Richard H. Norton

As printed in 1888

Richard H. Norton, one of the leading attorneys of Troy, and son of Elias and Mary (McConnell) Norton, and grandson of William and Sarah (Harlan) Norton, was born in Troy, November 6, 1849. The grandparents moved from Kentucky to Scott County, Ind., at an early day and were there married. The grandfather was a cabinet-maker by occupation, and was for a number of years county judge. He was a Democrat in politics, and both he and wife lived to a good old age, dying in Indiana. In their family were two sons, both of whom found their way to Lincoln County, Mo. The only one now living is Elias Norton, father of our subject. He was born in Scott County, Ind., August 1, 1820, and while growing up worked a short time in his father's shop, after which he went to school, but onlv for a few months. In 1842 he came to Lincoln County, Mo., drove the stage for some time, and then turned his attention to hotel keeping. In 1860 he was chosen sheriff and collector of this county, which position he held until the breaking out of the late war. He took no part in this, except to save a company of Germans from slaughter, and thereby prevented retaliation on his own community. For about fourteen years after the war he was engaged in merchandising, but retired in 1883. Many years previous, in 1844, he married Miss Mary McConnell, a native of Virginia. By this union he became the father of three sons. After the death of his first wife Mr. Norton married Miss Carrie Williams, a native of Pennsylvania. She lived but six weeks. In 1871 Mr. Norton married Miss Ella Turner, a native of Pike County, Mo., and to this union were born five children, all sons. His first wife was a Methodist, the second an Episcopalian, and his present wife is a Presbyterian. He is a Democrat, and one of the board of directors of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings Bank. When he came to Lincoln County he had a little over a dollar and, notwithstanding the fact that he has lost about $30,000, he now owns between 8,000 and 10,000 acres of land. On this he has a fine prospect for coal, though, as yet, it has not been developed. His son, Richard H. Norton, was educated in the Troy schools and St. Louis University. At the age of twenty he began reading law under A. Y. McKee, and graduated from the law department of the Washington University in 1870, after which he located at Troy, where he has practiced ever since. In 1874 he married Miss Annie Ward, daughter of Dr. James A. Ward, by whom he has a daughter. Mr. Norton is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the A. O. U. W., and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. He is also one of the board of directors of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings Bank of Troy, and has always been a Democrat in politics. In 1884 he ran for the nomination as Representative in Congress from the Seventh District. Several candidates were in the field, of whom he and Elijah Robinson, of Pike County, were the strong candidates, too strong indeed, for either to be elected. Again, in 1886, when the race for the nomination to the same office was made, he and Mr. Robinson found themselves pitted against each other. The nomination again fell to an obscure candidate, scarcely known in the race, but like Hector and Achilles, neither would succumb, and the friends of each did their utmost to have their favorites nominated in August, Mr. Norton proving to be the successful candidate. He is accounted one of the leading lawyers of this section. John A. Overall, farmer and stock raiser, of Lincoln County, of which he is a native, was born in 1838, and is the seventh of ten children born to William O. and Elizabeth (Crenshaw) Overall. They were born in Nelson and Bullitt Counties, Ky., and were reared and married in their native State. They came to Lincoln County, Mo., about 1837, and here spent the remainder of their days, dying in 1869 and 1877, respectively. John A. Overall, their son, attended the district schools of his county in boyhood, and remained with his parents until he attained his majority, when he began farming for himself, and in 1868 was married to Ellen Argent, and by her became the father of seven children, six living: John William, Ida E., Albert S., Roily H., Francis M. and Jessie B. Mr. Overall has spent his entire life on the farm of his birth, and now has over 1,000 acres in different tracts. He takes great interest in raising fine cattle, hogs and sheep, and is one of the extensive and prosperous farmers of the county. He votes the Democratic ticket, and his first presidential vote was cast for Breckinridge in 1860. His wife died in 1881. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and was an earnest Christian, and devoted mother and wife. Her parents, John and Nancy Argent, were born in England and Maryland, respectively. The father's birth occurred in 1808 near London, and at the age of twelve years he came with a married sister to the United States, settling in St. Louis, and later in Troy. He was married in St. Charles County, and was twice married after his first wife's death. He died in 1871.

James Wiley Owen was born in Halifax County, of the "Old North State," in 1843, and is the eldest of three children born to William H. and Lucy A. (Jones) Owen, also North Carolinians, where they resided until 1817, when they came to Lincoln County, Mo. Here the mother died two years later, and the father in 1850. Sheridan Owen the grandfather, served as a colonel in the Revolutionary War, and James Wiley Jones, the other grandfather, was also a Revolutionary soldier. James Wiley, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools, and after his parents' death lived with Joel Blanks until he was twenty-two years of age, but had worked for himself after he had attained his nineteenth year. He was married in 1866 to Sarah C, a daughter of Lorenze D. and Mary Ann Hill, natives of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Owen have one daughter living, Clara

Belle, and three children dead, W. H., L. A. and T. Owen. Mr. Owen has a well-cultivated farm of 326 acres of land, and in connection with farming he is quite an extensive stock dealer, and has a fine herd of short-horned cattle. He has been a Democrat in his political views all his life, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. When Owen Station was established it was named in his honor.

As printed in History of Lincoln County, Missouri, from the earliest time to the present (1888). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.