Pvt. Samuel H. Norton

Pvt. Samuel H. Norton

F Co. 15th Ill. Vol. Inf.

Lead Mine Regiment, Washburn

   21 year old Carpenter.
   Home of record listed as Elgin, Ill's.
   Issued .69 US Altered Musket.

Post war;
   Listed on the 1870 Illinois State Census #237/346 as aged 32 years, from New York, living in Elgin.
   Joined Elgin GAR Veteran Post #49 Aug. 2, 1887.

Obit – March 30, 1900 issue of the Elgin Daily Courier
       Samuel H. Norton died at his home in Chicago, Thursday, after an illness of five years.   His age was 60 years.
       Mr. Norton was born at Illion, New York, and came to this city with his parents in 1814, residing here until two years ago, when he went to the soldiers' home at Quincy.   During the last year he had resided with a daughter in Chicago.
       He learned the carpenter trade and was engaged in that work for many years, doing considerable contracting hereabouts.   He enlisted in company F, of the Fifteenth Illinois volunteer infantry and saw much service during the civil war.   He was a member of Veteran post G.A.R., of this city.
       The amputation of a limb became necessary several years ago and his health was very poor thereafter.   He was unassuming and retiring and devoted to his family.
       Four daughters survive him, Mrs. J. W. Grant of Dundee, Mrs. George Wright of this city, May of Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, and Bertie of Chicago.
       Mrs. Abby Fish of this city, Mrs. Case of Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, and Mrs. Adams of Trenton, New Jersey, are sisters.
       The funeral will be at the home of Mrs. Fish, 265 Douglas avenue, Saturday at 2 o'clock.   Burial at Elgin Cemetery.


   Obit: March 30, 1900 issue The Elgin Daily News.
   Samuel H. Norton, a former resident of this city, passed away at 6:25 last evening at the home of his daughter, Miss Birdie Norton, of Chicago, from paralysis.  He suffered from two strokes previous to the last.  Mr. Norton was born in Herkinger county, N. Y., 60 years ago.  When a boy of 6 years he moved to Elgin with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Norton sr.  His father followed the blacksmith trade and ran a shop at Crystal Lake.  His son learned the carpenters trade and followed it in Elgin for many years, leaving here about three years ago to go to the soldiers home in Quincy, Ill.  Last October he came to Chicago to reside with his daughter.  He was an invalid for the past five years.
   Four daughters survive him, Mrs. J. W. Grant of Dundee.  Miss May Norton, Grand Rapids, Wisc.  Mrs. Geo. Wright, Elgin and Miss Birdie Norton of Chicago.  Mrs. A. B. Fish of Elgin; Mrs. H. C. Adams, Trenton N. J., and Mrs. H. P. Chase of Grand Rapids, Wis., are sisters.
   The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon from the home of Mrs. A. B. Fish on Douglas avenue.

   Buried in the GAR section of the Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Ill.

From the collection of Ken Gough

US Altered Musket

Model 1816 Springfield / dated 1827

Used with permission Dan Mallett

Members of GAR Post 49 sewed watch faces to their ribbons to show they came from Elgin.