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Henry J. Orton By Gary H. Jones |
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In 1854, Alanson F. Orton, born 1821, in Glens Falls, Warren Co., NY, left NY with his older brother Henry J., born 1818, to start the Newaygo Lumber Co. In 1853 the original Newaygo Co. was formed at Glen's Falls, NY. Alanson and his brother worked the NY canal system as boatman prior to settling in MI.
Alanson married Martha M. Bennett, daughter of Cyrus Bennett on Oct. 20, 1856. Henry married his wife, Lydia Gregory of Glens Falls on March 27, 1845 and brought her with him to MI. Along with others, the Ortons were instrumental in developing the lumber industry along the Muskegon River, building one of the state's largest sawmills and several dams.
Alanson died in Muskegon on October 17, 1873, Henry died in Newaygo on March 27, 1891.
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