Founded by the Orr family from Cowcaddens, Glasgow, Scotland, Orrville began with the establishment of its first post office in 1858. The Orrs sold several tracts of land to families such as the Eathertons. A general store and post office operated by Hoppenberg and Fick, a blacksmith shop, a wagon-making shop, the Orrville School, and a 'modern and splendid' mill all existed here. The mill contributed to the town's development and established Orrville as a trading center in west St. Louis County. Notable early settlers included William Parks Bacon, physician R.G. Coleman, blacksmith Christian Hohman, wagonmaker Henry Kessellring, Gustav Hoppenberg, and Phillip A. Fick.