The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-04-23
Ill a MI Q R It O N.
A Short Sketch of a Busy and Useful
Life.
National Associated Press to the Star.

National Associated Press to the Star.
New York, April 23.-The announcement
of the death of Mr.. VIM. .Orton caused the
utmost surprise throughout the city, and
insWaH street Atfirst5many re-
fused to believe the news, thinking that it
was ruse gotten up to affect The stock
market, but when the flag on the Western
Union Building was displayed at half-mast
it was apparent that the intelligence was but
too true. The previous morning Mr.. OEton
arose, as was his ct1tom, shortly after 6
O. o'clock, breakfasted with his family, and
expressed himself as greatly refreshed. He
was unusually lively. After breakfast he
read the morning news, chatting pleasantly
with his sons and daughter, and shortly be-
fore II o'clock repaired to his dressing-room
to prepare to attend morning services at the
Church of the Holy Apostles of which he
had been for several years Vestryman.
During the services he and his wife partook
Of the Holy Sacrament.
In the afternoon he took short drive
and returned to his home. He partook
heartily of the evening repast, but at 8
o'clock complained of a sharp pain in his
stomach. This, however, did not alarm
himself or family, and he retired for the
night. An hour later, at II O'Clock, Mrs
Orton noticed he was breathing heavily,
and asked him if he felt worse. He made
no reply. Then, alarmed at his condition,
she notified the rest of the family, who were
soon at his bedside. DR.. Bauer was at once
sent for, and upon feeling Mr. Orton's pulse
and examining his head said he had been
stricken with apopleXy. The. usual reme-
dies were applied, but without avail, the
stricken man never rallying nor gave any
signs of consciousness. At midnight DR..
Belcher arrived at his bedside. and a consul
tation regarding his condition was held.
The strongest remedies known were resort
ed to, but with no perceptible result, and it
then became apparent that his case was
hopeless. Col. Bordan, a near neighbor of
Mr.. Orton's, and DR.. Green, Vice President
of the Western Union Company arrived
later, and remained until o'clock in the
morning, the hour of his dissolution. Mrs.
Orton and her children were present when
he died
Mr.: Orton was born in the town of Cuba,
Alleghany% County, n Y, June 14th, 1926,
and was therefore at the time of his death
in his ffty-second year. When young
man he learned the printing trade, and fol
some years worked at the case on one of the
village weeklies. His leisure moments,
however, were devoted to mastering the
common branches OF an English education
in which he was successful. 1t is related by
the journal of the telegraph that Mr.. Orton's
first thesis was on magnetic telegraph, ano
was illustrated by a model constructed by
his own hand. This model is now nam
bered among the curiosities of the Depart
ment of Education in Albany. He was
connected with the book trade from 1915 uI
to the beginning of the civil war, the firm
name being Miller, Orton e. Mulling, theil
publishing houses being i'll New York ahc
| Auburn. He also become member of {
prominent publishing house of this city, bu
was eventually overtaken by reverses.
In 1862 he was appointed by Secretary
McCulloeh Deputy Collector Of Interna
Revenue for the Sixth Collection District il
this city. His executive ability was severe
| ly taxed by the arduous duties imposed OF
him, but he proved himself equal to al
! that was required of him, and was so accept
able to the Treasury Department that il
1865 he was appointed Commissioner of In
ternal Reventie at Washington. He re
tanned this important position but few
months, resigning during theesame year
Secretary McCulloch wrote him very flat
tering letter on the occasion of his with
drawal In the same year Mr.. Orton &C
cepted the Presidency of the United State
Telegraph Company, which few month
later was consolidated with the Westerl
Union Telegraph Company, Mr.. orton be
ing chosen Vice President, Two years late
he was elected President OF this Company
and its present prosperity and colossal cor
poration are mainly due to his policy ant
superior business qualities. w.
| In addition to overseeing and managin,