For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 502
W. A. NORRIS....W. A. Norris, for seven years past a resident of Nichols, Iowa, having retired after many years of active and useful labor, was born in Ohio, November 1, 1841, a son of John W. and Mary ( Adams ) Norris, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. They removed with their respective parents to Ohio early in life and were married in the Buckeye state, continuing there until 1852, when they took up their residence in Indiana, living there for two years. In 1854, not being satisfied with their new home, they returned to Ohio and in 1864 came to Iowa, settling on a farm of two hundred acres near Conesville, Muscatine county. Here the father lived for twenty-eighty years, departing this life in 1892. The mother then made her home with a son at Conesville until her death. Their remains lay side by side in Conesville cemetery. They were both consistent members of the Christian church and by their lives set an example worthy of imitation by their children and all who would be useful and honored members of society. Their family included the following children : Sarah, the widow of Alexander McCurdy, of Conesville ; W. A., our subject ; R. M., of Nichols ; Rachel, the wife of Dallas Womsley, of South Dakota ; A. J., of Utah, the widow of J. C. Summer ; Clara A., the wife of Cass Wright, of the state of Washington ; Mary E., the wife of William Young, of Portland, Oregon ; Thomas E., of Nichols ; Pauline M., the widow of Thomas McCoy, now residing in Louisa county, Iowa ; Millie, the wife of James Magruder, of Johnson county, Iowa ; and A. J., who died in Indiana at the age of sixteen years.W. A. Norris was educated in the public schools and remained at home assisting in the support of the family until he reached the age of twenty-three years, when he began farming upon his own account. To that occupation he devoted forty years of earnest effort, availing himself of modern methods and the latest improved machinery and thus conducting his business to the best advantage. He became highly successful in his calling and by a manly and straightforward course at all times made a host of friends in Muscatine and adjoining counties. In 1903 he retired to the handsome and commodious home which he owns in Nichols.
On February 26, 1864, Mr. Norris was united in marriage in Ohio to Miss Rebecca Jane Booth, who was also born there, a daughter of Robert and Mercy ( Westlake ) Booth, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. Mr. and Mrs. Booth came west in 1864 and continued for the remainder of their lives in Muscatine county, There were six chldren in their family : Sarah A., Mercy, Ella and Rebecca Jane, being deceased ; Lydia ; and Mary, who lives in Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Norris four children were born : L. W., born September 16, 1864, now a railroad blacksmith living in Colorado ; J. M., born December 20, 1865, who is a farmer of Columbus Junction, Iowa ; Annie, born October 8, 1867, the wife of Henry Masonholder, of Letts, Louisa county, Iowa ; and Charley, who was born December 20, 1868, and died at the age of four years. The mother of these children having been called away October 26, 1905, Mr. Norris was united in marriage May 1, 1907, to Mrs. Hattie E. Abbott, widow of B. F. Abbott, who was a charter member of the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at Nichols and the father of one child, B. F., born December 13, 1883, who is a graduate of a business college and is now living in Muscatine. Mrs. Norris is a daughter of Ferdinand and Lavina ( Lofton ) Victor, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Indiana. They were married in Illnois and came to Iowa, making their home for some time in Louisa county. In 1892 they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and there the father died May 10, 1898. The mother is still living in Kansas City and has arrived at the age of sixty-eight years. There were the following children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Victor : Jefferson, a contractor of Kansas City ; Ferdie, now identified with a rice plantation in Texas ; Nelson, living with his mother ; John, who died at the age of five years and is buried in Illinois ; William, who died at two years of age and is buried in Pilot Junction ; Ervie, who died at the age of three years and is also buried at pilot Junction ; and Nettie, who died at the age of seven years and is buried in Kansas City.
Politically Mr. Norris is a stanch supporter of the democratic party, but his wife is equally earnest in her advocacy of the principles of the republican party. He served as township clerk for six years and also as assessor of his township for three terms, performing his duties in such a way as to meet the approval of all, irrespective of party. Fraternally he has been identified with Lodge No. 140, M. B. A., of Conesville, and of Lodge No. 352, M. B. A., of Adams. He is a member of the German Reformed church and Mrs. Norris holds membership in the Methodist Protestant church. She is also a member of Lodge No. 1271, Royal Neighbors, of Nichols. Mr. Norris is of a genial and friendly disposition and has done much in lifting the burdens of those with whom he has been associated, thus gaining recognition as a progressive and useful member of society.
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