Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

2888 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANSwas a resident of Lithonia; and Ira, who is engaged in farming on the oldhomestead in Dekalb County. Six children were born to Jabez A. andRachel Norton, namely: Rev. Charles A., who is a minister of the MethodistEpiscopal Church, South, on the Rome Circuit; Lemuel Bond, of this notice;Chloe, who is the wife of John McArthur, of Lithonia; Elizabeth, who is thewife of J. K. Davidson, a prominent granite manufacturer of Lithonia;Bert, who is the wife of H. W. Bishop, of Lithonia; and Fannie, who is thewife of S. T. Combs, of this city.Lemuel Bond Norton received only a country school education, and wasbrought up to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. However, he had nodesire for a career in farming, and accordingly, as a youth, began to study law.After some preparation, he began to read under the preceptorship of Hon. R. W.Milner, of Covington, Georgia, and applied himself so assiduously to his studiesthat he was soon admitted to the bar under Judge Richard A. Clark, of theStone Mountain Superior Court. In 1894 Mr. Norton began practice at bothAtlanta and Lithonia, where he has continued to maintain offices, having a largeand representative clientele at both places. Mr. Norton has not ceased to be astudent, but devotes a large part of his time to his legal volumes, owning one ofthe finest private libraries in Dekalb County. He holds membership in the various organizations of his profession, and is everywhere recognized as an astute,learned and conscientious lawyer. For a number of years an active Democrat, he has been a more or less familiar figure on the stump during elections, and was one of the warmest supporters of Gov. Joseph M. Terrell, onwhose staff he served. He was also the first recorder of Lithonia, an office inwhich he acted one term, and for three years was mayor of Lithonia andgave the people an excellent administration. His attention is devoted to hispractice to the exclusion of outside matters, but he enjoys the companionship of his fellow-men, and is popular in fraternal circles, belonging to theMasons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias andthe Improved Order of Red Men. When he is able to get away from theexacting duties of his practice, he spends his vacations in travel, and is alsofond of fishing and out-of-door sports. "With his family Mr. Norton belongsto the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he serves as steward. Personally, Mr. Norton is a man of genial, kindly disposition, and his appearance reflects the statesmanlike qualities which he possesses in large degree.In his list of acquaintances are numbered some of the foremost men ofGeorgia, and his friendships are numerous.On November 5, 1902, in Dekalb County, Georgia, at the home of thebride, Mr. Norton was united in marriage with Miss Mabel Chubb, daughterof Jacob L. and Nona (Bramlett) Chubb, of a prominent family of Lithonia.To this union there have come two children: Laniar, born September 21,1903, and now attending school; and Helen, who died at the age of sevenyears, on the 15th of November, 1914. Mrs. Norton died on the 12th ofSeptember, 1916.BRIG.-GEN. WILLIAM D. SMITH had given promise of large usefulness as a soldier, when his life was cut short in the second year of the warbetween the states. He was a native Georgian, born in 1826, and appointed acadet in the United States Military Academy at the age of sixteen in 1842.In 1846 he was graduated as brevet second lieutenant, and immediately enteredthe army, then engaged in active service in Mexico. He took part in the siegeof Vera Cruz, the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, and Molinodel Rey, being severely wounded in the last named battle. After the Mexicanwar he served at various places on garrison duty, and saw active service onthe Indian frontier. In 1858 he had attained the rank of captain, which hewas holding when Georgia seceded. He resigned January 28, 1861; tenderedhis services to the Confederacy, and was commissioned captain of infantry,