He then went to Kezar Falls where he and Sidney B. Stanley bought the former S.P. Fox Store next to the “Stanley Block” (bank building near the bridge) and sold grain and groceries. About 1910 they took that building down and built the “Norton Block” in its place; one of the larger buildings in Kezar Falls Village. The “Norton Block” building was occupied by the post office and grocery store on the first floor and Norton Hall and later Carl Hammond’s Jewelry Shop on the second floor. (The building was destroyed by fire in 1970.) Will eventually sold that business, purchased the Sutton Edgecomb hardware building across the street and continued the Norton Hardware business until his death.
William T. Norton was born in Porter, Maine April 19, 1873, the son of Appleton and Ursula (Taylor) Norton. He was educated in Porter Schools and at Parsonsfield Seminary. Because of his father’s ill health, he remained at home to help with the family farm for several years.
On December 2, 1919, he married Florence Garner who was the daughter of Allen Garner, an owner of the Kezar Falls Woolen Mill. They resided at her parent’s former home on Elm Street. They had no children.
William was well known and active in the community. He was Treasurer of eight different funds and organizations including the Town of Parsonsfield. He was also Trustee, Treasurer, Steward and Choir Leader in the Riverside United Methodist Church.
William died suddenly on October 18, 1932, at a Kiwanis Club meeting. He was leading the singing – his favorite avocation - singing strongly and keeping time to the music with his arms when he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died.
A memorial stained-glass window is located in the choir loft at the Methodist church just beside where he usually sat. He and his wife, Florence, are buried at the Kezar Falls Burial Grounds in Porter.
Far left - Newbegin Cigar Shop, large middle building - the Stanley Block and the newer Norton Block on the right – circa 1912.
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