George Turner Orton

George Turner Orton (January 19 1837 – November 14 1901) was a physician and political figure in Ontario, Canada. He represented Wellington Centre in the Canadian House of Commons from 1874 to 1887 as a Liberal-Conservative.

He was born in Guelph, Ontario, the son of Dr. Henry Orton, who came to Upper Canada from England, and Mary Jerram. He studied medicine at the College of Surgeons in Dublin and the University of St Andrews in Scotland. After practicing in England, Orton returned to Ancaster, Ontario where he set up practice with his brother T.J. Orton, later moving to Fergus. He served as surgeon for the county militia. Orton ran unsuccessfully for a federal seat in 1872. In 1883, he moved to Winnipeg. Orton was surgeon for a brigade which served during the North-West Rebellion. He also served as medical officer for the Canadian Pacific Railway and coroner for British Columbia. Orton married Ann Farmer. He was defeated in a bid for reelection in 1887. Orton also served as reeve for Fergus. In 1888, he was named medical officer for the federal Department of Indian Affairs.

The community of Orton, Ontario was named in his honour.

References

* [http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx?Item=8da892f3-48e7-494a-9a39-65add0cdca31&Language=E Synopsis of federal political experience from the Library of Parliament]
* [http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/mtq?doc=32958 "The Canadian parliamentary companion, 1885" JA Gemmill]
* [http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/mtq?doc=91595 "A Cyclopæedia of Canadian biography being chiefly men of the time ...", GM Rose (1886)]
* [http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/orton_gt.shtml Biography, Manitoba Historical Society]