclave in San Francisco in 1904 he was appointed Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Encampment and in 1919 was elected Grand Master.
During his term as Grand Master, the Knights Templar Educational Foundation was established. It was his great joy throughout the remaining years of his life to watch its progress and accomplishments, as well as his pleasure to be able by his wise advice to assist in furthering this splendid work.
He was knighted in St. Aldemar Commandery No. 3 at Columbus, Georgia, in January 1883 and was Eminent Commander in 1887. The same year he was elected Warder in the Grand Commandery of Georgia. He was Grand Commander in 1895.
At the Triennial Conclave in San Francisco in 1904 he was appointed Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Encampment and in 1919 was elected Grand Master.
During his term as Grand Master, the Knights Templar Educational Foundation was established. It was his great joy throughout the remaining years of his life to watch its progress and accomplishments, as well as his pleasure to be able by his wise advice to assist in furthering this splendid work.Reference: From Dr. Francis J. Scully's...History of the Grand Encampment, Chapter XXIII, Biographies Of The Grand Masters, as published in the Knight Templar Magazine, January 1995 Edition, page 16, and the January 1995 Edition, page 16
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