Judge Ira Norton
Judge Ira Norton was the twelfth child of Lt. Miles Norton, and his third wife, Anne Agard Norton. He was born at Goshen CT, on Oct 6, 1783 and emigrated to Great Valley, Cattaraugus County, New York where he was one of the earliest settlers.
He is found in the Cattaraugus County census of 1820, which lists Heads of Families.
In 1807, he located in Franklinville, and in 1816 he located on farm in Peth. He was appointed associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1820. He had previously served as a supervisor and a Justice of the Peace.
The first meeting of what would later become the Presbyterian Church of Great Valley was held at his home. He was a deacon of that chuch and firmly opposed to the use of intoxicating liquors. He was the first person in Great Valley to have a "raising" without furnishing liquor to his helpers. The raising of his own residence was the first "dry raising" in the town.
He lived in Great Valley for half a century and saw the unbroken forests give place to fertile fields and pleasant homes. He died in 1866, "full of years and full of honors" at the age of 83. He married, while in Goshen, Lucy Perkins.
Of their fourteen children, nine grew to maturity. One of them, the Honorable Nelson I Norton, was justice of the peace for 20 years, supervisor, member of state assembly, presidential elector and member of Congress. Nelson is buried in the Maplehurst Cemetery in Hinsdale.
Children: Esther Lucinda- died as an infant Esther Lucinda (2)- b. Jun 25, 1805 d. Mar 2, 1887 Samantha b. Feb1, 1807 d. Mar 4, 1840 Emmeline b. Nov 18, 1808 twins died in infancy Miles Perkins b. Feb 1, 1814 d. Aug 26, 1837 Lucy Phelps b. Jan 10, 1816 Andrew L b. Apr 27, 1818 d. 1893 m. Polly Ann Bacon (b. Jun 3, 1823) Nelson Ira b. Apr 30, 1820 William Wallace b. Mar 18, 1822 Marvin b. May 7, 1824 d. in infancy Edwin DeWitt b. May 7, 1827