7N Farms: four generations of Nortons riding through Boone County history

When you have a family history like the Nortons’ that stretches back almost 150 years, it helps to have your own personal historian. Fortunately for the Nortons of 7N Farms, Boone County’s 2021 Century Farm honoree, that is exactly what they have. Dennis Norton’s brother James has made it his life’s passion to make sure the names and years are documented, and their family’s precious history kept alive.

“This designation is something I have always wanted to do to honor my family,” James began. “Dennis is my brother and the main man who runs the farm with his wife Judy and son Will. I have a farm right by it but I don’t have any of the original land that is being recognized by the Century Farm program. This story is very important to me, even though I may not be the main character in it.”

The name of Nortons’ Farm, 7N Farms, was chosen because several generations of Nortons are, and have been, involved in farming and developing this bottom-land farm. It was originally homesteaded by James Young in 1877, and his son Wiley sold this land to brothers, W. Denver and D. Woody Norton in 1921 for $27 per acre. “Denver and D. Woody were single and in their early twenties at that time,” James said. “In a few years, it was clear they needed more land to earn a living and they wanted to move on. Consequently, they sold this property to their younger brother, Clyde, in 1938.”

Denver bought a place on Bear Creek in north Boone County near Lowry where he raised two sons and ran beef cattle until Bull Shoals Lake took it over. Woody moved to Oklahoma where he purchased a place on the Canadian River near Stigler. He raised cattle there the rest of his days.

Clyde, as stated above, acquired the Century land in 1938. “He was living on and working his parent’s place that joined this new purchase on the east, which was also on Crooked Creek,” James said. “He married Geraldine Whitsett, a neighbor, in the 1940s. They raised five children and worked this land until Clyde passed away in 1964.”

Clyde started farming while in high school, assuming the responsibilities of an adult. “He was an industrious, hardworking man continually adding to his land with the vision of enough property to raise and support his family,” James noted. “There were tough years including depression, drought and low cattle prices. It required all the family working together and taught many life lessons to their children, which has served them well.”

Throughout his days, Clyde was always looking for an opportunity to expand his operation.

“He produced hay and forage crops, a variety of livestock, including beef and dairy cattle, horses, mules, hogs and some sheep,” James noted. “He was an outstanding horseman and worked at breeding and breaking horses and mules to work in the fields and log woods. He also traded horses and mules and was an excellent judge of what they were capable of doing, their soundness, age and, therefore, their value.”

Clyde operated a sawmill when not working in crops. “For much of his life, he cut timber, producing hardwood lumber and railroad cross ties,” James said. “In addition to the sawmill, he ran a Grade A dairy until his death in 1964, leaving this farm to his wife, Geraldine. Their son, Dennis, immediately took over this working farm and in 1992 Geraldine deeded it to Dennis and his brother, Doug.”

Dennis and his wife, Judy, are living

and raising livestock on the original property today and have added to their holdings over the years. Their son, Will, along with his wife, Rachel, and children, Whitley and Kal, are a big part of the daily operation.

“Will bought the land that his grandfather, Clyde, started out on,” James said. “And that land was originally owned by Will’s great grandparents. All of the Nortons have continued the tradition of raising livestock and adding acreage. Four generations living on, working, caring for and adding to this original acreage. These multiple generations have many common values including loving and caring for family, being good neighbors, practicing honesty, love of the land, working the soil, developing the pastures, managing the timber, all while treating others fairly.”

But the number one common thread through the four generations of Nortons has been their love of horses. “I’d say this has to be the one trait which really stands out,” James said. “They all love riding horses for pleasure and for work when they are checking in on the cattle. This love for horses is shared with these four generations and prior generations. The result of this has been that the Norton family has become well-known in the region for their riding skills and ability to raise, train and care for horses.”

James not only serves as family historian but he is also quite knowledgeable about the history of Boone County. “There is a little country church we go to that goes way back,” he said. “It’s called The Church at Silver Valley. They have the only Revolutionary War veteran in Boone County buried in the church cemetery. It has been standing since the earliest days of settlements here in Arkansas.”

Apparently, this soldier traveled west after his service under George Washington. He settled in Boone County where he lived out his days. “Every few years the Sons and the Daughters of the American Revolution (SAR and DAR) hold a little ceremony to honor him,” James said. “And the Norton family still attends the church services on Sunday. And keeping with our love of horses, Dennis and his family actually ride the three miles to the church on their horses. Even in the winter. That’s how much they love to ride!”

One of the most impressive aspects of the current owners of 7N Farms is that Dennis and Judy have, for the most part, been able to live solely off the farm. “They sustain themselves financially without the need of outside jobs,” James noted. “At times, things were a little tight and they took on work away from the farm, but currently they are making it work with the farm alone. That is pretty impressive in this day and age.”

When asked what words of wisdom James might have to offer young folks thinking about going into farming, he has some candid advice to share. “That’s a hard one for me,” he said. “I’d say don’t do it unless you really have a passion for it. If it’s in your heart and soul to be a farmer, start out where you can and go slowly to put it together. It’s really not unlike other professions, if it’s inside you and you gotta do it, just do it. We had the advantage of already having some land but land is so expensive these days. There are a lot of agricultural jobs but the actual farming is another thing.”

That said, James is quick to add that he wouldn’t have it any other way. “This family is thankful to live on this little piece of heaven on earth located on the banks of Crooked Creek which includes the Dennison Ridge, an old-time landmark east of Harrison,” he said. “We know God has richly blessed us and we give Him the glory.”