Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer

Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer - ORTON, Family, The

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Pioneer - The ORTON Family

Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County

Information from: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906

ORTON, Family, The . The Ortons have a record as a family of medical practitioners, as the late Dr. Henry Orton, Sr., as well as having a father and two brothers doctors in England, and four sons, all of whom were medical doctors.

Henry Orton was b. at Kegsworth, Eng., 1805, attended Rugby, and after a course in medicine, was on the London Hospital staff, attaining the much coveted M.R.C.S. distinction. He practised at Beeston, in Nottingham, Eng., until 1834, when he came with his family to America, stopping in New York for a short time, later coming to Toronto, where he left them for the winter; he going to Guelph, walking a part of the way, and making the journey under difficulties little understood in our time, arriving in Guelph in the early winter of 1835. He at once proceeded to erect a building, and in April, 1836, moved his family to Guelph. Here he practised his profession until 1854, when he moved to Hespler (New Hope), and after practising there for four years returned to England for nearly three years. On his return he practised with his son Richard in Quebec Street. He finally retired to Fergus with his son George, where he d. in 1869, aged 64. He m. Mary Jerram, who d. in 1858, in England. Issue: Ann (d. 26), Thomas Jerram, b. 1830; Henry, b. 1832; Mary , b. 1835, Toronto, m. William Grain, Fergus; George Turner, b. 1837; Richard, b. 1839.

Thomas Jerram was educated at Upper Canada College, and Toronto University; became Surgeon Major in the Royal Artillery, and received clasps and medals for services at Sebastopol, Redan and India.

Richard was educated at Guelph Grammar School and graduated in medicine form Toronto University in 1863. After practising for a short time in Guelph with his father, he removed to Morriston, and there practised until 1882, when he took a post graduate course in London hospitals, and then returned to Guelph and practised there until his death in 1892.

George Turner, b. 1837, educated at Guelph Grammar School, College of Surgeons, Dublin, and University of St. Andrew's, Scot., securing his M.D. degree in 1860, and later M.R.C.S. After practising for two years with his brother Henry at Ancaster, he located at Fergus. Here he took a deep interest in politics, and was one of the strongest men of the Conservative party in Centre Wellington. He has been called the "Wet Nurse of the N. P." In 1882, in a memorable contest he defeated Sir. Richard Cartwright and took his seat at Ottawa. In 1883 he went to Winnipeg and was surgeon to the famous 90th with General Middleton. He was later raised to Surgeon Major, and was at Fish Creek and Batoche. He was chief medical officer to the C. P. R. in 1884-5, and on going to B. C. , was made Coroner. He d. 1901.

Henry, b. Beeston, Eng., 1832, came to Canada with his parents. He was educated at the Guelph public schools and grammar school and was an honor graduate in medicine at Trinity College, Toronto. After a post graduate course at Jefferson College, Philadelphia, he practised with his father at Hespler until 1857, when he moved to Ancaster, and there practised until his death in 1882. He was a Conservative, and a member of the Anglican church. We quote from a local paper, which said of him: "Foremost in every public charity and philanthropic enterprise. The widow, the orphan, and all needy in any way will miss a helper ever ready to assist and advise." In 1859 he m. Annie Bush, of Ancaster, who still survives him, and lives in Guelph. Surviving issue: Laura A. m. Dr. Wm. J. Robinson, Guelph; Thomas Henry; Henry George, farmer, Barton Tp.

Thomas H., b. 1863, at Ancaster, was educated at Hamilton Grammar School under the late J. M. Buchan and George Dickson, Past Principals of U. C. C.; also at Wentworth Boys School, under Canon C. L. Worrell, now Bishop of Nova Scotia; graduated in medicine from McGill University in 1886, and after post-graduate work in London, Vienna and Dublin hospitals, returned to Hamilton and practised there one year, but his health demanding a change of climate, he practised for three years in Florida, and then two years at Caledonia Springs. In 1892 he came to Guelph to his present location on Essex Street, and her continues his general practice, being noted for the same traits of character which made the Orton family generally, and his father particularly so well liked. He m. Susannah F., second dau of William Reynolds, County Treasurer, Guelph. She is deceased, leaving one dau. Eleanor Frances.

From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto:Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906