George L. Gorton

GORTON, HERRICK, FRANK

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/13/2011 at 20:25:01

George L. Gorton, who follows farming on section 13, Estherville township, Emmet county, is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth occurring in Linn county, March 23, 1871, and he is the seventh in a family of ten children. His parents, Foster E. and Lucy (Herrick) Gorton, were born in New York and Ohio respectively and at an early day came to Iowa. It was in 1894 that they became residents of Estherville township, Emmet county, where the father purchased the southwest quarter of section 13, on which our subject now resides.

At the usual age George L. Gorton began his education in the district schools near his home, and he continued his studies until sixteen years of age. He then gave his father the benefit of his services until twenty-five, when he took charge of the home place and cared for his parents until they were called to the world beyond, the father dying in 1910 and the mother in 1909. They were buried in Oak hill cemetery near Estherville. George L. Gorton still lives on the homestead and in his farming operations has met with well merited success, being regarded as one of the substantial citizens of his community.

In 1901 Mr. Gorton was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Frank, a daughter of Henry and Katherine Frank, who came to this country from German in early life, the former settling in Emmet county, Iowa, and the latter in Dickinson county. Mr. Frank has passed away and is buried in Estherville, but his wife is still living and makes her home in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Gorton have two children, Ruth and Esther.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Gorton has affiliated with the republican party and for a number of years he efficiently served as township trustee. In religious faith he is a Methodist. He is a man of good business ability and as he thoroughly understands the occupation which he follows, is progressive and energetic, he has met with success in his farming operations and is today quite well-to-do.

Source: History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917.