NORVELL, Edmund R. - 1890 Bio (1835-1914)

NORVELL, WINN, COX, SHEARER, VAN NOSTRAND

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/20/2007 at 19:42:56

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 500-501

Edmund R. NORVELL, one of the early settlers of Jefferson County, engaged in farming on section 32, Buchanan Township, is a native of Kentucky. He was born on the 6th of September, 1835, in Barren County, and is a son of Edmund and Anna K. (WINN) NORVELL. His father, whose birth occurred near Lynchburg, Va., emigrated during his boyhood to Barren County, Ky., where he became acquainted with and wedded Miss WINN, who was born in that county on the 15th of August, 1812. He died when about twenty-five years of age from hemorrhage of the lungs caused by lifting at a log rolling. About 1838, the mother with our subject, her only child, accompanied her brother to Carthage, Ill., and in 1840, she came to Van Buren County, where she afterward married Charles L. COX, who had located in Van Buren County, in 1838. Three years later they came to Jefferson County, settling in Cedar Township. Mrs. COX, who was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, died on the 1st of September, 1887. Mr. COX, who was born in Adair County, Ky., November 16, 1817, and is a member of the Christian Church, is still living.

Edmund R. NORVELL, of whom we write, spent his early life in the usual manner of farmer lads, receiving such educational advantages as were afforded in the old log school house, walking a distance of two and a half miles to the same. He remained at home aiding in the labors of the farm until he had attained his majority when he started out in life for himself. It was his intention to follow some other pursuit than that to which he had been reared and for some eighteen months he read law in the office of Judge Charles Negus, but health failed him and he was forced to abandon his cherished plan. In the summer of 1859, in company with David Thompson and Ellis Woods he made a journey to Colorado, locating near Central City, where he engaged in mining for about two years. He spent a part of the summer of 1860 in prospecting in Southern Colorado and New Mexico, but since his return to Jefferson County in the spring of 1861, he has devoted his time and attention to farming, meeting with excellent success. His farm comprises two hundred and sxity acres, all but twenty of which are arable and it is furnished with all the necessary buildings and stocked with a high grade of horses and cattle, including a herd of eight thorough-bred Short-horns.

A marriage ceremony performed near Pittsburg, Pa., on the 8th of February, 1864, united the destinies of Mr. NORVELL and Miss Leonora SHEARER, who was born in Pennsylvania, February 2, 1840. She accompanied her parents to Jefferson County in 1858, and was visiting in her native State at the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. NORVELL began their domestic life upon the farm which is still their home and their union has been blessed with four children -- Anna, who is now the wife of Jesse VAN NOSTRAND, a resident of Thomas County, Kan.; Charles S. and Amanda C., who are still with their parents; and Mary, the youngest, who died at the age of four years.

Mr. NORVELL is accounted one of the leading and representative citizens of the community in which he makes his home and well deserves representation among the prominent men of his adopted county. In his political affiliations in early life he was a Whig, but on the dissolution of that party joined the ranks of the Democracy. He served acceptably for seven years as Township Clerk. Mr. NORVELL may rightly be termed a self-made man, as his possessions which place him in comfortable circumstances have been acquired through his own efforts. For half a century he has been a resident of Iowa, and forty-seven years he has spent in Jefferson County. He is one of the original members of the Old Settlers Society and is both widely and favorably known.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.