George O. Gorton was born around 1835 in Rhode Island to Nathan and Roby Gorton. His father worked as a coal and lumber dealer. Gorton grew up and attended school in Providence, Rhode Island.

 

He enlisted in the Union army on April 17, 1861, and he mustered in as a private in Company C of the 1^st Rhode Island Infantry on May 2, 1861. The regiment took part in the First Battle of Manassas. He was promoted to sergeant on June 27, 1861, and he mustered out on August 2, 1861. He returned to the Union army soon afterward: in February 1862, he received a commission as 2^nd lieutenant in Company M of the 3^rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. The regiment took part in the siege of Charleston. He was promoted to 1^st lieutenant on November 28, 1862, and he mustered out on October 5, 1864.

 

He returned to Providence after leaving the army. He married Mary M. Carter on January 21, 1864, and their son Walter was born around 1874. He worked as a “jewelry chaser,” and by 1900, he employed at least one domestic servant. His wife died in the early 1900s, and he married Lillie B. Tew on June 15, 1905. He applied for a federal pension in September 1905 and eventually secured one. He died in Rhode Island on January 24, 1915.

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