JOHN W. NORMAN
As
one of the foremost agriculturists of his section John W.
Norman occupies an enviable position, owning four hundred and
ten acres of valuable land in Otter Creek township, Lucas
county. Moreover,
he has been closely connected with the public life of his
township and the county, having efficiently served in various
positions. He
was born in Noble county, Ohio, on March 15, 1866, coming in
1878 to Benton township, Lucas county, with his parents, who
are Nathan and Sarah (Hickle) Norman and who are residing on
their farm in Otter Creek township. The paternal grandfather of our subject,
William Norman, was born in Virginia and distinguished himself
in the War of 1812, participating in the battle of New
Orleans. He
passed away in Ohio. His
wife was Mary (Kiggins) Norman, also a native of Virginia,
dying in the same state as her husband. Both were early
settlers of the Buckeye state.
The maternal grandparents were Stephen and Mary Ann
(Drake) Hickle, natives of Virginia, who both passed away in
Ohio of which state they also were early settlers. The father, who was
born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on January 26, 1841, carried
out the military traditions of the family by enlisting in the
Union army in the Civil war, doing valiant service until his
honorable discharge. The
mother was also born in Ohio, her birth occurring in Noble
county on February 1, 1836.
She became the mother of three children: Elisha N.,
born August 9, 1864, who resides with his parents; John W., of
this review; and Mary Jane, born in December, 1867, also
making her home with her parents on their farm in Otter Creek
township. The
children were born in Ohio but reared in Lucas county. In 1878 the parents
came to Benton township, this county, and there settled, the
father giving his attention to bringing his farm to a high
state of cultivation. Although
his financial resources were limited, his earnest efforts won
the day and he is now considered one of the substantial men of
his locality.
John
W. Norman removed with his parents in 1878 from Ohio to Benton
township, Lucas county, attending the common schools in Lucas
county, at Bethel, and also receiving instruction in Brush
College. In 1883
the family removed to Jackson township but in 1886 settled in
Otter Creek township, where he has followed farming and
stock-raising since. The
Norman farm of four hundred and ten acres is under high
cultivation and provided with two sets of good improvements. All modern
equipment and machinery, to facilitate farm labor and increase
the productivity of the soil, can be found upon the property
and spacious modernly constructed barns, sheds, outbuildings
and granaries give ample shelter for stock and harvests. Mr. Norman
specializes in black polled Angus cattle and derives a
gratifying addition to his income from this branch of his
business.
On March 30, 1897, John W. Norman was married to Miss Lucy C. Redlingshaffer, who was born in Benton township, Lucas county, May 21, 1874. She received a thorough education and for many years was one of Lucas county’s most successful public-school teachers. Her parents, George W. and Frances C. (Lewis) Redlingshaffer, were among the early pioneers of Benton township. The father was born in Bavaria, Germany, on February 7, 1832, and died in Benton township on September 1, 1905. He came to America in 1849, during the times of the great revolutionary movement in the fatherland, and 1856 marks his arrival in Lucas county. The mother was born in Fulton county, Ohio, September 18, 1840, and died in Benton township, Lucas county, on October 31, 1893, preceding her husband in death by about twelve years. In their family were twelve children: George D., born February 1, 1862, of Des Moines, Iowa; Mrs. Nancy M. Wilson, born March 1, 1863, of Hillsdale, Wyoming; Mrs. Alice M. Pickett, born December 27, 1864, of Chariton, this county; Mrs. Irene L. Whiteside, born March 6, 1866, of Benton township; Charles, born February 9, 1869, who died February 16, 1906; Mrs. Elma F. Myers, born March 8, 1872, residing in White Breast township; Mrs. John W. Norman; Mrs. Mary A. Bruning, born January 20, 1876, of Desmet, Idaho; William L., born December 28, 1878; Delia O., born March 24, 1880, who died January 28, 1894; Mrs. Lily Belle Anderson, born August 21, 1882, of Kalispell, Montana; and Nellie G., born February 3, 1887, also of that city. All these children were born and reared in Lucas county. Mr. and Mrs. Norman are the parents of six children: Twila M., born on March 30, 1898, the first wedding anniversary of her parents; Helen D., born June 4, 1899; Iva M., born February 10, 1901; Hugh R., born August 6, 1902; John E., born April 12, 1904; and Nellie J., born January 9, 1907. All these children were born in Otter Creek township and are attending public school.
John W. Norman is a republican and takes a lively interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community. Being recognized as a man of no mean ability, he has been called to serve in various positions of trust and honor and has done efficient duty as township assessor, trustee and member of the school board, giving in this last connection evidence of his deep concern in the cause of education. From 1907 to 1913 Mr. Norman served as a member of the board of supervisors of Lucas county, filling the office to the entire satisfaction of those whom he represented. The county distinctly profited by his labors and he inaugurated or promoted a number of measures which have proven to be of lasting benefit. Mr. and Mrs. Norman are members of the United Evangelical church of Otter Creek and fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Norwood Lodge, No. 490. Looked at from whatever point of view, his life must be considered a success, for he has not only attained individual prosperity but has become a forceful element in his community, a factor for progress and advancement along material and moral lines. Honored wherever known, he stands high in the estimation of his fellowmen, who respect him not only for the position which he holds in the community but for the qualities of his character that have made possible his success.