Gallatin County MT Archives Obituaries.....Orton, Alfred Wallace February 9, 1928
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Bozeman Daily Chronicle, February 10, 1928
“Early Pioneer On Last Trail
A.W. Orton Passes Peacefully at His Home After Illness of Only a Few Months.

A.W. Orton [Alfred Wallace Orton], a pioneer who came to Montana as a boy in 
1864 and for more than 35 years has been engaged in business in Bozeman, served 
as alderman of the city, the last of the pioneer prints of Montana, a past 
president of the Society of Montana Pioneers, died at his home in The Evergreen 
apartments Thursday morning, February 9, after an illness of only a few 
months.  Treatments of a special nature failed to afford permanent relief and 
though he suffered keenly at times, his mind was clear almost to the end and he 
passed away peacefully about 7:40.

Funeral services will be held at the Dokken-Getchell chapel Sunday afternoon 
[February 12] at one o’clock, and interment will be in the family plot in the 
Bozeman cemetery.

Early Day Printer

Alfred Wallace Orton was a son of the late James C[hristopher] and Paulona 
Orton.  He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, July 8, 1855.  With his parents, 
he crossed the plains from Council Bluffs in 1864, arriving in Virginia City 
May 17.  At the age of 12, Al began his experiences as a printer’s devil in the 
office of one of the pioneer newspapers.  In 1871, he accompanied the late 
Major J. P. Bruce to Bozeman, where he worked for the Avant Courier for a few 
years and then went back to Virginia City, where he was for a few years a 
regular printer in the office of the Madisonian.  He prized in his later years, 
a photograph taken in 1874, when he was a member of the office force in front 
of the Madisonian building.

In Music Business

He was married September 22, 1882 to Maria De Booth, in Salt Lake City.  They 
spent a short time in Bozeman, and then went to Butte, where Mr. Orton and his 
brothers organized a band and conducted a roller skating rink, the band helping 
materially in attracting the skaters.  They also played for theatres, and 
through their love of music, inherited in a measure from their father, a 
pioneer violinist, they started the music store in Butte, and later had stores 
in other parts of Montana, Bozeman being among these cities.  In 1890, Al Orton 
and his wife came back to Bozeman, where he has since made his home.  His first 
wife died of influenza, May 5, 1919.  For a number of years he was manager of 
the Orton Brothers’ music store in Bozeman, which is at present under the 
management of his son.

His second marriage to Mrs. Minerva N. Hickox took place in Butte, June 1, 
1921, and they have made their home in Bozeman, for the past few years in The 
Evergreens.  In 1926, at the meeting of the Society of Montana Pioneers, Mr. 
Orton was elected president, having been an active member of the organization 
for many years.  He served in the office one year.  He was a member of the 
Pioneeers’ Society of Gallatin county, and will be especially missed at the 
annual re-union of this organization, as he has played the piano at many of 
these gatherings while his old violin, brought across the plains by his father, 
was played by Marsh Nelson, another pioneer.  He had many friends throughout 
the state.

Surviving Relatives

He is survived by two daughters and one son, Mrs. Harry L. Smith of Bozeman, 
Mrs. Viola Orton Williams of San Francisco, and Wallace A. Orton of Bozeman.  
He leaves five grandchildren.  Of his six brothers organizing the band in 
Butte, three are living, Will C. Orton and Walter S. Orton of Butte and James 
Orton of Los Angeles.  All four brothers were together in Butte when Al was 
there a few months ago, and the two brothers from Butte have visited him in 
Bozeman during his illness.  James is on his way from California, and the 
others will be here with him for the funeral.” END

Additional Comments:
Bozeman Daily Chronicle, February 10, 1928 (Friday)

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