Bio of Norton, John Bacon (b.1821) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm and Carol Judge
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1884.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab1.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Norton, John Bacon, Norton, is one of the few persons who can go through a
life of many reverses without becoming soured in disposition, and he
deservedly enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. He is
the grandson of a Revolutionary soldier, and both his parents - Shirley
and Nancy (Parmley) Norton - were natives of Vermont. He was born in the
town of Waybridge, Addison county, that State, May 20, 1821. When he was
but nine years old his people removed to New York, and he grew up there on
a farm. The common school furnished his only education, save only such as
contact with the world supplies. When nearly grown to maturity he began to
appreciate the need of education, and spent several winters in applying
himself to study, at the same time earning his board by doing chores for
farmers. He graduated from a frame school house in Western New York and
went to New York city at twenty. Here he shipped before the mast on a
sailing vessel at ten dollars a month. When he retired after ten years of
ocean life, he was commander of a ship at $100 a month. He made voyages to
the West Indies, to several ports of Europe, and South America. In 1851 he
went to California by way of Cape Horn, and returned the same way next
year, satisfied to give up mining. In 1852 he went to Appleton, Wis., and
took up land which he tilled seven years. Here died in 1858, the partner
of his joys and sorrows - Sarah, nee McKnight - to whom he was wedded in
1846, in Brooklyn, New York. Mrs. Norton left six children, of whom all
save the eldest, Sarah J., and still living, as follows: Emeline Ada (Mrs.
John Snow), in Dakota; Martin S., Lodi, California; Maria Louise (Mrs. W.
P. Thayer), Lyon, Minnesota; John B., Wesleyan Methodist clergyman, Dow
City, Iowa; Electa E. (Mrs. Robert Butchers), Hart, Winona county. Capt.
Norton became a resident of Minnesota in 1859, and after spending a year
in Hart township, bought a farm in Warren, Winona county. Thence he
removed to Viola, in Olmsted county, in 1876, and in the spring of 1883 to
Elgin, where he purchased a house and lot. In March, 1884, he went into
the Eureka Hotel, Elgin, where he is now caring for the comfort of a
houseful of guests. Capt. Norton has filled many positions of trust and
responsibility. He is now town clerk and justice of the peace for Elgin,
and has served in similar capacities, and as town supervisor many terms
elsewhere. In the fall of 1873 he was elected from Winona county as a
member of the XVII Legislature, and served at the session of the following
winter. He has always been active in fostering schools, and has served
almost continuously as a school officer. He is a conservative Democrat,
and his religious tenets are those of the Baptist Church. On the 27th of
February, 1864, he enlisted as a recruit in the Seventh Minnesota
regiment, Company B, and served till August 17, 1865. He participated in
the battles of Tupalo, Nashville, and the Spanish Forts, at Mobile, and in
several hard marches. In 1861 Capt. Norton married Sarah Inez Gray, who
bore him four children. Of these only the eldest and youngest survive.
Inez Augusta is the wife of Judson Hutchinson and resides at Sparta, Wis.
Evan Oscar is at home. William Bradford and Edith Viola died of small-pox
in Warren.