ORTON, Alva (1845-1917) and Valerie E. (1843-after 1900)

Ellen and James White were close acquaintances of Alva Orton's parents, Jonathan and Caroline Orton, at whose home in Rochester, New York, the Whites often received hospitality. Alva Orton is listed as a police officer living in Buffalo, New York, in the 1880 census and later as a merchant in Brooklyn, New York. His obituary is found in the Review, suggesting that he ended his days a church member.1EGWLM 873.5

After Jonathan Orton's murder in 1866, Ellen White appears to have had a special concern for Alva Orton and his wife. After meeting the Ortons at a wedding in 1868, she reflected, “God gave me a testimony for the two just united in marriage, but more especially were my remarks directed to Alva Orton and wife. I entreated them to live for self no longer, but consecrate themselves to God.”1EGWLM 874.1

See: 1880 U.S. Federal Census, “Alva H. Orton,” New York, Erie County, Buffalo, p. 10; 1900 U.S. Federal Census, “Albah H. Orton [sic],” New York, Kings County, Brooklyn, Ward 22, p. 1A; obituary: “Alva H. Orton,” Review, Mar. 29, 1917, p. 21; Ellen G. White, Ms 12, 1868 (Jan. 9 entry).1EGWLM 874.2