Retired farmer, of 1852 Summit Street, Columbus, Ohio.

Son of Ralph and Elizabeth (Thurston) Longwell, predeceased by wife Ella Estelle Longwell.

During the Civil War, Norton served his country as a Private in Company D, 20th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

From Baskins' 1880 History of Delaware County:

"NORTON T. LONGWELL, farmer; P. O. Kilbourne; is a descendant of one of the early settlers and pioneers of the county ; born in this township April 20, 1842, and a son of Ralph S. and Elizabeth (Thurston) Longwell ; born in New York in 1804. Ralph Longwell was born in 1792 in Maryland, and emigrated to this State in 1806 ; located in Berkshire, and participated in the war of 1812 ; he died June 8, 1872, in this township.

Norton T. was the tenth of a family of thirteen children, nine are living; there were but two boys, one who was a surgeon in the army with the rank of Major, and died at Camp Chase.

Norton was the youngest boy, and has always remained at home; Oct. 7, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 20th O. V. I., and served three years ; he was Orderly on the General's staff ; since his return home, he has been engaged in farming ; has 164 acres situated immediately north of Eden.

April 9, 1867, married Ella E. Hyde, who was born in 1848 ; she is a daughter of Udney and Olive (Hunter) Hyde, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of Connecticut ; have two children-Carrie, born Sept. 29, 1872, and Raymond, June 21, 1874.

The early training of the pioneers of Brown Township soon made itself felt after their settlement in the wilderness. Though their trials and cares were heavy, they found time to read a chapter from the old Bible, and return thanks to God for preservation and protection. The first society formed in the neighborhood was in 1828, and of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. It was organized at Mr. Thurston's, and consisted of himself and wife, Joseph Thurston and wife, Zenas Leonard and wife, and Phoebe Thrall. Once a week they would meet together, and, as they were without a shepherd, prayer-meetings only were held.

Soon after the Methodists got well into the harness, the Presbyterians commenced work. They organized a society at Mr. Thurston's, as his cabin seems to have been a kind of religious headquarters. For a number of years, these two societies continued their meetings under these limited circumstances. At length, a society of the New School Presbyterians was formed, with the following members: John Hestwood and wife, Hugh Lee and wife, Robert Kinkaid and wife, James Kinkaid and wife. They built a church of hewed logs, in which they worshiped for several years; the Methodists also occupied it on special occasions. In 1841, a frame church building was erected by the congregation near the same spot. But they allowed their imagination to run away with them, and laid their foundation on such an extensive scale, that they were unable to complete the building. Finally they tore it down, and of the material erected a smaller one upon the same site. This building was superseded by a more pretentious one in 1855, and the old church converted into a residence, which is now occupied by Norton T. Longwell. The first Pastor of this congregation was Rev. Mr. Jenks, who had charge of a church in Kingston Township at the same time."