James was oldest son of John ORTON and Mary RADFORD.
A family biography was written in 1958 by Albert ORTON, grandson of Joe & Anne Jane ORTON. This paper was written for the local Grenard Women's Institute, of Medonte Township, Simcoe County, Ontario. It is called "History of Orton-Brae Farm". This paper mentions, "soon after they (John ORTON, his 2nd wife, Susan, and his sons James and Joseph) arrived one son (James) left for further adventure and exploration to the north and west. Because of lack of communications contact with this son was lost."
But, on the 15 May 1835, when James was 19, he married Margaret BROTHERSTON. ( the sister of Anne Jane BROTHERSTON, who married James' brother Joseph ORTON)
James and Margaret's marriage and the christening of two of their daughters are seen in the Wesleyn church records in Medonte, Jane 1844, and Elizabeth in 1846, so James didn't leave the area immediately after arriving in Canada.
James may have been a Rebel
The "Simcoe County Militia: Rebellion of 1837 Muster Rolls and Pay Lists" compiled by Helen A Wanless for the Ontario Genealogy Society show a James ORTON among the members.
James ORTON
1900 Death Oakland County, Novi Township, Michigan, USA
( son of John ORTON & Mary RADFORD)
B 1816 England )
Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Registers, ( in Medonte Twp. Simcoe County, Ontario, CAN)
two of James and Margaret's daughters' baptisms appear on the same page as two of his brother Joseph and Ann's children.
http://bowergenealogy.ca/resources/methodist/Names%20O.htm
WMBR, Vol. 1, p. 382:
ORTON, Jane
d/o James & Margaret
born: 27 Feb 1844
bapt: 24 Mar 1845
ORTON, Elizabeth
d/o James & Margaret
born: 25 Feb 1846
bapt: 03 May 1847