CHARLES WESLEY NORMAN

NORMAN, SLAUGHTER, UPDYKE

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 4/27/2002 at 16:52:22

Decatur County Journal
Thursday, January 8, l920

On Sunday, January 4, occurred the funeral of one of Iowa's early settlers, CHARLES WESLEY NORMAN, from the home of his son, I.C. NORMAN, southwest of Decatur City. MR. NORMAN was born in Cochocton Co., Ohio, November 29, l83l, and was one of eight children born to MR. and MRS. BENJAMIN NORMAN.

The BENJAMIN NORMAN family migrated to Iowa in the early fifties and settled in Decatur County, about three miles west of Davis City. It was on the migratory trip that he first met the bride of his youth, the NORMAN and W.W. SLAUGHTER families having encountered each other a couple of times on the road. It was discovered later that the two families were settling within a couple of miles of each other and in May, l855, C.W. NORMAN was united in marriage to MISS MARTHA M. SLAUGHTER. They began their pioneer life together in a log dwelling near the paternal homes, later purchasing the farm where ISAAC NORMAN now lives, and there they toiled together and reared their family. Nine children were born to them, three of whom have already passed away. He was among the most successful farmers in Iowa. With axe and grub hoe he prepared for the plow many acres of the most productive soil. While clearing the land he cut lumber from the native timber and was among the first to build a massive stock barn and an up-to-date residence. He was a judge of good soil and has owned a number of the best farms in southern Iowa.

In May, l894, MR. NORMAN and family were called upon to mourn the loss of a dutiful wife and mother. On Christmas day, twenty-five years ago, he was married to MRS. ELIZABETH UPDYKE, and to this union were born two children. Later they moved to Trenton, Mo., where he built a magnificent farm home. Here they remained until he was called to his reward on January l, l920, a complication of old age, paralysis and pneumonia causing his death. He leaves to mourn, a wife, eight children, thirty-one grandchildren, forty great grandchildren, one brother and one sister.

Though he never lost sight of the responsibilities of home, he was fond of travel and crossed the plains twice during his youthful days, visiting California during the gold craze of '49. To an extent he explored Central and South America and many islands of the sea, and visited practically all points of interest in the United States. The stories of his travels and experiences have been most interesting to his grandchildren. Many were his encounters with the Indians, but always in a peaceful manner and for years the Indians made sugar on his place from the maple trees that are now being cleared away.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Johnson of Indianola, and the remains were laid to rest beside the wife of his youth in the Riverside Cemetery.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
April 26, 2002