From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 1060-1062
 
WILLIAM CLARENCE NORTON.  The life of William Clarence NORTON, well known 
attorney of Elkhorn, has been one of hard study and research from his youth 
and since maturity of laborious professional duty, and the high position which 
he has attained in the affairs of Walworth county is evidence that the 
qualities which he possesses afford the means of distinction under a system of 
government in which places of honor and usefulness are open to all who may be 
worthy of them.
 
Mr. NORTON was born in Lafayette township, this county, on November 5, 1874.  
He is the son of John H. and J Louise (MERRICK) NORTON.  The father was born 
at Chardon, Geauga county, Ohio, and when one year old his parents, Winthrop 
and Hannah (CRANSTON) NORTON, brought him to Walworth county, Wisconsin.  That 
was in 1842, in pioneer times, and here he grew to manhood and received his 
education in the early common schools.  The mother's family was from Cranston, 
Connecticut, having been early settlers in the old Nutmeg state.
 
The NORTON family located in Lafayette township upon their arrival in this 
county and there maintained their home until 1861, when they made the long 
overland trip by wagon to California  There Winthrop NORTON died and was 
buried.  John H. NORTON was about twenty years old at the time of the trip to 
the Pacific coast.  He farmed there about two years, then he and his mother 
returned to Lafayette township this county.  An uncle of the subject, Abram 
Cranston NORTON, also went to California, returning a year after his brother, 
John H., returned, and these gentleman bought a farm in partnership in 1866, 
and farmed the rest of their lives here, being widely known as the NORTON 
brothers.  Abram C. never married, and always made his home with the father of 
the subject.
 
The parents of William C. NORTON were married on February 8, 1871.  The mother 
was the daughter of Austin L. and Celestia (COOK) MERRICK, and was born in the 
town of Spring Prairie, this county, on September 21, 1843.  Her father was 
born in Franklin, Delaware county, New York, and he was among the very 
earliest settlers in Walworth county, locating in Spring Prairie township in 
1836, entering land from the government, which he improved and there made his 
home the rest of his life, and there he was married to Esther Celestia COOK, 
who as born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in which state her parents 
died.
 
John H NORTON and wife and Abram C. NORTON, mentioned above, remained on the 
home farm until 1888, when they retired from active life and moved into 
Elkhorn, which has since been the family home.  Abram C. died on February 9, 
1909.  He had been a member of the county board of supervisors and was also an 
alderman in Elkhorn.
 
Three children were born to John H. NORTON and wife, namely: Irene C., William 
Clarence, of this sketch, and Florence L.
 
William C. NORTON lived with his parents on the home farm until he was 
fourteen years of age, and he received his education in the district schools 
of Lafayette township and the high school at Elkhorn, from which he was 
graduated in 1892.  The following year he entered the State University at 
Madison, where he made a splendid record for scholarship, remaining there 
until 1896.  Then he went to California, where he and the family spent a year, 
then returned home and he entered the law department of the State University 
and took the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1900.  Thus well equipped for his 
life work, he came to Elkhorn and began practicing his profession with Joseph 
F. LYON, with whom he remained up to the death of the latter, two years later, 
since which time Mr. NORTON has practiced alone.  He has been very successful 
and now enjoys a large and rapidly growing practice.   He has kept well 
abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession and ranks with the 
leading attorneys in this part of the state.
 
Mr. NORTON is an ardent Republican and has long been active in the ranks.  He 
has served as city attorney and also as a member of the board of education, 
and was chairman of the Republican city committee, filling all these positions 
in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of 
all concerned.  Of recent years he has devoted his attention almost 
exclusively to his profession.
 
Like his worthy father, he is active in Masonic affairs, being a member of the 
blue lodge, the chapter, commandery and the Order of the Eastern Star.
 
Submitted by Carol