Bennington

NORTON, Luman Preston

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 287-288 
(portrait p 287)

Luman Preston NORTON, of Bennington, was born 20 March 1837 in Bennington 
[Bennington County, Vermont], son of Julius and Maria (SPOONER) NORTON. Mr. 
NORTON is directly descended from William C. SPOONER, signer of the 
Declaration of Independence, and his great grandfather, John, fought in the 
Revolutionary army in which he held the rank of captain. The subject 
received his preliminary education at the public schools of Cambridge 
[Washington County], New York, and afterward pursued his studies a the 
academies of Randolph and Bennington, and also that of Bloomfield [Ontario 
County], New York. Entering Union College, Schenectady [Schenectady County], 
New York, he graduated in June 1858, and the following year formed a 
copartnership with his father at Bennington for the manufacture of pottery, a 
business established by his great grandfather in 1793. After his father's 
death in 1861, Mr. NORTON continued in the concern for twenty-one years, when 
he sold his entire interest to his partner and removed to Bismark, Dakota 
[Dakota Territory was organized in 1861; Bismarck, Burleigh County, state of 
North Dakota since 1889], for the benefit of his impaired health. On his 
return to Vermont he accepted the general agency of the Northwestern Mutual 
Life Insurance Company. He was elected the first president of the Bennington 
County Savings Bank and also of the village of Bennington. He is largely 
interested in real estate in both in Vermont and in the West.

Republican. He has taken little active part in public affairs, though 
confidence in his integrity and financial capacity have called him to the 
office of trustee of Bennington village, representing that town in the 
Legislature of 1874, being assigned to important committees. In Mt. Anthony 
Lodge No. 13, Free & Accepted Masons, he has been the incumbent of all the 
offices with the exception of that of master; is a charter member of 
Bennington Historical Society; belongs to the Order of Red Men. Is a 
communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church. Is auditor of the diocese of 
Vermont and has been for many years lay delegate to the diocesan convention. 
On 12 October 1858 Mr. [Luman Preston] NORTON married Alice L., daughter of 
Bradford GODFREY. Four children have been the issue of this union: Luman 
S., Agnes C. (wife of Judge Charles H. DARLING, of Bennington), Alice Mabel, 
and Julius Philip.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly