Catharine Hutson Norton (1850-1898)

NORTON, HUTSON, MARTIN, KOPF

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 6/14/2005 at 22:00:12

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, July 7, 1898, page 5, column 4. “OBITUARY – Catharine Hutson-Norton was born in Henry county, Indiana, February 2, 1850, and died at her home near Oldfield, Ia., June 14, 1898; aged 48 years, 4 months and 12 days. The deceased immigrated to Iowa in 1855; was converted and joined the Methodist Protestant church in her girlhood, and lived a faithful consistent chrisitian life until she was summoned to come up higher. She was married to Bela A. Norton, May 1, 1869, and was the mother of seven children, three of which preceded her to the glory land; the other four are Mrs. H. W. Martin, of Hanlin county; Mrs. A. M. Kopf, and Cash and Harley Norton, of this place, who remain with the husband, sisters and brothers to mourn her loss. Oh, a mother’s grave! Earth has some sacred spots where we feel like loosing our shoes from our feet and treading with reverence; where common words of social converse seems rude and friendship’s hands have lingered in earth. But of all spots on this green earth there is none so sacred as that where rests, waiting the resurrection, those we have once loved and cherished. But none so loved as a mother’s grave. There she sleeps and we love the very earth for her sake. Also how little we appreciate a mother’s tenderness while living. But death is but life to a true believer, it is not his last day, but in the highest sense his best day and the beginning of a happy life. A Christian’s dying day will be his enlarging day when he shall be freed from the prison in which he has been detained, and be brought home to the Father’s house. A Christian’s dying day will be his resting day when he shall rest from all labor, care and trouble. Oh, Thou cold hand of death! Unlock for me the portals of everlasting life that while my body rests in the bed of earth, my soul may recline in the bosom of good life. Say not good-night but in some brighter clime bid me good morning. “My mother sleeps under the ground; She’s slumbering peacefully there. She waits for the trumpet to sound; She’s resting from trial and care. Mother sleeps on, sweetly sleeps; Sleeps peacefully under the ground. Kind watch may the angels keep, Until the last trumpet shall sound.”” “A CARD OF THANKS. – We desire to thank the brothers and sisters and friends who so kindly assisted us during the hours of trial. B. A. Norton and family.”

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, July 7, 1898, page 1, column 4. “The Methodist Recorder, published at Pittsburg,** Pa., contained the following obituary of Mrs. B. A. Norton, in the issue of July 2d: “Catharine Hutson was born in Henry county, Ind., Feb., 2, 1850, and died at her home near Oldfield, Iowa, June 14, 1898, age 48 years, 4 months and 12 days. Deceased immigrated to Iowa with her parents, Rev. James and Polly Hutson, in 1855. She joined the Methodist Protestant church in her girlhood, and has been a faithful christian ever since. She was united in marriage to Bela Norton, May 1, 1869, and was the mother of seven children, three of who preceded her to the better world. She leaves a husband, four children, two brothers and five sisters, with a host of friends to mourn their loss. The deceased was about her work when the messenger, death, came for her. Her husband and brother-in-law had just gone to Maxwell, some five miles, and before they reached town they were overtaken and told the sad news. Sister Kate Norton was a true christian lady, a loving wife and mother, a good neighbor, and a loyal Methodist Protestant, and a worker for the cause of Christ and the church, and in her death the church at Beuna** Vista has sustained a great loss; but their loss is her gain. Her funeral sermon was preached by the writer, a former pastor, at Peoria City, June 16, assisted by her pastor, Rev. J. H. Walley, and Rev. Ferguson, of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and Rev. Lint, of the Evangelical church. All spoke in the highest praise of her Christian character and hospitality in her home. All had been helped by knowing her. The large congregation seemed stricken with grief. After the last sad rites at the church, we laid her away in the Peoria cemetery to await the second coming of Christ. May God’s grace be sufficient for the husband and children, brothers and sisters, and all who mourn, is my prayer. – W. A. McCorkle.” **Editorial note – spelling, punctuation and grammar used are from the original newspaper article.