Myron Norton

Myron Norton (1822–1886), was an American attorney, and an officer in the 1st Regiment of New York Volunteers, fighting in the Mexican–American War, and remained in California afterward to become active in both San Francisco and Los Angeles legal circles and politics. He drafted California's first state constitution.

Early life

Norton was born in Bennington, Vermont, on September 23, 1822, and studied at Harvard University. He was a lieutenant.

In 1850–51, the settlers were fearful of an Agua Caliente Indian "insurrection" under Chief Antonio Garra, so "Regulars and volunteers were accordingly mustered to guard against this danger." The Los Angeles volunteers were commanded by General Joshua Bean, with Norton as colonel and chief of staff. In a letter written to Governor John McDougall, Bean commended Norton for his bravery.

Later, Norton was second in command of the first legal militia organization in the state, the First California Guard,

In their requisition for arms[,] the company requested that seventy-five rifles and accouterments be sent to them immediately, as there were very few arms in the Los Angeles area except what was held by bands of organized villains of the worst type. The members preferred rifles[,] as part of the time they would be engaged in cavalry routine, especially when dealing with gangs of robbers or raiding bands of Indians.

Legal and political

In 1849, Norton was in San Francisco, where he was the county's first justice of the peace and then police magistrate. He also had a law office in the Laffan Building.

Death

He died on April 16, 1886, and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, California.