George A. Norelius
Among the native sons of Iowa who have assisted very materially in the advancement of the locality in which their lot has been cast is George A. Norelius, a prominent citizen of Kiron.
He was born in Hamilton county, Iowa, December 5, 1868, son of A. and Christina Norelius, who are now living in Crawford county.
Mr. Norelius of this review received his early education in the district schools and later entered the Western Normal College of Shenandoah, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1888. He began his business career as a teacher and continued for five terms, but being attracted to commercial life he entered gene-ral mercantile business at old Kiron on March 1, 1892, and continued at that place for seven years, when he moved his store building to new Kiron and resumed the same line of business. He served for four years as postmaster, discharging his duties with the same fidelity that he evinces in his own affairs and meeting with the hearty approval of the people. He is prominently identified with various enterprises, being director of the Kiron State Bank and also of the Farmers & Merchants Bank at Sheyenne, North Dakota.
As a farmer he has been very successful and owns one. hundred and ten acres of land on section 19, Stockholm township, and three hundred and twenty acres in Dickey county, North Dakota, also one hundred and twenty acres in Perkins county, South Dakota, and has a one-half interest in the opera house at Kiron. He and his family occupy a fine residence in Kiron, which is provided with all modem conveniences.
On the 21st of December, 1890, Mr. Norelius was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hanson, a native of Sweden and daughter of N. A. and Christina Hanon, both of whom were born in Sweden. They came to America about 1870, and the mother died in this country in 1888. The father is still living and resides at Kiron. There were ten children in their family.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Norelius, namely: Neva C., who is now a student in college at Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Elsie R. and Jessie P., also students at college; Irma E.; and Everett A.
Politically Mr. Norelius gives his support to the democratic party, of which he is a stanch adherent. He has served as justice of the peace and president of the school board and is now mayor of the village of Kiron, which office he has filled with marked ability for several terms. Fraternally, he holds membership in Wheeler Lodge, No. 398, A. F. & A. M., and he is an earnest believer in the beneficent principles of this order. He is a representative business man and by his acknowledged ability and high character has attracted many friends and is justly held in high regard by all who claim the honor of his acquaintance.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.