The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 915 ARCHIE L. NORTON. The "Star of Empire" in its western course has been the beacon light which has led many enterprising men to the Yakima valley, rich with its opportunities, its possibilities and its resources. They have found here conditions which, wisely utilized, have led to the upbuilding of many fortunes that, with a boomerang action, have at the same time promoted the growth and progress of the district. Prominent among the progressive business men of Yakima at the present time is Archie L. Norton, who became general manager of the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company at Yakima in 1910. He was born in St. Charles, Minnesota, December 18, 1882, a son of Thomas and Christina Norton, who in 1883 removed to the Pacific coast, settling at Dayton, Washington. The following year they took up their abode in North Yakima, where the father engaged in well digging and afterward in the transfer business. He died in the year 1911 but the mother is still living. Utilizing his educational opportunities, Archie L. Norton was graduated from the high school of Yakima and then entered the employ of the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company, with which he has worked in all of the departments and in most of the yards. Gradually advancing, he sere ed for a time as local manager at Wapato and at Kennewick and in 1916 was called to the position of general manager at Yakima. The St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company was organized in 1888 at Tacoma, Washington, and a branch office was established at Yakima in May, 1894, with L. Palmer as general manager. The first location was on First avenue, near C street, after which a removal was made to First avenue and Walnut street about 1906. The business was started on one square block and it now covers two blocks on First avenue, South, and a half block on Walnut street. W. O. Scott was the first local manager, continuing until January, 1898, when he was succeeded by C. A. Anderson, who continued until February, 1899. Miles Cannon then became manager and filled the position until August, 1902, when he became general manager of the company, acting in that capacity until 1906. W. P. Taylor was manager at Yakima from July, 1903, until January, 1907, when he became general manager for the company but has since withdrawn from that connection. T. W. Howell served as local manager from August, 1902, until August, 1903, preceding Mr. Taylor. A. E. Rasmussen occupied the position from 1907 until 1909, when he was succeeded by T. E. Manning, who served until 1912. L. B. Ward has been local manager to the present time and Mr. Taylor served as general manager until 1910. C. W. Gamble then occupied the position until 1916, when A. L. Norton was called to the office, which he is now most acceptably filling. The company has yards at Selah, Wapato, Toppenish, White Swan, Sunnyside, Prosser, Kennewick, Richland, Hanford and White Bluffs, all in the Yakima valley; also at Ritzville, Marcellus and Ralston, in Adams county. The officers of the company are: E. G. Griggs, of Tacoma, president; and H. S. Griggs, secretary and treasurer. The former, who was the founder of Troop B of Tacoma, is now a major in the Signal Corps, in charge of the fir aeroplane production. The mills and general offices of the company are at Tacoma and the mills have an output of six hundred and fifty thousand feet of lumber per day. The yards handle a full line of building material and fuel. The major part of the output of the mills is shipped to the east and to California and they also have a complete creosoting plant on the coast. The sales organization through the yards is all managed from Yakima and the Yakima plant is now the oldest yard owned by the company. This is the leading lumber concern of the city and as general manager Mr. Norton has important and extensive duties, connecting him largely with the lumber trade of the northwest. His entire life has been devoted to the service of this company and gradually he has won advancement and promotion until he has reached his present position of responsibility. On the 6th of June, 1917, Mr. Norton was married to Miss Bernice Myer, of Seattle. He is well known in fraternal circles, belonging to the Elks lodge, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He also has membership in the Commercial Club and the Business Men's Association, and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He gives the closest attention to social and community interests and his is a well balanced character. He recognizes life's value and meets every obligation and duty in the matter of citizenship and in his relations with his fellowmen as well as in his business connections. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.