My Genealogy Hound

Preston H. Norton, another of the prominent citizens of Anderson Township, owes his nativity to North Carolina, born in Pendleton District June 5, 1835. His father, Richard Norton, moved to Alabama when the subject of this sketch was a babe, and resided there until 1858, when he came to Clark County, Ark., and died here in 1862. He was a farmer all his life. He was a Whig, and took an active interest in politics, and while in Alabama served as justice of the peace and bailiff. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and belonged to the Masonic fraternity. The subject of this sketch was the oldest son and second child of a family of five children, and spent his school days in Alabama. After leaving school he learned the tanner's trade, and worked at this trade in Alabama until 1860, when he came to Clark County, Ark. In May, 1862, he joined a Texas battery, in which he served until the latter part of 1863, when he was detailed as a tanner in the Confederate army, and served as such until the close of the war. The end of the war found him without means. He then commenced work for himself until 1870, when he engaged in farming, which he has successfully continued ever since, and now owns a well-improved farm. In October, 1859, he married Miss Eliza Pickle, a native of Alabama. She died December 25, 1880, the mother of six children, four of whom are now living, viz.: Jeff, Anna, Eugene and Mary. Those dead are Alice and an infant. In May, 1881, he was again married, to Miss S. J. Rushing, by whom he has one child, Arthur. Mrs. Norton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is an earnest Christian woman. Mr. Norton is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Alliance. In politics he sides with the Democratic party, and is an enterprising citizen.