BENJAMIN A. NORMAN

Benjamin A. Norman, a retired farmer and veteran of the Civil war, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, September 25, 1844, of the marriage of Benjamin and Nancy (Tipton) Norman. The father, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania, June 26, 1805, came of Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry. He was a farmer by occupation and removed west with his family in 1848, locating in Lee county, Iowa, where he resided for four years. He then went to Wapello county, where he farmed until 1856, when he came to Decatur county and took up his residence in Burrell township on land which he purchased. He passed away June 24, 1867. The mother of our subject was born in Ohio, May 17, 1806, and was married in her native state. She died December 22, 1852, when our subject was but eight years of age and the father subsequently married Mary Ann Weaver, a native of Manchester, England, who died April 4, 1865. To Benjamin and Nancy Norman were born eleven children, namely: John, whose birth occurred July 10, 1824, and who is deceased; Jessie, who was born June 18, 1826, and who is also deceased; Delilah, deceased, who was born December 3, 1828; George Elliott, who was born December 19, 1830, and who died while serving in the Union army in the Civil war; Charles Wesley, who was born November 29, 1832, and who is now living at Trenton, Missouri; Francis, deceased, who was born March 17, 1834; James and Samuel, twins, born September 8, 1838, the former of whom is now living at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the latter in St. Joseph, Missouri; Mary Mulvina, who was born February 15, 1840, and who is now residing in Agency, Iowa; Clemens, deceased, whose birth occurred on the 25^th of July, 1842; and Benjamin A.

The last named attended school in Lee county, Iowa, and as a boy and youth assisted his father with the work of the farm. In 1862, when about eighteen years of age, he endeavored to join the Union army but was several times rejected on account of his size and age. The first time he enlisted in the Seventeenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and went to Keokuk but was sent home. Almost immediately he tried to enlist in the Eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry but was rejected at Bloomfield which, however, did not lessen his desire to become a soldier. He next enlisted in Company I, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and this time he was accepted and mustered into the Federal army. After serving nine months he was discharged on account of illness. He participated in the first siege of Vicksburg under General Sherman and was at the battle of Arkansas Post, where seven thousand rebel prisoners were taken. His regiment was sent to Chicago with the prisoners and then returned to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, where Mr. Norman was taken sick and honorably discharged from the service. He returned home and as soon as his health had sufficiently recovered he endeavored to reenlist in both the Eight Iowa and Ninth Iowa Cavalry but both regiments were filled. Eventually he was sent to the Fourth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry at Vicksburg and served in Company G of that regiment until the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Atlanta, Georgia, and discharged at Davenport, Iowa.

Mr. Norman returned home and located upon a farm in Burrell township, this county, but subsequently sold that property and removed to Council Bluffs where he lived for eight years, after which he returned to Burrell township, where he farmed successfully until 1890. In that year he sold out and purchased property in Davis City, where he has since lived. He has one of the nicest homes in Davis City and although he is living partially retired gives considerable time and attention to the growing of small fruit and flowers. For five years he served as janitor of the high school and his work in that position was efficient and satisfactory.

On the 27^th of August, 1863, four days before he went to the front a second time, Mr. Norman was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Sylvester, who was born in Meigs county, Ohio, August 10, 1848. Her father, John Sylvester, was born near Augusta, Maine, May 10, 1810, of Yankee ancestry. In 1850 he drove a wagon train from Meigs county, Ohio, to the gold fields of California and after remaining there for some time returned home by way of Cape Horn. He was a stonemason by trade and in 1855 emigrated westward with his family with Kansas as his destination. However, the border warfare which was then being waged decided him to located in Iowa and he settled in Burrell township, Decatur county. He purchased a farm north of Davis City, where he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. He erected the Covington store building, the first brick building in the city of Decatur and divided his time between following his trade and cultivating his land. He passed away March 5, 1879. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Margaret Grimes was born in Meigs county, Ohio, July 19, 1816, and was married in Rutland county, that state. Her demise occurred January 21, 1882. To them were born the following children: Delila, whose birth occurred on the 23d of August, 1833, and who is now deceased; Arthur, born June 26, 1835, and who has passed away; Jehu, deceased, who was born October 25, 1839; Benton, who was born May 23, 1842, and who is deceased; Emma J., deceased, whose birth occurred May 31, 1843; John S., Jr., who was born June 13, 1845, and who was killed while serving in the Union army in May, 1863; Sarah, who was born March 4, 1847, and is deceased; Julia A., now Mrs. Norman; Monterville, born October 20, 1852 who is engaged in ranching near Columbus, Montana, and who married Adaline Beasley; an infant daughter, who died March 27, 1854; and Cinderella, who was born November 21, 1856. She was a teacher by profession and was killed by lightning June 24, 1879, when coming home from her school, the Stringtown school, west of Davis City, with her niece, Nellie Sylvester, six years of age. They took refuge from the storm in an old cabin but the wind tore off the roof and they were both killed by lightning.

Mr. and Mrs. Norman have four children, as follows: John Sylvester, born September 2, 1866, was for seven years a teacher in the public schools of Doniphan county, Kansas, and was also engaged in the mercantile business for a number of years before becoming connected with banking. He is now part owner of the First national Bank of Troy, Kansas. He married Alberta Clark, of Davis City, and they have two children, Vera Aubrey and Clark W.. Charles V., whose birth occurred January 1, 1870, taught school for nine years and for ten years held the office of county superintendent of schools. He is now a partner of his brother John S. in the ownership of the First National Bank of Troy, Kansas. He first married Miss Sadie Leland, of that city, who passed away a few months after the death of her only child, a son, Cyrus, and for his second wife he chose Mrs. Bernice Keefe, of Davis City. Estelle Gertrude, born November 4, 1872, is a graduate of the Battle Creek (Mich.) Medical College. She is now practicing her profession at Moline, Illinois, and is meeting with gratifying success. Pearl Aubrey, born February 19, 1878, married Grisson Grimes, who is a merchant of Troy, Kansas, while she is a teacher in the public schools of that place.

Mr. Norman gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has taken quite a prominent part in local public affairs. He has served as road master in Burrell township and for ten years was assessor of Davis City, while for four years he was street commissioner of Davis City. He is now a member of the town council. He belonged to the Grand Army post at Davis City for many years and was for a number of years a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Davis City, although he is not now associated with that organization. His wife holds membership in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. On the 27^th of August, 1913, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and all of their children but John were present. A musical and literary program was given and a fine dinner was served to the many friends who were present and who wished Mr. and Mrs. Norman many happy returns of the day. Their lives have been well spent and have been factors for good in the community where they have lived for so long.