March 17, 2014

Oscar M. Gorton, second son of Sarah Camp (Gorton) Worden

Orson's brother, Oscar Gorton, also made his living as a wagon maker for many years, until the automobile stole away the need for wagons.  But, just as his brother did, Oscar found an alternative occupation - he grew hops to be used in the making of beer.  This area of New York was known for this industry, and it seemed that Oscar thrived as a farmer.
 
Born in 1837, he died in December, 1924, and his obituary appeared in the Waterville Times on December 19, 1924 on page 6.

"North Brookfield.  
Oscar M. Gorton, Prominent Resident, Dies At His Home
North Brookfield, December 18.  The funeral of Oscar M. Gorton, who died at his home here Sunday, was held at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon from his late residence.  Sanger Lodge No. 129, F & A M, Waterville, conducted the Masonic services.  Mr. Gorton was the oldest member of the lodge.

Born in 1837, in Adams, Jefferson county, son of Samuel Gorton, whose father was an early settler in New York from Rhode Island, Oscar Gorton spent most of his early life in the Gorton Hill neighborhood near Brookfield.
Mr. Gorton was a wagon maker by trade, following the occupation for more than a quarter of a century.  He also engaged in farming to some extent, raising hops and other produce.  Mr. Gorton began work as a wagon maker in 1858 at a salary of $7 per month, boarding himself.  He worked for Fitch & Boone, as well as two other factories, including one operated by his brother, Oscar [*Orson] S. Gorton. When horses and carriages lost their prominence as conveyances for pleasure seekers, Mr. Gorton abandoned his trade and became a hop farmer.

Mr. Gorton was always a staunch Republican, casting his first ballot for Lincoln in 1860, and always thereafter voted a straight Republican ticket.  Though interested in public affairs,he never held any political office, but was appointed a member of the Board of Education and its treasurer when the new school was built.
During the Civil War, he enlisted in the New York State militia, drilling at Eaton and Sherburne.  He joined the Masons in 1865, being a member of Sanger Lodge at Waterville.  He attended the Baptist church.

In 1863, Mr. Gorton was united in marriage to Miss Helen Burdick of North Brookfield, who survives him.  He was always deeply interested in ornithology and had collected a large number of stuffed birds as a hobby.  He was a thrifty, thorough going, business man, being successful in every venture.  Mr. Gorton was a man of truth and veracity, honorable and upright in all his dealings, tending strictly to his own business and working hard at it.  He possessed a large circle of friends who will mourn his demise, knowing they have lost a true friend."

And in The DeRuyter Gleaner, DeRuyter, New York, December 25, 1924:
"Oscar Gorton, 87, native of Adams, Jefferson County, one of Madison County's prominent hop growers in the days before prohibition, died at his home in North Brookfield Sunday afternoon.  For twenty-five years he was a wagon maker."


Brookfield Cemetery, Madison County, New York

I have found no evidence that Oscar and Helen had any children.

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