Born near Mullins, South Carolina, Norton pursued an academic course, then he left school in 1861 to enter the Confederate States Army.
He was a teacher in the public schools 1866–1870, and engaged in agricultural pursuits and merchandising.
Norton was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-fifth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John L. McLaurin.
[1] He resumed agricultural pursuits and also engaged in the real estate business.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress