Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-03-16
CAPTAIN v. w. NORTON.
Death Suddenly Claims Gallant Veteran
and Good Citizen.
BURIED BY HIS LOVING COMRADES.

II
BURIED BY HIS LOVING COMRADES.
The Remains Escorted to the Csmetsr,
by Many Friends.
Before taking his departure fol
Washington Capt. V. w. Norton, a
il anticipating what actually occurred
expressed the wish that should he
die during his absence from BrookIngs
that his remains be brought back and
the funeral held at the G.. A. r. hall
in this city and that his comrades OF
Robert L. McCook Post take charge
OF the ceremonies. 1t was there
fore fitting that this request be
carried out in accordance with his
wishes, and for many reasons, chief
among these being the fact that ii
was largely through his instrument
ality that the hall was built and since
its erection has cared for and practi-
cally taken all the responsibility of it
upon his own shoulders up to the time
Of his departure for the Pacific coast.
And when his remains were removed
to the cemetery his faithful comrades
had wrapped them in the folds Of the
flag which the deceased had raised SO
often on the staff above the hall.
Vinal White Norton was born at
Truxton, Cortland county, New York,
May 81, 1884. He was but ten years
old when his parents died and he then
became ward of his uncle living in
Opondaga county. In 1854 he moved
to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin,
and engaged in farming.
October 10, 1861, he enlisted in
Company ID, 18th Wisconsin Volun-
teer Infantry, and served until July
16, 1865. He was early promoted to
the office of sergeant ana on Febru-
ary /, 1866, was promoted to first
sergeant. While in the service he
participated in the engagements Of
LeMars, Mississippi, Siege Of Vicks-
burg, Meridian campaign, the Atlanta
campaign, March to the Sea and
through ther rCarolinas. The Twelfth
Wisconsin marched more miles dur
ing the war than any other regiment
In the service. He participated in
the Grand Review after reaching
Washington.
In 1867, Capt. Norton moved to
Clay county, Iowa, and took a home
stead claim. The next year he went
to Dodge county, Mimi, where he
lived on farm until 1879. He then
came to Dakota and took up a tree
claim near the village of Fountain,
which he still owned at the time of his
death. The captain had worked at
the carpenter trade in Minnesota, and
upon coming here erected number
of the first buildings In the village of
Fountain, When the railroad reached
Brookings, Fountain was abandoned
and Mr.. Norton moved to this city
where he erected a number of the
first buildings in this place and for
several years continued taking con-
tracts.
He was one of the first members Of
Company G., South Dakota Militia,
and was appointed lieutenant of the
company. In the reorganization that
followed and at the time the regi-
ment was changed from Second to
First, Mr.. Norton was commissioned
captain Of, Company G and served in
that capacity until it was mustered
out IN the spring of 1897.
In 1855, Mr.. Norton was united In
marriage to Miss Martha Wilcox, a
daughter of Daniel and Eliza Wilcox,
of Fond du Lac, Wis. Two children
were born to them; Fred, who resides
on farm near Bushnell, this county,
and Alice, Mrs. William Arden, of the
state of Washington, who accom-
panied his remains to this city.
Capt. Norton was a member of the
AtouCiu II. nCSOch l. OSuy ". IN. Is., Va
which he was one of the organizers in
1883. For several years past he has
lived quiet and retired life but has
always maintained an interest in the
affairs OF the city, county, state and
nation. He was known to almost
everybody in the city and county and
enjoyed the respect and esteem Of all
his neighbors who will miss his IA
miliar form which has for so many
years passed to and fro upon our
streets.
His remains arrived from Wash
ington Monday night and we're taken
in charge by the members Of Robert
L. McCook Post and conveyed to the
Grand Army hall where they re-
mained under guard until o'clock
Tuesday afternoon when the funera
service was conducted by Rev. Thos
H. Youngman, of the M. e. church