Nortonville, an incorporated town in Jefferson county, is located on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. in Norton township, 16 miles north of Oskaloosa, the county seat. All lines of business are represented, including 2 banks and a weekly newspaper (the News). There are express and telegraph offices and a money order postoffice with three rural routes. Nortonville was platted in 1873 by the Arkansas Valley town company. The first settler was John Taggert, who opened a store in that year, was appointed postmaster, and also ticket agent for the railroad company. A $1,500 school house was built and Miss Lucy Gale was the first teacher. The first birth was that of Clarence Cummings, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Cummings, born on Oct. 8, 1873. The first death was the wife of Dr. R. D. Webb. The first marriage took place in the fall of 1875 between John W. Davis and Miss Rebecca Taylor.