Alexander McQueen Norris (1827-1904)

NORRIS, OSTRANDER, DAWSON, MILLER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/28/2015 at 18:48:47

From Nevada Representative June 1, 1904

DEATH OF A. M. NORRIS

Mr. A. M. Norris, for many years one of the best known citizens of Nevada an Story county, died as his home in this city about three o'clock on Sunday morning. The end came peacefully and was the culmination of a protracted illness with Bright's disease and paralysis. He had been in failing health for two or three years, and for several months had been unable to attend to his affairs. For five weeks he had been confined to his bed, and for the last few days he was but dimly conscious. His family and friends had full warning of his dissolution, and in his last hours his wife and ll his surviving children were about him.

Alexander M. Norris was born at Broad Albin, Fulton county, New York, on October 30, 1827, and was at the time of his death aged 76 years, 6 months and 29 days. He went in the spring of 1850 to the village of North East in Pennsylvania and there was married on May 20, 181, to Mary Ostrander, who survives him. He removed with his young family in 1854 to Light House Point, Illinois, and there in 1859 became a member of the Methodist church, to which religious organization he was ever thereafter devoted. He enlisted in August, 1862, in the 92d Illinois Infantry, and after six months of service he was invalided and honorably discharged in February, 1863. He removed in 1864 to Franklin Grove, Illinois, where he became interested with Lahman Bros. in the stock and real estate business. Gradually this business drew him into Iowa, and in the latter '70's he became domiciled on his farm south of Colo. From there he moved to State Center for a short time, and thence he came in 1886 to Nevada, where he spent the remainder of his days, continuing here in the real estate business until his failing health shut him out of all business.

Mr. Norris was the father of six children, Rose Dawson, Fred A. (now deceased), Clarence V., Belle (wife of Daniel Miller of Chicago), Edward W. of Eagle Grove, and William T. These excepting Fred, but with the latter's widow and in all thirteen grandchildren as well as his own companion for more than fifty years survive and mourn and honor him. Mr. Norris was representative and enterprising citizen, and he was associated with many matters of interest to the community where he lived. We do not know all the public offices he held, but he was in his early years in the county a member of the board of supervisors, and for quite a number of years he was a member of the Nevada school board and as such earnestly concerned in the welfare of the schools. His ancestry was of the sturdy Scotch-Irish stock, and his character and life partook of his blood and bringing up. He was a man of strength and of worth, and his life was long, useful and honorable. His death is sincerely and widely mourned.

The funeral was conducted from the late residence of Mr. Norris at two o'clock Tuesday by Rev. C. L. Nye, pastor of the Methodist church assisted by Revs. Fegtly and Bunce. The attendance was large and the sentiments suitable to the occasion of the death of a citizen so well known and so respected. The interment was in the Nevada cemetery.