Matilda Frances (Wicks) Norton (1849-1939)

WICKS, NORTON, BISSEL, DUNHAM, EARLE, JACQUES, FARNWORTH, EDENS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/1/2022 at 11:18:16

From Nevada Evening Journal March 24, 1939 (page 6)

Funeral Service Held at Zearing for Mrs. I. C. Norton

Zearing, Ia., Mar. 24--Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock for Mrs. I. B. Norton, pioneer Zearing woman at the Evangelical church in Zearing. Rev. R. E. Kerney conducting the service. Music was rendered by a mixed quartette, they being Jerry Hankin, Mrs. H. G. Martin, G. B. Womeldorff and G. F. McBride, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Lyle Bailey. The flowers were in charge of Mrs. Guy Clatterbuck and Mr. Ivan Baker. The pall bearers were F. E. Smith, Russell Deal, Ray Lightfoot, Elmo Johnson, Wm. Kneil, and W. H. Brown. Burial was in the Zearing cemetery by the side of her husband.

Relatives from a distance attending the service were Mrs. O. T. Farnsworth of Salt Lake City, Utah and Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Jacques of Marshalltown.

Matilda Frances Wicks, oldest of a family of nine children, daughter of E. J. and Mary Wicks, was born in Meriden County, Ill., Feb. 1, 1849, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Walter Bissel, March 18, 1939, at the age of 90 years, 1 month and 17 days.

She was married on Oct. 25, 1867, to Isaac B. Norton, and together they came to Iowa in 1875, locating on a farm just west of Zearing. In 1887 they moved into Zearing. Mr. Norton died in December, 1919. After 52 years of wedded life, their grandson Elvin Jacques was raised in their home, being with them until he was nine years of age. Zearing, however has continued to be Mrs. Norton's home, except for brief times which she has spent with her sister Dora in California.

Two children were born into the Norton home: Delbert Edgar, who died at the age of 14, and a daughter Leyrl, now Mrs. Walter Bissel.

Mrs. Norton is survived by two sisters and three brothers, all over 70 years of age. They are Mrs. Minnie Dunham, Gridley, Calif., Mrs. Morilla Earle, Gridley Calif., Elonzo J. Wicks, Gridley, Calif., E. C. Wicks, Mendota, Ill., and E. N. Wicks, Decatur, Ind.

She is also survived by her daughter, Leyrl, seven grand-children and six great grandchildren. The grandchildren are Elvin Jacques, Marshalltown, Mrs. Edith Farnsworth, Salt Lake City, Utah, Wilmer H. Edens, Leslie Edens, Lloyd Edens, Estel V. Edens and LaVel L. H. Edens, all of Zearing. The great grandchildren are Robert Farnsworth, Carrol Farnsworth, Dona Jacques, Delores Jacques, Eugene Jacques and Minetta Jacques.

Mrs. Norton was a pioneer, not only in point of years but also in service. She worked hard for her family and the community. She was among the first members of the Zearing Rebekah lodge. She was active in the early work of the Evangelical church, when Sunday School was held in the Wickham school house north of Zearing. She united with the church and was a faithful and appreciated member until her death.