Mr and Mrs George W Gorton

Exerpt from Tosoiba:  "Sparkling Waters"

Published by Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Camp Meads
Soda Springs, Idaho.  1958. p 251-253.

George W Gorton was born on March 3, 1846 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, son of Job P and Deborah Sweet Gorton.  He was a descendant of Samuel Gorton of Providence, Rhode Island, who helped Roger Williams in the colonization of Rhode Island.

George Gorton served in the Union Infantry and Pennsylvania Cavalry during the Civil War.  He came to Soda Springs at the close of the conflict and was employed at the Oneida Salt Works, first as bookkeeper, and later as superintendent of the plant.

On November 3, 1877, George W Gorton married Leah Waylett, daughter of William and Sarah Waylett of Malad, Idaho.  He took his bride to live at his home in "Lower Town."  In 1889 he purchased the merchandise and business of Hezekiah Moore & Company and established Gorton's Wholesale & Retail Supply Store.  This store is the present Stockmen's Supply.  Later he purchased the Louie Ardner Saloon, which was housed in the present warehouse south of the railroad track.  The Gorton family moved from "Lower Town" to a home near the store in Soda Springs.  This house was moved and is now located directly east of the C G Rose building and is the oldest home still in use in town.

The children in this family were:  Henry, Mable, Gettie (Daisy), Edith and Georgia, (died at seven months), Deborah, George, Ralph and Rees (twins), Jay P, and Kenneth.  The diphtheria epidemic of 1890 brought tragedy to this home as well as many other homes.  Within two weeks all the girls succumbed to the epidemic.  They were buried in what is now Fairview Cemetery.  This cemetery ground was given to the city by Mr. and Mrs. Gorton.

George W Gorton was a deputy United States Marshal under Governor Fred T Dubois, and held positions of County Commissioner, County Treasurer and Assessor, school trustee, and assumed many civic responsibilities.  He was Representative in the State legislature when Soda Springs was a part of Bingham County.  Through the efforts of Mr. Gorton, Soda Springs was incorporated as a village in 1896 and he served as one of the first village trustees.  He was a member of the Odd Fellow's Order, and affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Idaho Falls.

George W Gorton died January 6, 1899 at the age of fifty-two in San Diego, California.  Mrs. Leah Gorton was left with the general store, which the eldest son, Henry, managed for twenty-four years.  The ranch, ten miles north of Soda Springs, was managed by her son, George.  Ralph is County Treasurer and Rees served as Auditor's Clerk, until his death, December 1955.

The Gorton family were stockholders in the Bank of Soda Springs.  Mrs. Gorton was the bank's first depositor.  She was active in lodge work, being a charter member of the Leah Rebecca Lodge, Woman's Benefit Association, War Mothers and American Legion Auxiliary.  She was also prominent in political and civic affairs.

Leah Waylett Gorton was born at Salt Lake City in 1855 and died in Soda Springs on November 20, 1932.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Gorton are buried in Soda Springs Fairview Cemetery.