Meeker County MN Archives Biographies.....Gorton, Milton 1822 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 8, 2020, 9:10 pm

Source: Alden, Ogle & Co.
Author: See Below

   MILTON GORTON. Foremost among the old pioneers of Meeker county, who yet remain
here, is the gentleman who is the subject of this memoir. Coming here in 1857, the
second year of the county’s existence, he has, more or less, been identified with
its history, ever since. He is a resident of the town of Forest City, on his farm on
section 29 and 30, which he preempted oh his arrival in this locality.

   Mr. Gorton was born in the county of Steuben, N. Y., May 22, 1822, and is the son
of Silas and Betsey (Spring) Gorton. both of whom were natives of the “Empire
State.” He was one of a family of nine children born to his parents, the others
being— Horatio, Betsey, Jane, Stephen D., Elmira, Hiram, William and Milo. Milo, a
member of a New York Begiment, was killed at the battle of Resaca, Ga.

   Our subject is the grandson of Peleg Gorton, one of the six proprietors of
Painted Post, N. Y., and was reared in that vicinity, and there received the
elements of a common school education. On the 3d of July, 1859, he was united in
marriage with Miss Harriett C. Marks, a native of New York State, also.

   At the time of the Indian outbreak, Mr. Gorton’s wife and he took refuge in
Forest City, and upon the memorable morning of the 23d of August, when nearly
everybody had fled from the county, Milton Gorton was one of the little band of
heroes who remained to make a stand at Forest City, in defense of their homes, as
detailed in the history of the massacre in this volume. Mr. Gorton lost heavily by
these troubles, the Sioux burning his house and its contents, and destroying
everything else that they could about the place. He has, however, fully recovered
from the setback, and is one of the large land owners and prosperous farmers of the
county, owning over a full section of some of the best land in the town of Forest
City.

   Mr. Gorton, having no children of his own, adopted Ida A. Fergerson, when she was
but five years of age. She was born April 17, 1873, and is the daughter of George
Fergerson.

  Our subject is a stanch republican in his political views, but has had but little
desire for political preferment, although he has, at times, been induced to accept
several town offices.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
Illustrated Album of Biography
Meeker and McLeod Counties, Minnesota
1888


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