Biography of  David Z. Norton 

biographical sketch courtesy of the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

 David Z. Norton  (1 June 1851-6 Jan. 1928), was a banker, partner in the Oglebay Norton Company, and philanthropist. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Washington Adams and Caroline Harper Norton. He began in banking as a messenger for Commercial National Bank in 1868, becoming cashier at 21. In 1890, at the urging of his friend John D. Rockefeller, Sr., Norton resigned from the bank to join Earl W. Oglebay in organizing Oglebay, Norton & Company, from which he retired in 1924, although remaining a director until his death.

Norton supported the Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Museum of Art. He was a trustee of the Cleveland School of Art, Western Reserve University, Adelbert College, Kenyon College, University School, Western Reserve Historical Society, Huron Road Hospital, Lake View Cemetery, and Society for Savings. He was a director of National Commercial Bank, Bank of Commerce, Woodland Avenue Savings & Trust Company, Bankers Surety Company, and American Ship Building Company. He was involved with Commonwealth Iron Company, Montreal Mining Company, Castile Mining Company, and several lake-shipping companies. In 1910, Norton became president of Citizens Savings & Trust Company, becoming a director upon its merger into Union Trust Company.

Norton collected Napoleana, left to the Western Reserve Historical Society; and Japanese art, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art. His historic family homestead in Unionville, Ohio, Shandy Hall, is a property of the Western Reserve Historical Society. Norton married Mary Castle, daughter of William B. Castle, in 1876 and had 3 children, Miriam (Mrs. Frederick R. White), Robert Castle, and Laurence Harper. Norton and his wife are buried in Lake View Cemetery.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for David Z. Norton