Orton, the son of Cornelius K. (the founder of Ortonville) and Augusta Orton, was born in Ortonville on March 7, 1872 or 1874, the first white child born in the town. No additional information could be located on Orton, other than that he later owned and operated Orton Fruit Orchard, Algona, Iowa. His death date could not be located.
The year of his birth is in question. In a letter to the Minnesota Historical Society (1958) he gave his birth date as 1872. The letter also gave the date of the composition of the reminiscences as 1928. In published sources his birth date is given as 1874. From information in the 1880 and 1885 census records, the date as reckoned as 1874.
From the guide to the Clark W. Orton, A boys [sic] life on the frontier, [1928]., (Minnesota Historical Society)
