Hal Earl Norton

Background

Norton, Hal Earl was born on May 19, 1886 in Kinross, Iowa, United States. Son of Wallace Cassius and Isabell Justina (Ferderlin) Norton.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Central College, Pella, Iowa, 1914, Doctor of Divinity, 1929. Studied University of Chicago and Drake University, Marquette University, Milwaukee.

Career

Ordained ministry Baptist Church, 1914. Pastor Sandwich, Illinois, 1915-1921. Director religious education and executive secretary Des Moines (Iowa) Baptist City Union, 1921-1923.

Pastor Winfield, Kansas, 1923-1928. Vice president Ottawa U., 1928-1929. Pastor First Baptist Church, Janesville, Wisconsin, 1929-1939, Roundy Memorial Baptist Church, Milwaukee, May 1939-December 1945, First Baptist Church, Grinnell, Iowa, 1945-1950.

Transferred to Congregational Christian denomination, September 28, 1950. Pastor Federated Church since 1950. Lecturer at theological seminars and colls.

Alderman, Sandwich, 1919-1921. President Wisconsin Baptist State Convention, 1935, chairman of the executive committee, 1935, 36, 37. Chairman of the Board mgrs., 1935-1936.

Member Executive Committee Wisconsin Council of Churches, president 1937, chairman Convocation Committee, 1936, 37, 38, secretary Church Life Division of same, 1936. Member board of managers American Baptist History Society. Member board of managers Vice-President Francis Wayland Foundation.

President Janesville Community Union, 1937-1939, also general chairman 1937 campaign. Director Bower City Credit Union, 1938-1939. Secretary-treasurer Janesville Rotamer Camp Association, 1938-1939.

Teacher Presbyterian Summer Assembly, 1940. Business manager and registrar Green Lake Summer Assembly, 1941. Honorary member Boys Town, Nebraska.

Politics

God, in His permissive will, may allow political leaders, both in biblical times and the present day, to enact policies that are opposed to His revealed will.

Views

As human beings people find themselves as part of an unjust, sinful and violent world, which we may feel individually helpless to change. If we accept forgiveness, God can enable us to resist evil and to live life to the full.

Membership

Fellow American Baptist Historical Society. Member American Interprofessional Institute, Pi Kappa Delta (highest honors), Pi Gamma Mu. Mason, Odd; Clubs: Janesville Rotary (director 1937-1938, secretary-treasurer, 1938, 39.

Connections

Married Stella Grau, September 10, 1912. Children: Elizabeth Elaine (Mistress John N. Cooper), Ruth Isabell (Mistress Donald M. Erikson).

Father:

Wallace Cassius Norton

Mother:

Isabell Justina (Ferderlin) Norton

Spouse:

Stella Grau

child:

Elizabeth Elaine Norton (Mistress John N. Cooper)

child:

Ruth Isabell Norton (Mistress Donald M. Erikson)