Bartholomew-Decatur County IN Archives Biographies.....Norton, William J. 1864 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 26, 2007, 9:04 pm Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) WILLIAM J. NORTON, M. D. Success comes not to the man who idly waits, but to the faithful toiler whose work is characterized by intelligence and force and who has the foresight and keenness of mental vision to know when and where and how to exert his energies. In the medical profession especially does success depend upon individual merit and effort. Not by gift, by influence or purchase can one gain prominence in that calling, but by careful preparation and marked skill. Dr. Norton is steadily advancing in this chosen field of endeavor and already in Hope and the surrounding district he has a large patronage, which is indicative of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. The Doctor was born in Flat Rock township, Bartholomew county, on the 28th of May, 1864, and is a son of the Rev. Jacob and Jane D. (Perry) Norton. He is also a representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of the county and comes of German ancestry. The family originated near Strasburg, Lorraine, whence representatives of the name came to the new world, establishing their home in Virginia. Later the family was planted on Ohio soil, where the immediate ancestors of the Doctor lived before coming to Indiana. In the year 183,1 the grandfather, William Norton, removed from the Buckeye state to Bartholomew county, and settled in Flat Rock township. He purchased land from the government and with characteristic energy began its cultivation and improvement, there carrying on farming until the latter part of his life when he took up his abode in Hope, where his remaining days were passed. In his family were sixteen children. Of this number Jacob Norton, the Doctor's father, was the eldest. He was born and reared upon the old Norton homestead and farm life early became familiar to him and continued to occupy a portion of his time and attention throughout the greater part of his business career. He was of a deeply religious nature, however, and became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. For fourteen years he was an itinerant minister and through a long period acted as a local preacher. He was zealous and earnest in his work and his influence was far-reaching and beneficial. Many lives have been brightened by the good he has done and his memory is yet revered and cherished by those who were his friends. In his political views he was a stanch Republican and was once a candidate for the legislature. Whatever cause he espoused received his hearty endorsement and he zealously labored for whatever he believed to be right. He wedded Miss Jane D. Perry, who was to him a faithful companion and helpmate on the journey of life and who, like him, was deeply interested in church work and the advancement of the cause of Christianity. Unto this worthy couple were born six children who are still living and two who have passed away. Those who still survive are: Dema, the wife of John Bruce; Dr. F. D. Norton, who is located in Petersville, Indiana; J. P., who is a grain merchant of Clifford, this state; S. W., who is recorder of Bartholomew county; William J., of this review; and C. S., who is state superintendent of the long distance telephone system and is now a resident of Indianapolis. Dr. William J. Norton was a farm boy in his youth and spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm in Flat Rock township, where he performed his full share in the labors of the fields as the crops were cultivated and harvested. He attended the public schools, acquiring a good education, and when eighteen years of age began teaching, which profession he followed with success for nine years. He was also at one time a student in the Danville Normal School. Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he began reading privately and later entered the Kentucky School of Medicine in the year 1892. He spent one. term there and one term in the Louisville Medical College, and was afterwards graduated in the East Tennessee Medical College at Knoxville, in 1894. He located in Flat Rock, where he practiced for five years, at the end of which time he removed to Alert, Decatur county, Indiana, where he prosecuted his profession for three years. He came to Hope on the 1st of January, 1903, and already has gained a liberal patronage, showing that his skill and ability has been recognized by the public. He has studied broadly and is continually adding to his professional knowledge by reading the medical journals. He is quick to note any method which he believes will be helpful in his work and his skill and accuracy are widely acknowledged factors in his professional career. In 1889 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Norton and Miss Minnie F. Miller, a resident of Nortonburg, and a lady of culture and refinement, who has won many friends during her residence in Hope. Unto them has been born a son, Harold J. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and in politics he is a Republican. Socially, however, he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Masonic order, and in the former he has filled all the chairs in the local lodge. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/norton783gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb