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Peter J. Norton
1908, Watertown Thirty Year Club
1912
Watertown Gazette, 02 08 1912
On Sunday, February 4th, 1912, Peter J. Norton died at his home in the town of Emmet, northeast of this city, at the close of an illness of about two weeks, the cause of his death bring pneumonia.
When it was learned he was seriously ill, the people of Watertown and vicinity became greatly interested in his case and all during his illness the hope was expressed on all sides that he would recover and many a prayer was offered up for that purpose. He received the best of medical care and attention, but that terrible disease pneumonia had taken so firm a hold on him that it was impossible to stay its progress till death released him of his suffering.
Mr. Norton was born October 21, 1862, on the farm where he died and up to the time of his death made it his home. When a young man he attended Sacred Heart College and the Northwestern College in this city, and after leaving school he engaged in farming at the old homestead and of recent years was also engaged in the cattle business. He was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and served as state treasurer of the order a number of years. He was also a member of Watertown Council No. 1478 Knights of Columbus, both of which organizations attended his funeral in a body on Wednesday morning. His wife, three sons and two daughters survive him.
Mr. Norton was one of the best known and most honored citizens in this section of the state, and his acquaintance extended all over Wisconsin. He was a man of sterling character, of pronounced opinions, yet liberal in his views when the rights of others were at stake. In his quiet way he was ever exerting charity to people in needy circumstances and it was only a few days before he took sick he was interested in a move to help out a few of those who needed help in our city [during] this terribly cold winter.
Honest in all his transactions, and identifying himself in everything that tended to uplift the morals of this community, all who knew him learned to respect and esteem him, and now that he has passed from earth, he is sincerely mourned as a good and faithful husband and father and a citizen and friend whom everybody felt honored to call their friend.
His funeral was held Wednesday morning from St. Bernard's Church, and was very largely attended. The interment was in St. Bernard's cemetery.
Mr. Norton's funeral services were attended at St Bernard's Church by the larger number of people that has attended a like service there in years.
Rev. Father Norton, brother of the deceased, celebrated Solemn High Mass, with Rev. H. R. Murphy of Columbus, deacon; Rev. J. T. O'Leary of Manitowoc as subdeacon, and Rev. Father Hennessey as master of ceremonies. Rev. Father McBride, pastor of St. John's Cathedral, Milwaukee, preached the funeral sermon, which was one of the very best ever delivered at St. Bernard's. He paid a well-merited and highly-eulogistic tribute to the memory of the deceased.
In the sanctuary were seventeen priests . . .
History of Watertown, Wisconsin