He was educated in the public schools and probably in architecture in the office of his elder brother, George W. Orff.
The elder Orff left Bangor in the winter of 1878, settling in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the spring of 1879.
Orff then continued to practice independently until 1912, when he retired due to declining health.
[1][2] After his brother's retirement, Orff primarily focused on public buildings, in particular courthouses and schools.
[1] A number of his works are listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places.