I found the following info on births of Nortons in Arles/Killaban. No John, but he could have been the first child. Early records were more scarce.

Mike Norton & Mary Price had four child baptized there. They were Pat (Oct 1832), Catherine (May 20, 1838), Ell? (1841), James (Mar 4, 1844). No marriage record of Mike & Mary. With Ell? (probably Ellen) birth they indicated they lived in Farnans. Farnans is on N78 just north of the now closed "The Rushes Inn". You can see the location at:

http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Farnans,+Laois&hl=en&sl...

William Norton & Ellen Farrell had one child baptized there. Pete (Sept 16, 1832). No townland was noted.