The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-05-30
Sketch ola Former Citizen of Wheel.

| A correspondent Of the Cincinnati
Gasstb writes an account of the Norton
Iron Works, at Ashland, Ky, OF which
L. NJ. MORTON, ESQ, formcElyof this city
Is the protector and president, and con-
cudes with this sketch of Mr. NoRToy
and his family
In view OF the facts before me, and the
positive importance Of this square enter
prise, would regard this letter as incom.
plete il | failed TO tinge Its bulky state.
mcnt with CLEAN or two OF biographical
personality. In first singing Col. f. N.
Norton out as the principal target Of my
personal shafts, Of course 1t Is understood
that any warmth Of distinction con-
lerred on him is not intended as depreca
tory of any other gentlemen who have
been Is devoted and as earnest US he, in
this and similar enterprises.
Col Norton Is, believe, Philadel-
phian by birth, spending his early boy
hood in Germantown, and his later al
Pittsburgh, Pa. He was left an orphan
ct twelve years Of age, with the response
bilily OF dependent family on his hands
THIS trust, even at that tender age, he
faithfully aud bravely assumed, and rear
ed his brothers and sisters to selisuppOEt-
lug years Hs Was practical nailOr, and
50, without the advantages oil schools or
other assistance, his lite was launched
forth rather tempestuOusly. When about
thirty Gears oil aye, he came TO Wheeling,
W. Va. There ho laid the foundation
OF his fame, and displayed the insur-
mouulable energy which now, at the age
Of above sixty, and in his suit Of gray
hair, he Is still bringing TO bear with such
splendid practical results.
The Norton Nail Works Of Wheeling
and OF Bellairc have been as famed Us
any Industrial productive institutions In
the whole country. The firm was Nor.
4tun, Baily & Co, Riterwsrd the Belmont
Works, q company composed Of practical
mechanics like Col. N. The ola Belle"
Works grew out Of this as an ofshoot.
At BenWOod the famous concern OF Nor
ton, Mendenhall d Co. was founded.
WAY back in the earliest years OF the
war / remember that firm name In nam.
moth letters on the river front OF their
factory at Benwood.
At Wheeling, Col. Norton and brothers
revived the utterly dead iron production.
The same, or more, might be satd oil his
effort OF Benwood. Being Of nervous,
pioneer disposition he soon saw new or
unworked opportunities, and, alter bring
ing into existence various furnaces, &c,
he gradually dropped into lrontOn when
the iron Industry there was at q compare.
tive standstill. With characteristic en-
ergy, the Norton brothers Joined by en-
teTDrising citizens Of IrontOn, revived the
dropping industry there, and built the
Bellont furnace, and started the manuiac'
turc Of nails on large basis. This Is in
fine running order now, Alr. F. D: Nor
ton, brother Of Col. N, being President OF
the company, Col. Norton himself, haV'
ing been chosen to that position for five
consecutive years.
Then, this greater and GROWING enter.
prise of his lile-the Norton Iron Works
was projected.
In 1860 Col. Norton (whO was then
plain Mr.. Norton) was delegate TO tho
Chicago Convention, and took most &C.
tive part in the opposition to Mr.. Seward
and in favor of the nomination Of Honest
Old Abe. During the war President
Lincoln rendered Mr.. Norton the trying
position Of u. S. Marshal Of West Virgin.
Ia. He accepted, and held the office TIL
during the administration Of Andy john
son, when he resigned TO ro.entGr the
field OF productive enterprise, which by
reason OF our civil war, had been so par.
, aiyZed and crippled.
Col. Norton has raised up an agreeable
family, and his household is one Of the
J pleasantest and most delightful. Mrs.
Norton Is the very soul Of energy md en-.
, thusiasm, and she has, with a singleness
Of purpose that liits her far above the
realms OF shallow unrealily and fashion
occupied by most woman, given to the
practical enterprises Of her husband that
gentle vet strong and sustaining courage
which only devoted wife hAs ability TO
} bequeath.
Mr.. John NJ. Norton, son OF Capt, Geo.
, W. Norton, who met with such q tragic
, loss Of lite by the steamer explosion some
years ago, Is, in a minor degree, member
{ Of Col. Ms household. This young gen.
c tleman has superintended the erection oil
tue entire works, and has won the highest
: euc0miums from all quarters for the mas
a terly and admirable manner Of his per-
Torrance OF this responsible duty.
One son OF Col. Norton Is IN officer in
: the regular army, now serving in the
: West. He is the pride Ofhis iAthGr. Tive
/ other sons, +. ]. and E. s. Norton, assist
!. their father (who makes his headquNrterI
t in the saddle in the conduct oil this enter
5 prise as Secretaries. The eldest daugh-
:, Ter Is the wife OF Mr.. Jos. Campbell O
D Ironton, young gentleman OF most en-
|, gazing sttlinmentS, graduate OF Troy
2 PJlytt clinic Institute, and q practical
progressive iron manufacturer. Ayoung
r er daughter, Miss Jennie, Is the pet OF thu
household, tripping over tho carpets lik'
. = fairy, snd tilling the halls with sWeeies
il music. She graees = happy domestic cir
! cle-and an equally happy one OF friend
. ship-wilh rare charms OF manner, cui
4 ilyated Intellect, and SplE!tuells beauty