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William Orton (businessman)

January 13, 2023

William Orton (June 14, 1826 – April 22, 1878) was an American businessman who served as president of the Western Union Telegraph Company.

William Orton
3rd Commissioner of Internal Revenue
In office
March 11, 1869 – October 31, 1865[1]
PresidentAndrew Johnson
Preceded byJoseph J. Lewis
Succeeded byEdward A. Rollins
Personal details
Born(1826-06-14)June 14, 1826
Cuba, New York
DiedApril 22, 1878(1878-04-22) (aged 51)
New York City, New York
Resting placeSleepy Hollow Cemetery, Sleepy Hollow, New York
Political partyRepublican[2]
SpouseAgnes J. Gillespie (m. 1852-1878, his death)
Children8
Alma materNew York State Normal School
OccupationBusiness executive (1847–1878)
Known forPresident, Western Union Telegraph Company, 1867–1878

Early life

William Orton was born in Cuba, New York on June 14, 1826.[3] He was trained as a printer and worked on a newspaper in the village of Cuba.[4] He graduated from the State Normal School (now the State University of New York at Albany) in 1847, and received his certification as a teacher.[5]

He taught at a school in Cuba, and then moved to Geneva to become a clerk in a bookstore.[6] In 1852 Orton moved to Buffalo, where he became a partner in a publishing company called Derby, Orton & Co.[6]

Start of career

In 1858 Orton moved to New York City to become a partner in another publishing company, Miller & Orton.[6] This firm went out of business two years later, with Orton moving to the bookselling and publishing firm of J. G. Gregory & Co. as managing clerk.[6]

A Republican and supporter of the Union during the American Civil War, Orton was elected to New York City's Common Council in 1860, and served one term.[7]

From 1862 to 1865 he was federal Collector of Revenue for the 6th district of New York.[8] In 1865 Orton was appointed Commissioner of Internal Revenue, but he served at this post in Washington, D.C. for only four months before resigning to resume his business career.[9][10]

Continued career

 
William Orton in 1882's "The Royal Road to Wealth: How to Find and Follow It".

Orton was appointed president of the United States Telegraph Company in the fall of 1865.[11] When this company merged with Western Union in 1866 Orton was appointed Western Union's vice president.[12] He also studied law, and attained admission to the bar in 1867.[13] In 1867 Jeptha Wade resigned as president of Western Union, and Orton succeeded him.[14] In addition to his position at Western Union, Orton was president of the Gold and Stock Telegraph Company,[15] International Ocean Telegraph Company, and Atlantic and Southern Telegraph Company.[16]

In 1871 President Ulysses S. Grant offered the position of Collector of the Port of New York to John Augustus Griswold, who declined.[17] Grant then offered to nominate Orton, who also declined.[17] Griswold and Orton both recommended Chester A. Arthur, who received the appointment.[17]

Orton was a delegate to the 1872 and 1876 Republican National Conventions.[18]

He was active in the Episcopal Church, and served as a vestryman at New York City's Church of the Holy Apostles.[19]

Death

Orton died at his home in New York City on April 22, 1878.[20] He was buried at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, New York.[21] He was succeeded by Norvin Green as the head of Western Union.[22]

Family

In 1852 Orton married Agnes J. Gillespie of Buffalo.[23] They were the parents of eight children: Jessie; Alice; William, Jr.; James; Agnes; M. Virginia; Robert; and Grosvenor.[23]

References

  1. ^ "Internal Revenue Service Data Book 2003" (PDF). irs.gov. Retrieved September 13, 2007.
  2. ^ Proceedings of the National Republican Conventions of 1868, 1872, 1876 and 1880. Minneapolis, MN: Charles W. Johnson. 1903. pp. 196, 307.
  3. ^ Ruthven, Noel (March 1, 1881). "Our Monster Telegraph System". Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, Volume 11. New York, NY. p. 263.
  4. ^ History of Allegany County, N. Y. New York, NY: F. W. Beers & Co. 1879. p. 252 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Johnson, Rossiter (1904). The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Volume VIII. Boston, MA: The Biographical Society. p. Orton-Osbon.
  6. ^ a b c d Derby, James Cephas (1884). Fifty Years Among Authors, Books and Publishers. New York, NY: G. W. Carleton & Co. p. 46 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Stevens, John Austin, Jr., Secretary (1862). Proceedings at the Mass Meeting of Local Citizens on Union Square, New-York. New York, NY: George F. Nesbitt & Co. p. 8.
  8. ^ Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States, Volume XIII. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1887. p. 13.
  9. ^ "Promotion of Hon. William Orton". New York Times. New York, NY. May 22, 1865.
  10. ^ "Resignation of Mr. Orton". New York Times. New York, NY. November 1, 1865.
  11. ^ "Testimony, Hearings Before the United States Commiossion on Industrial Relations". The Commercial Telegraphers' Journal, Volumes 13-14. Chicago, IL. January 1, 1915. p. 328.
  12. ^ Phalen, William J. (2015). How the Telegraph Changed the World. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-7864-9445-3.
  13. ^ Reid, James D. (1879). The Telegraph in America. New York, NY: Derby Brothers. p. 783.
  14. ^ "Editorial Notes". Magazine of Western History, Volume 13. New York, NY: Magazine of Western History Publishing Co. November 1, 1890. p. 130.
  15. ^ Anderson, Kelly C. (1994). Thomas Edison. San Diego, CA: Lucent Books. p. 31. ISBN 9781560060413.
  16. ^ Disturnell, John (1876). New York As It Was And As It Is. New York, NY: D. Van Norstrand. p. 195.
  17. ^ a b c Doyle, Burton T.; Swaney, Homer H. (1881). Lives of James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur. Washington, DC: Rufus H. Darby. p. 188.
  18. ^ Proceedings of the National Republican Conventions of 1868, 1872, 1876 and 1880. Minneapolis, MN: Charles W. Johnson. 1903. pp. 196, 307.
  19. ^ Bacon, Leonard; Thompson, Joseph Parrish; Storrs, Richard Salter; Beecher, Henry Ward; Leavitt, Joshua; Tilton, Theodore; Bowen, Henry Chandler; Ward, William Hayes; Holt, Hamilton; Franklin, Fabian; Fuller, Harold de Wolf; Herter, Christian Archibald (April 25, 1878). "Death notice, William Orton". The Independent. New York, NY. p. 16.
  20. ^ "Death of William Orton" (PDF). New York Times. New York, NY. April 23, 1878.
  21. ^ "William Orton's Funeral" (PDF). New York Times. New York, NY. April 26, 1878.
  22. ^ Hochfelder, David (2012). The Telegraph in America, 1832–1920. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 185. ISBN 978-1-4214-0747-0.
  23. ^ a b Orton, Edward; Orton, Edward Francis Baxter (1896). An Account of the Descendants of Thomas Orton of Windsor, Connecticut. Columbus, OH: Nitschke Brothers. p. 150.

External links

  • William Orton in The Telegraph in America: Its Founders, Promoters, and Noted Men. James D. Reid (1879).
  • William Orton at Find a Grave
Business positions
Preceded by President of the Western Union Telegraph Company
1867–1878 		Succeeded by
Norvin Green

January 13, 2023
william, orton, businessman, william, orton, june, 1826, april, 1878, american, businessman, served, president, western, union, telegraph, company, william, orton3rd, commissioner, internal, revenuein, office, march, 1869, october, 1865, presidentandrew, johns. William Orton June 14 1826 April 22 1878 was an American businessman who served as president of the Western Union Telegraph Company William Orton3rd Commissioner of Internal RevenueIn office March 11 1869 October 31 1865 1 PresidentAndrew JohnsonPreceded byJoseph J LewisSucceeded byEdward A RollinsPersonal detailsBorn 1826 06 14 June 14 1826Cuba New YorkDiedApril 22 1878 1878 04 22 aged 51 New York City New YorkResting placeSleepy Hollow Cemetery Sleepy Hollow New YorkPolitical partyRepublican 2 SpouseAgnes J Gillespie m 1852 1878 his death Children8Alma materNew York State Normal SchoolOccupationBusiness executive 1847 1878 Known forPresident Western Union Telegraph Company 1867 1878 Contents 1 Early life 2 Start of career 3 Continued career 4 Death 5 Family 6 References 7 External linksEarly life EditWilliam Orton was born in Cuba New York on June 14 1826 3 He was trained as a printer and worked on a newspaper in the village of Cuba 4 He graduated from the State Normal School now the State University of New York at Albany in 1847 and received his certification as a teacher 5 He taught at a school in Cuba and then moved to Geneva to become a clerk in a bookstore 6 In 1852 Orton moved to Buffalo where he became a partner in a publishing company called Derby Orton amp Co 6 Start of career EditIn 1858 Orton moved to New York City to become a partner in another publishing company Miller amp Orton 6 This firm went out of business two years later with Orton moving to the bookselling and publishing firm of J G Gregory amp Co as managing clerk 6 A Republican and supporter of the Union during the American Civil War Orton was elected to New York City s Common Council in 1860 and served one term 7 From 1862 to 1865 he was federal Collector of Revenue for the 6th district of New York 8 In 1865 Orton was appointed Commissioner of Internal Revenue but he served at this post in Washington D C for only four months before resigning to resume his business career 9 10 Continued career Edit William Orton in 1882 s The Royal Road to Wealth How to Find and Follow It Orton was appointed president of the United States Telegraph Company in the fall of 1865 11 When this company merged with Western Union in 1866 Orton was appointed Western Union s vice president 12 He also studied law and attained admission to the bar in 1867 13 In 1867 Jeptha Wade resigned as president of Western Union and Orton succeeded him 14 In addition to his position at Western Union Orton was president of the Gold and Stock Telegraph Company 15 International Ocean Telegraph Company and Atlantic and Southern Telegraph Company 16 In 1871 President Ulysses S Grant offered the position of Collector of the Port of New York to John Augustus Griswold who declined 17 Grant then offered to nominate Orton who also declined 17 Griswold and Orton both recommended Chester A Arthur who received the appointment 17 Orton was a delegate to the 1872 and 1876 Republican National Conventions 18 He was active in the Episcopal Church and served as a vestryman at New York City s Church of the Holy Apostles 19 Death EditOrton died at his home in New York City on April 22 1878 20 He was buried at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow New York 21 He was succeeded by Norvin Green as the head of Western Union 22 Family EditIn 1852 Orton married Agnes J Gillespie of Buffalo 23 They were the parents of eight children Jessie Alice William Jr James Agnes M Virginia Robert and Grosvenor 23 References Edit Internal Revenue Service Data Book 2003 PDF irs gov Retrieved September 13 2007 Proceedings of the National Republican Conventions of 1868 1872 1876 and 1880 Minneapolis MN Charles W Johnson 1903 pp 196 307 Ruthven Noel March 1 1881 Our Monster Telegraph System Frank Leslie s Popular Monthly Volume 11 New York NY p 263 History of Allegany County N Y New York NY F W Beers amp Co 1879 p 252 via Google Books Johnson Rossiter 1904 The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans Volume VIII Boston MA The Biographical Society p Orton Osbon a b c d Derby James Cephas 1884 Fifty Years Among Authors Books and Publishers New York NY G W Carleton amp Co p 46 via Google Books Stevens John Austin Jr Secretary 1862 Proceedings at the Mass Meeting of Local Citizens on Union Square New York New York NY George F Nesbitt amp Co p 8 Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States Volume XIII Washington DC U S Government Printing Office 1887 p 13 Promotion of Hon William Orton New York Times New York NY May 22 1865 Resignation of Mr Orton New York Times New York NY November 1 1865 Testimony Hearings Before the United States Commiossion on Industrial Relations The Commercial Telegraphers Journal Volumes 13 14 Chicago IL January 1 1915 p 328 Phalen William J 2015 How the Telegraph Changed the World Jefferson NC McFarland amp Company p 152 ISBN 978 0 7864 9445 3 Reid James D 1879 The Telegraph in America New York NY Derby Brothers p 783 Editorial Notes Magazine of Western History Volume 13 New York NY Magazine of Western History Publishing Co November 1 1890 p 130 Anderson Kelly C 1994 Thomas Edison San Diego CA Lucent Books p 31 ISBN 9781560060413 Disturnell John 1876 New York As It Was And As It Is New York NY D Van Norstrand p 195 a b c Doyle Burton T Swaney Homer H 1881 Lives of James A Garfield and Chester A Arthur Washington DC Rufus H Darby p 188 Proceedings of the National Republican Conventions of 1868 1872 1876 and 1880 Minneapolis MN Charles W Johnson 1903 pp 196 307 Bacon Leonard Thompson Joseph Parrish Storrs Richard Salter Beecher Henry Ward Leavitt Joshua Tilton Theodore Bowen Henry Chandler Ward William Hayes Holt Hamilton Franklin Fabian Fuller Harold de Wolf Herter Christian Archibald April 25 1878 Death notice William Orton The Independent New York NY p 16 Death of William Orton PDF New York Times New York NY April 23 1878 William Orton s Funeral PDF New York Times New York NY April 26 1878 Hochfelder David 2012 The Telegraph in America 1832 1920 Baltimore MD Johns Hopkins University Press p 185 ISBN 978 1 4214 0747 0 a b Orton Edward Orton Edward Francis Baxter 1896 An Account of the Descendants of Thomas Orton of Windsor Connecticut Columbus OH Nitschke Brothers p 150 External links EditWilliam Orton in The Telegraph in America Its Founders Promoters and Noted Men James D Reid 1879 William Orton at Find a GraveBusiness positionsPreceded byJeptha Wade President of the Western Union Telegraph Company1867 1878 Succeeded byNorvin Green Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Orton businessman amp oldid 1112380402, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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