• Ivers J. Norton

    During the 1970s, the former Public School #10 located on West Henley Street in Olean, NY was renamed Ivers J. Norton Elementary School after a long time principal and mayor of the city of Olean.

    Ivers “Ike” John Norton was born in Olean February 22, 1897, the son of John R. and Elizabeth Norton. Shortly after his birth the family moved to 807 West Henley Street where he resided for the rest of his life.

    Mr. Norton attended Olean schools and graduated from the Silver Lake Military and Naval School. In 1919 he graduated from Geneseo State Teachers College and did further studies at St. Bonaventure and Oswego State Teachers College.

    He began his teaching career in Olean in 1918 as an industrial arts teacher. He served in schools 2 (Washington West), 4 (East View), 7 (former North Hill) and 10. In 1928 he became principal of school 10 and served in that post until his retirement from the Olean City School District in 1954.

    In 1955 he was elected Mayor of the city of Olean and served in that post for 6 years His major accomplishments during these years included the construction of both the Municipal building at the corners of State and Union Street and Olean Municipal Airport which was served by the commercial airline Mohawk Airlnes.

    Mr. Norton also served as a radio announcer at WHDL for 13 years hosting the “Children's Hours” as well as reporting the news. In addition he presided as the master of ceremonies for 42 consecutive years at Olean's Memorial Day service at Mount View Cemetery.

    Mr. Norton was married to the former Aileen Eaton. They had seven children, Diana, Gloria, John, Paul, Donald, Thomas and Ivers. He died Wednesday October 20, 1965 at Buffalo General Hospital.