Rev. C.R. Norton 1845-1926

NORTON, MORRIS, JONES, HILLYARD

Posted By: Volunteer - Barbara Evans
Date: 7/13/2012 at 10:44:01

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Scrapbook A, page 405, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA

Obituary of Rev. C.R. Norton
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From Los Angeles Times

Rev. C.R. Norton died at 6:35 o’clock last Wednesday, September 8, 1926, at his home 801 East Wilson. His death marks the close of a life for four score years, filled with activity as a Civil War veteron[sic], Methodist minister, Odd Fellow, republican and possessor of an unlimited friendship.

Glendale has claimed Rev. Mr. Norton as a citizen for the past twenty-three years during which he has been a well known personality and familiar figure in patriotic, religious and civic affairs of the city.

During his first year in Glendale Rev. Mr. Norton built the little bungalow home on East Wilson, where he and Mrs. Norton have lived most happily and extended cordial hospitality, and where he was surrounded by relatives and friends during his recent…[Note: The sentence is unfinished.]

Charles R. Norton was born December 2, 1845, at Marietta, Ohio, and it was from the Buckeye state that he enlisted at 18 years for service during the Civil War. He was a member of Co. F, 148th Ohio Infantry.

Upon returning from the war he moved with his parents to southwestern Iowa. He received his college education at the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, entering the Iowa Methodist Episcopal conference in 1871 and serving for thirty-one years in varions[sic] pulpits.

Rev. Mr. Norton was married May 6, 1873, to Amanda Jane Morris of Van Buren county, Iowa. Rev. J.C. Kendrick, now a resident of Pasadena, officiated at the wedding. The friendship of the Nortons and Rev. Mr. Kendrick has been a happy feature of their living in California. Rev. Mr. Kendrick, who is past 80 years of age, will officiate Saturday at Rev. Mr. Norton’s funeral.

Upon the Nortons’ arrival in Glendale in 1903, Rev. Mr. Norton at once took active interest in the religious life of the little community. He organized the First Methodist Episcopal church society which resulted in the building of the first Methodist Episcopal church building at the corner of Wilson avene[sic] and Everett street. He was pastor emeritus of the church and his memory will be fittingly perpetuated in every phase of the ever-growing church organization.

His denominational activity in Southern California also included pastorates at Casa Verdugo Methodist church, Glendale and at Cucamonga, where he built church buildings. He retired from active ministry in 1913, completing forty-one years of service.

Rev. Mr. Norton had been an Odd Fellow for fifty-seven years and was a member of Lone Star lodge, Milton, Iowa. He was always interested in Glendale lodge, No. 228, in which he had many friends and to which he was always heartily welcomed.

As a Civil War veteran he was a member of N.P. Banks Post, No. 170 G.A.R., which he served as chaplain. He had also served as Chaplain of the Southern California veteran’s association.

Throughout his life Rev. Mr. Norton had been a devoted republican and always ready to express loyalty to party. In the past year he was associated with the Glendale Evening New Sunset club, composed of Glendale residents past 80 years of age.

Besides his widow Rev. Mr. Norton leaves six children, all of whom reside in Glendale and Los Angeles: W.R. Norton, C. C. Norton, M.E. Norton, E.P. Norton, sons; and Mrs. Lester Jones and Mrs. Claude Hillyard, daughters. He also leaves five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon in the First Methodist Episcopal church, North Kenwood and East Wilson. Rev. Mr. Kendrick and other Methodist ministers, close friends of Rev. Mr. Norton, will officiate. Interment will take place in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Active pall bearers will be three representatives of the church and three odd Fellows. G.A.R. veterns[sic] will be named honorary pallbearers.