NORTON, John B.
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 672-673

John Brown NORTON, one of the pioneer printers and publishers of WI, is now 
living retired after a long, busy, and useful life at Baraboo [Sauk County, 
WI]. His identification with the art preservative of all arts dates from his 
seventh year and from that time until he laid aside business cares in 1880, 
he was in some way connected with the publishing business. Mr. NORTON was 
born in Mt. Zion, Hancock County, GA, in Aug 1826, a son of Jacob and Harriet 
(HOLBROOK) NORTON, both natives of Weymouth [Norfolk County], MA. The father 
was a lineal descendant of Rev. John NORTON, the founder of the first church 
in Hingham [County], MA, which structure is still standing and is now the 
oldest church in the U. S. He was a nephew of Rev. John NORTON, who came to 
Plymouth [Plymouth County], MA, in 1635, and after preaching there for one 
year went to Boston [Suffolk County, MA], and for many years was pastor of 
the first church there, it being the predecessor of the famous Old South 
Church. Rev. Jacob NORTON, grandfather of our subject, was a graduate of 
Harvard College and a fellow student and relative of John Quincy ADAMS. For 
the long period of 43 years he was pastor of one church at Weymouth [Norfolk 
County], MA. He married Elizabeth CRANCH, daughter of Judge William CRANCH, 
of Boston [Suffolk County, MA], and a niece of Abigail SMITH, who became the 
wife of President John ADAMS. All his sons, with one exception, were 
graduates of Harvard.

Jacob NORTON, the father of our subject, served as a lieutenant in the war of 
1812, and took part in the campaign about Lake Champlain. He was one of the 
most expert swordsmen of his day. In early life he learned the printer's 
trade with LINCOLN & EDMUNDS, one of the oldest publishing firms of Boston, 
and later he carried on a book printing establishment of his own. About 1818 
he went to GA and for 12 years or more was editor and proprietor of the 
"Hancock County Advertiser." He then located at Lowell [Middlesex County], 
MA, where he engaged in the book and job printing business until his death. 
Subsequently, about 1850, his widow came to WI and died in Prairie du Sac, 
Sauk County [WI], at the age of 86 years. When a young woman she sang in the 
choir of [p 673] Dr. William E. CHANNING's church at Boston, MA. Her father, 
John HOLBROOK, was an extensive dealer and manufacturer of boots, shoes and 
furs at Boston, removed to St. Louis [St Louis County], MO, at an early day, 
and erected the first brick house in that city.

John B. NORTON, of this review, spent the greater part of his boyhood in 
Lowell [Middlesex County], MA, and there acquired his early education. At 
the age of seven he began setting type, and after having thoroughly mastered 
the printer's trade he went to New York City, where he was in the employ of 
Harper Brothers for a number of years. Had his health permitted him to 
remain longer with that firm he was to have been made assistant 
superintendent of their establishment. In 1855 he came to Prairie du Sac 
[Sauk County], WI, and spent two years on a farm recuperating. He then went 
to Madison [Dane County, WI] and secured an interest in the "State Journal," 
which he retained for nearly a quarter of a century. During this time the 
office furnished to Anson KELLOGG, of the "Baraboo [Sauk County, WI] 
Republic," the first "insides," so called, ever printed in the U. S. While 
connected with the "Journal" Mr. NORTON was state printer for a time. Owing 
to failing health he severed his connection with the paper in 1880, and lived 
for several years in retirement in Philadelphia, PA, but is now a resident of 
Baraboo [Sauk County], WI. Before coming to this state he started the first 
steam press in Savannah [Chatham County], GA, and the second in that state.

In 1848 Mr. NORTON married Miss Caroline M. T. FOWLER, a native of Andover 
[Merrimack County], NH, and a daughter of Joseph and Nancy (LEAVITT) FOWLER, 
of Lowell [Middlesex County], MA. Her maternal grandfather, Major Jonathan 
LEAVITT, served from the beginning until the close of the Revolutionary war, 
taking part in many engagements on both land and sea. He was with the army 
during that famous winter at Valley Forge. He died at Conway [Carroll 
County], NH, at the age of 94 years. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
NORTON are: (1) Claude R., a physician of Philadelphia, PA; (2) John 
Jacob, a resident of Rome, NY, and was secretary and treasurer of the Rome 
Gas and Electric Light Company for many years, now special agent for 
extensive Nicaraguan enterprise; (3) Carrie Fowler, wife of Dr. C. H. HALL, 
of Madison [Dane County], WI; and (4) David A., who died on 20 Aug 1892, 
soon after his graduation from the University of PA, at Philadelphia.

Socially Mr. .NORTON affliates with the Masonic fraternity and Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, and politically is identified with the Republican 
party, though at local elections he sometimes votes independently of party 
ties. He is widely and favorbly known throughout the state and has a host of 
warm friends in Sauk County.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly