BIO: Robert Norris, Jefferson County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Jean Wall Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/pa/jefferson/ http://usgwarchives.net/pa/jefferson/beers/beers-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens. Chicago, Ill.: J. H. Beers, 1898, pages 1096-1098. _____________________________________________________________________ ROBERT NORRIS was born in Allegheny county, Penn., and died February 3, 1897, at the age of sixty-eight years, eight months and one day. His identification with the interests of Jefferson county was long and honorable, and he was esteemed as one whose sterling worth made him a valued factor in the community. Robert Norris, his paternal grandfather, was a wealthy citizen of Ireland, who took great delight in hunting, and spent much time in following the hounds. He was six feet and six inches in height and weighed 250 pounds. The parents of our subject, John and Mary E. (Moore) Norris, were natives of county Derry, Ireland, and in 1824 emigrated to Canada, whence they removed to Allegheny county, Penn., in 1828. Their children: Robert; William and Henry, farmers of Winslow township; Jane, wife of Andrew McCollough, of Birmingham, Penn.; Esther, wife of John A. Crawford, of Allegheny City, Penn.; Nancy, who died at the age of twenty-three; Ruth, who is living with her brother Joseph; Adam M. and Joseph, who reside on the old homestead in Allegheny county; and Sarah E., wife of John Stark also a farmer of Allegheny county. Robert Norris, remained on the homestead in a brick yard for four years during the summer, returning each winter to Allegheny county. He afterward worked in the lumber woods and then began lumbering in Jefferson county, which he followed until his death. He was also the owner of several farms, his second purchase being 175 acres of land, which is now owned by his sons, James C. and John M. He pain for this $6 per acre, and afterward sold twenty acres for $20 per acre. This is one of the most valuable farms of the county, being underlaid with coal. He made many excellent improvements upon the place, which stood as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. During the war, March 15, 1865, he was drafted; but hired John Hoffman to go as a substitute, paying him $1,300., of which amount he had to borrow $300. Mr. Hoffman asked him to keep the money for him until his return form the war, such was his known honesty in all business transactions. In politics he was always a Democrat, and for eleven years he served as school director of Winslow. He was a man six feet, three inches in height, and weighted 205 pounds prior to this last illness. In business and social circles he was highly regarded, and he left to his family an untarnished name. He was married to Jane Mays, who was born in Venango county, August 5, 1827. Her parents were J. C. and Mary M. Mays. Her grandparents were George W. and Mary (Hamilton) Mays, the former a native of South Carolina, and the latter of Northampton county, Penn. He was a soldier in the ware of 1812, and in battle suffered injuries which caused his death at the age of fifty-five years. By trade he was a millwright and miller, and in 1843 he located in Clarion county, Penn., where he lived until called to the home beyond. His wife died at the age of seventy- five years, and was buried in Butler county, Kans. The great- grandparents, Thomas W. and Mary Martha (Hamilton) Mays, were natives of Germany and Ireland, respectively. The former served in the Revolutionary war and was wounded in the struggle for independence. He was a millwright by trade, and built one of the first mills in Westmoreland county, Penn. Later he moved to Venango county, Penn., where he spent his last days. Mrs. Robert Norris belonged to the family of which the following named were also members; Margaret E., deceased wife of Oliver Cathers; John, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of William Cook, a farmer of Clarion county, Penn.; Eleanor, widow of Simon Huntingdon, and a resident of Reynoldsville; Thomas W., a farmer of Little Rock, Iowa; Mrs. Jane Norris; and Daniel, a farmer of Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Norris were born the following children: John M.; Margaret E., wife of J. F. Chambers, of Reynoldsville; Mary, at home; James C.; Nancy J., wife of L. B. DeHaven, of Johnsburg, Penn.; Adra A., who is with her mother; Daniel, deceased; and Robert W., who is studying medicine in Philadelphia. John M. Norris, who is living on the old homestead, was born in Winslow township, April 25, 1853. He was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, and after arriving at years of maturity was married November 6, 1879 to Miss Mary Hillis, by whom he has three children: Dora NM., Robert J. and Julia Estella. Mrs. Norris was born in Philadelphia, June 19, 1858, and is a daughter of James and Jane (Graham) Hillis, the former born in New York, and the latter in County Derry, Ireland. Her mother cam to Philadelphia with an aunt, and was married in the city to Mr. Hillis. In 1861 they removed to the farm in Jefferson county which is now their home. Their children are Mrs. Norris; Robert J., a physician of Altoona, Penn.; John R. and Sarah E., at home. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. John M. Norris, Robert and Mary (McColley) Hillis, were natives of County Derry, Ireland, and on coming to America located in New York. The latter died in Philadelphia, and the former in Jefferson county, Penn., at the age of eighty-two years. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. John M. Norris made his home with his parents until December, 1879, when he removed to a house about one hundred yards distant. He is an energetic, progressive farmer, and has a valuable property in the old home place, the land being underlaid with a rich vein of coal. He has been called to public office by his fellow townsmen who recognize his sterling worth and ability, was supervisor one year, township auditor three years, and a member of the election board sixteen times. In politics he is a Democrat, is a member of Paradise Grange, No. 854, and belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. James C. Norris, who occupies that part of the old family homestead lying in Henderson township, was born n Winslow township, April 2, 1859, and in the school room and on the farm his youth was passed. He was married January 17, 1894, the lady of his choice being Miss Jennie C. McDonald, ad hey have one child, Howard T. In the year of his marriage, James C. Norris built his present home. He and his brother reside on the same farm with their mother, and their business operations are conducted with the utmost harmony. He has served as auditor of his township, but has never aspired to political honors. He also belongs to the Paradise Grange, and gives his political support to the Democracy. Like the others of the family, he is an intelligent and progressive member of society, a worthy citizen who to know is to honor.