OSCAR O. NORTON

San Joaquin County

Biographies

OSCAR O. NORTON

OSCAR O. NORTON, of Elkhorn Township, was born January 1, 1832, in Schuyler County, New York, his parents being Willis W. and Phebe (Gregory) Norton. His father was a native of New York, and his mother of Connecticut. The father was by occupation a school teacher and farmer; in his younger days he taught school, although his education was no more than a common one, yet it was above the average of his day. Being a man of more than common modesty he refrained from accepting any offices which he might have had. His latter years were spent in farming in Schuyler County, where he died in 1884, at the age of eighty-three years. The mother died in 1887, at the age of eighty-two years. There were seven children in the family, viz: Miles B., Oscar O., William L., Francis M., Elivra, wife of Rev. L. D. Worth, residing on the old homestead. Two died in infancy.

The subject, O. O. Norton, was raised on a farm in New York until the age of nineteen, attending school in winter, and going two years to Starkey Seminary. When nineteen years old he went to work for himself, teaching school. In 1854 he went to Illinois, where he taught school and worked at the carpenter’s trade, which he had learned in New York. In 1859 he came to California, going on a visit to his old home first, then taking passage at New York city on the steamer Star of the West; on the Pacific side he took the Golden Age, arriving in San Francisco, July 15, 1859. He came immediately to Stockton and obtained work in the harvest field.

He worked at his trade and farming until he purchased his first property of Thomas F. Smith. The land lies about ten miles from Stockton, just off Cherokee Lane. In 1865 he bought eighty acres, and in 1872 eighty more, making 320 acres. His next purchase was his present place, in 1880, consisting of 160 acres. His handsome residence was erected in 1881. Mr. Norton carries on a general farming business; he has made all the improvements on both places. He raises grain and stock; has about eight acres of choice young vineyard. He is one of the leading farmers of his locality, and his home is one that will attract the attention of the passers by. It is an example of what taste, economy, and energy can do. Mr. Norton is a member of the Lodi Grange, No. 92, and also of the Congregational Church at that place.

He was married October 4, 1860, to Miss Maria J. Elliott, daughter of Edmond and Sarah Elliott. Mrs. Norton came to California in 1859, crossing the plains and locating in Elkhorn Township, San Joaquin County. They have three children--two sons and one daughter--viz: Charles W., Alice E., wife of A. S. Lasell, resident of Santa Cruz County, and Arthur L. Charles W. is married and has charge of the old place, and Arthur L. is at home teaching school.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County, California, Pages 337-338. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.

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