Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.

Hon. Jesse O. NORTON, deceased, whose portrait appears in this work, was born at Bennington, 
Vt., Dec. 25, 1812; he entered Williams College in 1831, and graduated with honor in 1835; he 
came West after graduating, and first taught school at Wheeling, Va., and afterward in Missouri; 
in 1839, he came to Joliet and opened a law office; he was first elected City Attorney; his 
genial manners made him popular, and the people of his county gave him all the honors and 
distinction in their power; in 1846, he was elected County Judge, and reelected in 1848; he 
was also elected to the State Constitutional Convention in 1848; in 1850, he was elected to 
the State Legislature, and in 1852, he was elected to represent this district in the Congress 
of the United States; during that session, he took an active part in the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise, resisting that measure with all his eloquence and power; his course was approved 
by the people of his district, and he was re-elected in 1854; in 1857, he was elected Judge 
of the Circuit Court; he was again elected to Congress in 1862, and served with honor until 
March 5, 1865; in 1866, he was appointed by President Johnson District Attorney for the 
Northern District of Illinois, and removed to Chicago. He subsequently resumed the practice 
of law in company with Judge J. R. DOOLITTLE. He died Aug. 3, 1875, and his remains were 
interred in Oakwood. He married Miss Phoebe Ann SHELDON Dec. 25, 1837, at the residence of 
Gov. DUNKLIN, Potosi, Mo.; they had seven children, four living - Martin, Libbie (now Mrs. 
Gen. J. T. TORRENCE), Annie and Jessie (now Mrs. Wallace C. BARKER), and three who died in 
infancy. Mr. NORTON in youth was sober, industrious, studious and ambitious, and when he 
came to man's estate, in every office he was called to fill by his fellow citizens, he 
performed its duties with industry, promptness, ability and courtesy. There was in him a 
genial, affectionate and loving nature, refined, high-toned and exalted by a true Christian 
life, which those who know him can fully appreciate. It was in his home that these virtues 
of the soul shone forth and made a beauty of character which no wealth can purchase and no 
intellectual greatness can supply.