My Genealogy Hound

John M. Norton, deceased, whose farm was in section 27, Avon township, was one of the pioneers of Oakland County, Michigan, and was a witness to its wonderful transformation from the log cabin days when the country was sparsely settled and wild animals and hostile Indians abounded, to the present with its numerous towns, fine country homes and school houses, and highly cultivated farms. He was born in Richmond, Ontario County, New York, May 5, 1820, and was a son of John and Naomi (Short) Norton.

John Norton and his wife were both natives of Massachusetts and of English parentage. They settled in New York State at the beginning of the last century and came to Oakland County, Michigan, in 1823, entering 160 acres of government land. They made their permanent residence in this county from 1824, and John Norton was prominently identified with the early development of the country. He built the first house in what is now Oakland township, preached the first sermon, and united the first couple in marriage. Religiously, he was a Free Will Baptist. He died in June, 1832; his wife having died shortly after their removal to this county. All of these old pioneers, who underwent privations and struggled against seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the clearing of farms and advancing the cause of civilization, have gone to their final reward, but their work will ever remain as a monument to their memory.

John M. Norton was four years old when his mother died and at the age of 12 years he lost his father, and thenceforth had to shift for himself in the world. He received a limited education in the schools of the times, and being a close observer and a constant reader his studies were practically continued throughout life, being a very well educated man by the time he reached middle life. His first work was on the farm, hiring out for service at $5 per month, and for 14 years he continued to work by the month, laying by what he could of the meagre wages he received. After his marriage at the age of 26 years, he purchased a farm of 160 acres in DeWitt township, Clinton County, where he farmed for one year. He then purchased a farm in Novi township, Oakland County, where he resided for eight years. He moved to Avon township, and later to Troy township, but in 1865 returned to Avon township where he remained and followed farming until his death. Mrs. Norton still resides upon this farm, which is located three miles south of Rochester.

Mr. Norton was an old line Whig and cast his first vote for Harrison, and later became a Republican, being a delegate to the first State convention of that party, held at Jackson. He was one of the active workers in the party and filled the office of collector, under sheriff and other township offices. In 1879 he was candidate of the Greenback party for State Treasurer, and in 1882 was nominated and elected State Senator from the 15th Senatorial District, receiving a majority of 393 votes. He was re-elected to succeed himself. He was an officer of the convention at Cleveland, Ohio, when the Greenback party was organized, was a delegate to the convention at Indianapolis when Peter Cooper was nominated for President, and the one at Chicago when General Weaver was nominated. He was conscientious in every act and voted as he deemed right, without fear or favor. While laying no claims to oratorical ability, on many occasions he took the floor in the interest of some principle and with good results. Orthodox in religious views, benevolent and kind, a good neighbor, a kind father and faithful husband, he possessed the confidence of all and was loved by all. He died August 11, 1902, having been in ill health for some five years previously.

Mr. Norton married Nancy Hazen, who was born January 22, 1830, at Richmond, Ontario County, New York, and is a daughter of Jesse and Elsie (Taylor) Hazen. Her parents came to Oakland County and settled in Novi township, where her father followed farming until his death at the age of 83 years. Her mother died at the age of 42 years. Mr., and Mrs. Norton became the parents of six children, namely; Elvira, wife of John King, of Tower City; William H., a farmer of Romeo, Michigan; John T., a druggist, of Rochester, Oakland County; Clarence, a physician of Killmaster, Michigan; Grant, a farmer of Oakland County; and Abbie May, deceased. Mrs. Norton is a woman of many personal charms, and enjoys the friendship of many who love her many estimable traits of character. A portrait of Mr. Norton accompanies this sketch.