Shawnee County KS Archives Biographies.....Norton, Willis 1845 - 1895
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com September 26, 2006, 3:54 am

Author: James L. King (1905)

WILLIS NORTON.

    During the last decade, Death has many times entered the ranks of Topeka's
business men, removing from the city's busy activities those who had been
instrumental in promoting her prosperity, and in no case was the loss more
deeply felt than in the passing of Willis Norton, late president of the Bank of
North Topeka, sole proprietor of the Inter-Ocean flour mills, and an able,
forceful factor in almost every circle. Willis Norton was born July 22, 1845, at
London, Ohio, and died at Topeka on April 10, 1895. He was a son of Thomas R.
Norton, being one of a family of 11 children born to his parents, six of whom
still survive, namely: John F., of Topeka; Charles F., of Canton, Ohio; Mrs.
Fassler, of Topeka; Mrs. Kauffman, of Columbus, Ohio; Percy; and Mrs. Burnett,
of Springfield, Ohio.

    Mr. Norton entered into business life upon the conclusion of his schooling,
becoming connected with the dry goods house of his uncle, John Foss, at
Springfield, Ohio. In 1871 he came to Topeka, where his energies were given
until his death to founding and fostering her greatest business enterprises. In
1871 the Capital Bank, one of the early financial institutions of Topeka, was
organized by Mr. Norton, John D. Knox and Mrs. E. Chrisman. At a later date, Mr.
Norton became connected with the Central National Bank, and in 1883 he bought a
half interest in the Bank of North Topeka, and continued as its president until
the close of his life.

    Mr. Norton was interested in many business undertakings and identified with
the founding of charitable institutions and the promotion of civic improvements.
In the industrial world he is most prominently recalled as the head of the great
Inter-Ocean flour mills, the largest plant in Topeka. This business was
established in 1879 by Mr. Norton, Thomas Page and Messrs. Shellabarger and
Griswold. In 1882 Mr. Norton became the sole owner. In this great enterprise as
in every other, his ability was a recognized factor and his business integrity
stood unquestioned.

    Mr. Noron was twice married. His first wife, Lillian Coats, died in October,
1890, leaving one daughter,—Josephine. On December 5, 1894, Mr. Norton married
Lizzie Thompson, a daughter of Thomas Thompson. Mrs. Norton with one child,
survives. They occupy one of Topeka's beautiful homes at No. 908 Topeka avenue
and move in the best circles of the city's society.

    Politically, Mr. Norton was identified with the Republican party. In
religious views he was a Methodist. His fraternal and social connections in
Topeka were quite extensive.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY, KANSAS
AND
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

EDITED AND COMPILED BY
JAMES L. KING
TOPEKA, KANSAS 

"History is Philosophy Teaching by Examples"

PUBLISHED BY
RICHMOND & ARNOLD,
GEORGE RICHMOND; C. R. ARNOLD.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,
1905.


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