Biographies

Source: 
History of Trumbull & Mahoning Counties, Ohio
 with Illustrations & Biographical Sketches -
Vol. II
Cleveland - H. Z. Williams & Bro.
1882

Also See Individual Townships for more short biographies.

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Boardman, Trumbull Co. - HON. SHELDON NEWTON Pg. 93

HOMER NORTON.    Homer Norton, the oldest son of Roderick and Olive (Miller) Norton, was born July 23, 1812, in Southington, Trumbull county, Ohio.  Roderick Norton was a native of Suffield, Connecticut, born in 1783.  He was one of the younger boys of a large family, and was left an orphan to take care of himself.  He came to Ohio in June, 1805, in company with his brother in-law, James Chalker, and Luke Viets, and their wives, David Viets, father of Luke, and Horace Norton, his brother, then seven years of age.  These were the first settlers in the township of Southington, and Roderick Norton is credited with the honor of having struck the first blow for permanent improvement.  He married in Connecticut Oct. 8, 1810, Olive, daughter of Job Miller, and they immediately removed to their new home in the western wilderness spending the first winter with Luke Viets.  In the summer of 1814 he was drafted into the army, War of 1812, and served as first corporal in Lieutenant Hezekiah Hines' company, Ohio militia, until the close of the war, being discharged Feb. 23, 1815.  The following extract is taken from a sketch previously published:       It was during the time of his absence that his adventurous young wife realized pretty severely the hardships of early pioneer life.  With an infant, a few months old, and her little son Homer, she spent the winter alone in the wilderness, in a rudely constructed log cabin, half a mile through the wood to her nearest neighbor.  Her faithful dog, Tiger, frequently warned her of the approach of wild animals, or possibly the more dangerous aborigines; and she occasionally burned gunpowder in a spoon through a crevice in her cabin to scare the wolves away.  On receiving his discharge, he crossed the ice on Lake Erie, and again assumed the relations of civil life.  He was modest and unassuming; was a prominent citizen of his township, and generally among the foremost in matters of enterprise.  He would never accept the office of justice of the piece, though often requested to do so.  By his strict integrity and upright dealing he acquired among his neighbors the sobriquet of “Old Honesty.”  In politics, a Whig.  For many years a true and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  Had three sons and six daughters, viz: Homer, Albert, Hannah, Roderick, Samantha, Olive, Fanny, and Mary and Martha (twins); all are living except Albert, Fanny, and Mary. Source: History of Trumbull & Mahoning Counties - Cleveland: H. Z. Williams & Bro. - 1882 - Pages 527