Prominent among the sturdy yeomanry of Oakland County is found the subject of this sketch, John M. Norton, who was born in the town of Richmond, Ontario county. State of New York, May 5, 1820, and removed with his parents, in 1824, to Michigan. His father, John Norton, was a native of Massachusetts, and a Free-Will Baptist minister by profession and practice. His mother, also a native of Massachusetts, was, in her girlhood, Naomi Short. The parents located in the spring of 1824, in the township of Oakland, on one hundred and sixty acres in section 25, and erected a house on the same, which is now owned by Mrs. Townsend. The father was extensively identified with the early settlement of the township, and died universally respected, in June, 1832. John was thus, at the tender age of twelve years, thrown wholly upon his own resources, his mother having died when he was but five years old. From the date of his father's death till he was twenty-seven years old, as boy and man, he wrought as a farm laborer. At the last date (October 6, 1847), he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Hazen, whose nativity was the same as his own, though she was ten years his junior, being born January 22, 1830. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Norton removed to the township of De Witt, in Clinton county, where he remained, however, but one summer, when he sold out his purchase of one hundred and sixty acres and returned to Oakland County, and purchased a farm in the township of Novi, whereon he remained for eight years, when he disposed of the same, and removed into the township of Avon. From Avon he removed to the township of Troy, where he purchased an excellent farm of one hundred and seventy-three acres, but which, in 1865, he disposed of, and returning to Avon, purchased one hundred and sixty-seven acres, on which he now resides, and to which he subsequently added forty acres. He has improved it, until at the present writing it is one of the best of the many most excellent homesteads in the township. A view of the fine residence, and portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Norton, adorn another page of our work. Five children — four sons and one daughter have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Norton: Alvira, born December, 1849 ; William H., born April 11, 1852 ; John T., September 15, 1855 ; Clarence S., December 20, 1859 ; and Grant, September 20, 1869. Mr. Norton has been identified with the Republican party in his political affiliations since its organization. He has filled acceptably to the people the office of under-sheriff of Oakland County six years, town collector three years, and other positions of less note. He is orthodox in his religious views and sentiments. He is a most systematic farmer, and, per consequence, a highly successful one, and is in his personal characteristics benevolent and affable, and is one to whom the needy never apply in vain for relief.