Otis Norton

Otis West Norton (27 February 1809, Cambridge, New York – 15 May 1889, Janesville, Wisconsin)[1] was an American businessman from Rock County, Wisconsin who served for three years (1848–1850) as a Whig member of the Wisconsin State Senate from the 15th Senate District; his home town at that time is listed as Milton.[2] He was succeeded in the Senate by Andrew Palmer, a Democrat.

In 1853, he was listed as one of the directors of the Beloit and Madison Railroad and is reported to be living in Janesville.[3] He was President of the Central Bank of Wisconsin in Janesville (later to become the First National Bank of Janesville) when it opened in October 1855,[4] and served as a bondsman for the bank from 1855-1858[5] He appears in an 1858 Janesville city directory, with his presidency of the Central Bank and Norton & Co. (grain, produce and commercial merchants, and freight forwarding) listed as his businesses; he was on the board of directors of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of the City of Janesville, and of the Janesville Gas Light Company.[6]

References
  1. Otis Norton at Find a Grave, including an obituary from the Janesville Gazette
  2. Members of the Wisconsin Legislature, 1848-1999 Madison: State of Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, 1999; p. 14 Archived 2006-12-09 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Hunt, John Warren. "Wisconsin Gazetteer: Containing the names, locations and advantages, of the counties, cities, towns, villages, post office, and settlements, together with a description of the lakes, water courses, prairies, and public localities, in the State of Wisconsin, alphabetically arranged" Madison: Beriah Brown, Printer; p. 48
  4. Spencer, John C. "Looking backward: brief and important historical data relating to Janesville and its immediate vicinity" in Janesville Fire Department: souvenir published in the interest of the Firemen's Relief Association Janesville (Wis.): Bissell & Dougherty, compilors, 1902; no pagination
  5. Dennis, Wm. M. "Annual report of the bank comptroller, of the state of Wisconsin, for the year 1855", p. 26; in Governor's message and accompanying documents Madison: Calkins and Proudfit, 1856 (Covers 1855) et seq.
  6. The Janesville directory, and business mirror, containing the names of citizens, a business directory, state record, and an appendix of much useful information Janesville: Smith, Du Moulin & Co., compilers, 1858; pp. 46, 73, 74, 91,93


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