Charles L. Norton Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1825-1826 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	CHARLES L. NORTON, one of the prominent and influential citizens 
and leading business men of the city of Sioux Falls, holding at the 
present time the office of cashier of the Sioux Falls National Bank, 
and also of the Security Savings Bank, claims the old Empire state as 
the place of his nativity, having been born in Warren county, New York, 
on the 26th of May, 1852, and being a son of Lindsey D. and Electa S. 
(Squiers) Norton, both of whom were born and reared in that state, 
where they remained until about 1860, when they removed to Wisconsin 
and located in the village of Edgerton, Rock county, where the father 
engaged in farming.

	The subject received his elementary educational training in the 
schools of his native county, and was about eight years of age at the 
time of the family removal to Edgerton, Wisconsin, where he continued 
to attend the public schools until he had attained the age of fourteen 
years, when he started to learn the art of telegraphy, in which he 
became an expert. From 1869 to 1878 he served as station agent at 
various points on the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad in Iowa and 
Minnesota, from which latter state, in August, 1878, he came to South 
Dakota and located in Sioux Falls, as representative of the St. Paul & 
Sioux City Railroad, retaining this office until 1880, when he resigned 
the same. In the meanwhile, in 1880, Mr. Norton was chosen assistant 
cashier of the First National Bank of Sioux Falls, and in the following 
year was elected cashier of the Sioux Falls National Bank, of which 
position he has ever since remained in tenure, having gained a high 
reputation as a conservative financier and able executive officer. In 
December, 1902, he was one of the organizers of the Security Savings 
Bank of Sioux Falls, of which he was chosen cashier at the time of its 
incorporation, while he still holds this office and is a member of the 
directorates of each of these important and popular institutions. He is 
a loyal and progressive citizen and has ever shown a deep interest in 
local affairs of a public nature, and has lent his aid and influence in 
support of all worthy objects for the general good. In politics he has 
been a staunch supporter of the Republican party from the time of 
attaining his majority, and he has served four terms as treasurer of 
Minnehaha county. He was elected in April, 1904, treasurer of the city 
of Sioux Falls. He represented the second ward on the board of aldermen 
for one term, and was for two years a member of the board of education. 
Fraternally he is an appreciative and popular member of the Masonic 
order, being affiliated with Minnehaha Lodge, No. 5, Ancient Free and 
Accepted Masons; Sioux Falls Chapter, No. 2, Royal Arch Masons; and 
Cyrene Commandery, Knights Templar. 

	In September, 1874, Mr. Norton was united in marriage to Miss 
Abigail S. Frost, a daughter of Hon. James C. Frost, at that time 
resident of Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Norton have three children, James 
L., Edith B. and Maxfield W.