Horr Dennis

Orville Horr and Mahala Caroline Dennis

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Orville Horr of Horr McKee married Mahala Caroline Dennis of Dennis Moore? in 1872 in neighboring McDonough?, Illinois. They were both born in Fulton County, Illinois around 1852 to 1853 as were most of their siblings and many of their nieces and nephews. But their short time together seemed to have some movement across state lines as well.

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The Children

Serilda C Farris (nee Horr) born 1874 in Kansas
Cora S (nee Horr) born 1876 in Fulton County, Illinois
Jesse Horr born 1879 in Fulton County, Illinois

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Change in the early years

Serilda was born in Octoebr, 1873 in Kansas where many in the Horr extended family moved around this time. This after both parents were born and raised in Fulton County, Illinois and married there in 1872. Cora and Jesse were born back in Fulton in 1876 and 1879; respectively. So not much time was spent in Kansas.

In the 1880 census, Orville lists his trade as a Teamster. Likely a Stage Coach driver or possibly just horse trainer, wagon driver or even Pony Express rider like his brother.

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Disruption and Unknowns

In 1889, we find Mahala getting married to an Albert Hunnicutt in Keokuk, Iowa just an hours drive away today due West and across the river. Albert was married with at least two kids in Fulton County, Illinois before. What was the real cause of all this we do not know.

The next we find of anyone is Mahala a widow in Rock Island, Illinois (Davenport, Iowa) and Orville living with his nephew in Keokuk, Iowa — both in the 1900 census. What happened in the intervening 20 years is unknown.

We do believe Serilda married Edwin Ferris and had a daughter named Ruth. This turns out to be the circus connection with Jesse. We have not tracked Cora down yet. Jesse has been recorded elsewhere as we developed his story.

We know from Jesse's grandkids that they visited Kutztown, Pennsylvania a few times — appears to be between Allentown and Reading in Eastern PA. Some relative of Jesse's. Could this be his sister Cora? We have as yet to understand this.

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Unexpected Loss

Orville was visiting his brother Jasper in Butler, Missouri in 1904 when he had an unexpected heart attack at the young age of 54. He is buried there along with his father Peter who died while visiting Jasper in 1894 at the age of 74. They are the only two family members buried in Missouri as the family left for Kansas shortly after.

We have not found any record of Mahala after the 1905 census in Burlington, Iowa where she appears with Jesse, his wife Sadie, and their first born Walter. By September, 1905 Jesse is in Cleveland as their daughter Mildred is born there.

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