George William Gorton, eldest son of Samuel (5) Gorton, was born February 4, 1826, and died January 14, 1914. A son of a farmer, he early learned to bear a hand, and at the age of six years could aid in the milking. At the age of eighteen he began learning the machinist's trade, and until 1857 he followed that trade at Manville and Valley Falls. In the latter year he afterward was employed in Pawtucket on fire engine construction, but the Civil War caused the shop to close and for a time he was employed in making handcuffs. In 1863 he opened a meat market in Pawtucket, which he successfully conducted for thirty years. He retired October 13, 1893, and lived a quiet, comfortable life upon the proceeds of the business he founded and conducted so long. He was a Republican in politics, served on the Board of Licence Commission five years, was a member of Rough & Ready and Hay Cart companies of the Old Pawtucket Fire Department and rendered efficient service. He married, May 20, 1840, Almeda Tillinghast, born September 27, 1823, died January 23, 1909, daughter of Pardon and Sarah (Waite) Tillinghast, of South Killingly, Conn., Tillinghast being an old and honored Rhode Island family. Children: George Tillinghast, of further mention; and Almeda E., married Richard H. Ryder, of Pawtucket. Mrs. Ryder died October 12, 1918.
