The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 945 WILLIAM E. NORTON. William E. Norton of the Yakima Transfer Company is one of the citizens that Minnesota has contributed to the state of Washington. He was born in St. Charles, Minnesota, March 5, 1881, his parents being Thomas and Christina (Gilmore) Norton, who removed to Dayton, Washington, in 1883. The father came to North Yakima in 1885 and he was joined by his family in 1888. He purchased a ranch and devoted his remaining days to agricultural pursuits. His widow survives and is yet living in Yakima. William E. Norton, after mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools of Yakima, began learning the harness-making trade in preparation for the practical duties of a business life. He later entered the transfer business in connection with his father under the firm style of Norton & Son and eventually purchased the business, which he conducted under the name of the Norton Transfer & Storage Company at No. 11 North Front street. Later he and J. J. Crawford bought out the Yakima Transfer Company, which had been established by Linbarger Brothers and W. L. Steinweg and which was later owned by Linbarger, Kelso & Wilcox. Eventually the business was taken over by T. J. Manahan and on the 1st of March, 1917, was purchased by J. J. Crawford and W. F. Norton. The business has been conducted at No. 11 South First avenue for the past two years. They occupy two floors of a building two hundred by one hundred and forty feet, in addition to which they have a warehouse with barns at No. 415 North Front street. Their equipment includes nine teams, one single rig and two auto trucks and they employ about fifteen people. They are conducting the largest transfer business between Spokane and the coast and they also have a very large storage business. Mr. Norton's partner, John J. Crawford, who is his brother-in-law, is now with the Field Artillery in the United States army, and Mr. Norton continues the business, which he is carefully conducting. His earnest efforts to please his patrons, the thoroughness with which he accomplishes whatever is entrusted to him and his enterprising methods have been the dominant element in the attainment of the substantial success which the firm has won. Mr. Norton is a valued member of Elks Lodge No. 318, of Yakima and his name is also on the membership rolls of the Commercial Club and the Business Men's Association. His study of the political questions and issues of the day has led to his stalwart support of the republican party. Practically his entire life has been spent in the west. He is a firm believer in Washington and its future and his own life illustrates the possibilities for successful accomplishment in this section of the country that is undergoing such rapid and such substantial development. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.