Noah Norton facts for kids

Noah Norton (born April 7, 1786 – died January 31, 1877) was an important person in early American history. He worked for the government and helped start museums. He was also a prospector during the exciting California Gold Rush. Noah Norton helped create two towns: Adrian, Michigan, and Nortonville, California.

Noah Norton's Early Life

Noah Norton was born in Greene County, New York, on April 7, 1786. When he was a young man, he moved close to Lake Ontario. There, he became a government officer. His job was to stop people from illegally bringing goods across the border between the United States and Canada. This was called smuggling.

When the War of 1812 began, Noah Norton joined the army. He served as a Lieutenant. He fought bravely in a big battle called the Battle of Lundy's Lane.

Life in Michigan and Museum Work

After the war, Noah Norton moved his family to a wild area. This place later became the town of Adrian, Michigan. In 1827, the first church service in Adrian was held at the Norton family home.

Noah Norton volunteered again during the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). He worked for the secret service, gathering important information. After the war, he returned to Adrian for a short time. Then, he went on a trip to collect interesting items for a museum in Pensacola, Florida. Later, he even started his own museum in Adrian.

Adventures in California

During the exciting California Gold Rush (1848–1855), Noah Norton sold his museum. He joined a group traveling by wagon to California. He took a route through the southern part of the country. In 1850, he was one of the first people to settle in Los Angeles, California.

After farming in Los Angeles for a few years, Noah Norton returned to Adrian. Sadly, his wife died soon after. He later remarried and moved back to California. This time, he settled in Contra Costa County, California. Here, he started looking for coal.

In 1855, he founded the town of Nortonville, California. A large coal mine called the "Black Diamond" was located there. Today, Nortonville is a historic preserve. It is managed by the East Bay Regional Park District.

His wife, Sarah Norton, was a well-known midwife in the area. She helped many families. She was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Nortonville.

Noah Norton's Later Years and Burial

Noah Norton died on January 31, 1877. He is buried in the Webster Family Plot at the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, California. The Websters were his grandchildren.