SILAS W. NORTON

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 740-741:

Silas W. Norton

(Of Norton & Dade, Dealers in Agricultural Implements and Farm Machinery, Schell City).

   Both by birth and parentage Mr. Norton is of New York origin, having been born December 18, 1835, in Jefferson county, of the Empire State.  His father, John Norton, is still living, hale and hearty and well preserved in years, and will reach the unusual age of 100 in May, 1887.  His (John’s) wife before her marriage was Miss Pamelia Gardner, of Jefferson county, N. Y.  Seven children born to them still survive, Silas being the youngest son and third child.  He grew to manhood upon the old home farm, attending closely to the duties of agricultural life in that vicinity until removing to Vernon county, Mo., in 1867, where his place of residence has since continued to be.  Upon coming here he filed application for or entered a homestead, and though without means immediately commenced work with an energy and determination that indicated nothing but success.  This homestead embraced about 100 acres, and this he was engaged in cultivating for seven years when he commenced handling agricultural implements at Schell City, selling the first goods in this line in the place.  From that time to the present his business interests have steadily increased until the present firm of Norton & Dade, of which he is the senior member, has become recognized as an important factor in commercial circles hereabouts.  The business annually transacted by them has reached a satisfactory figure, the house being regarded second to none as far as reliability and fair dealing are concerned.  Time has proven that with Mr. Norton occupying the position he now does he is certainly the right man in the right place.  January 1, 1856, he was married to Miss Margaret E. Newkirk, originally from Montgomery county, N. Y.  Their only daughter, Addie May, is the wife of Mr. John Dade.  Mr. N. belongs to both the A. F. and A. M. and A. O. U. W. fraternities, being an S. K. in the latter order.  In connection with other members of his family he owns some 548 acres of land.

[Transcribed by Becky Siple]

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