1861 personal census, Gosfield Twp, Essex Co., ON, 4-9:
Orton John, M, Married, 24, born UC, Universalist, Farmer;
Maria, F, Married, 21, born UC, Universalist;
Hasvilla S., F, Single, 2, born UC.
Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers & Co., Toronto, 1905, p. 297-298:
Martin Van Buren Orton, a farmer and stock-raiser of the 4th Concession of Mersea township, is a well-known citizen of that section, and a descendant of one of the oldest families of the county, where for several generations it has been identified with the development of Gosfield township.
The family is of English extraction, but its home has been in America for the past 250 years. The first of the family in Western Canada was Zenas Orton, a native of Connecticut, where many of the name still reside.
The late John Orton, son of Zenas and father of Martin, was born in Gosfield township, on the Orton homestead, Sept. 29, 1836. There his education was procured in the best schools of the locality and he grew up a farmer boy, settling at maturity on a fifty-acre tract of land on Sandwich street. This he worked for six years, and then sold it to come to Mersea township, where he bought a tract of land on Concession 4, consisting of 120 acres. On this he built a log house, and began his pioneering life. A severe cold terminated his life, eight years later, before he had accomplished all he had planned to do. His death was a severe loss to the township, as he was a man of sterling traits of character and commanded the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He filled the office of councillor for several years, and his influence was felt whenever important measures were brought up for consideration. He assisted greatly in the laying out of the roads and concessions in what is known to-day as the Point Pelee Marsh, the most fertile agricultural region in all the Dominion. He took an active part in educational affairs, and was a strong supporter of the public school system, filling with the greatest efficiency the office of school trustee.
In Gosfield township Mr. Orton married Maria Irwin, who was born in Mersea township, daughter of William Irwin. Mr. Orton's death left seven children fatherless. They were reared and educated by their noble mother. Arvilla Cecilia became the wife of James Jeffery, of Gosfield township. Darius was killed accidentally by a saw at the home of Jacob Fox, March 27, 1894, and was buried in the Lake View cemetery; he left a widow, Laura Quick Orton, and three children, Stanley, Vera and Jennie. Martin Van B., born Aug. 10, 1863, is mentioned below. Herman died young. Emily A. married Scott White, son of George White, of Mersea township. Thaddeus S. is a prominent citizen of Yellow Grass, N.W.T., where he is a coal and lumber merchant, mayor and police justice. Otto Bismark, of Vancouver, B.C., is a millwright.
Too much credit cannot be given to the faithful mother for her efforts to provide for her children and to secure for them the advantages which their father would have desired them to enjoy.
Martin Van Buren Orton was but ten years of age when he was bereft of a kind and protecting father. He remained with his mother, and has been engaged in farming since early youth. He is making preparations to make many improvements upon the homestead, and is building great barn whose stone foundations look as if they were destined to stand for generations. When completed his buildings will be among the finest in the neighbourhood. He carries on a general line of farming, raises much fruit and gives considerable attention to first-class stock.
In politics Mr. Orton is a Liberal, and fraternally he belongs to the K.O.T.M. at Leamington. Always temperate and industrious, he has made a success of his life. His filial care of his mother shows an admirable trait of character. With her he is an attendent of the services of the Baptist church, of which she has long been a consistent member.
John
Orton
Arvilla Cecilia Orton 1860-
Version 6.08 Copyright © 1998-2016