JUDGE FRED HARRISON NORTON, probate judge, was born September 21, 1888, at Rock Run, the son of Fielder McNeil and Mary Elizabeth (Cambron) Norton; grandson of Isaac Marion Norton, Confederate soldier.
He entered the employ of the Rock Run Iron Company in 1904, where he remained for twenty years. In 1926 he went with the Treat Orchard Company at Esom Hill, and in 1935 he became clerk of the probate court in Cherokee County. In 1946 he was elected without opposition to the office of probate judge.
On June 6, 1910 he married Myrtle Ellis, daughter of John T. and Nina Catherine (Acker) Ellis of near Spring Garden. They have the following children: Harold Fred; Frances Roberta and Charles Frank, twins; and John McNeil. Harold Fred married Anita Lloyd. Frances Roberta married Dr. T. Stratton Jones. Frank married Virginia Hall, and John married Elizabeth Arnold. John is a captain in the armed services.
Judge Norton served for ten years as the city clerk of Centre.
He was a Methodist and a Mason.
His brothers and sisters are: Charles Frank; Garvin Holmes; John Harvey; William Edward, Pluma (Mrs. Sam Weems); Nellie (Mrs. Charles) Johnson.
Source: Mrs. Frank Ross Stewart, Cherokee County History, 1836—1956, Volume 2 (Centre, Alabama, 1959), pp. 252-253. Reprinted with permission.