George Wnfield NORRIS

NORRIS, BAILEY, SHEESLEY, IRVING, JARMAN, MCPHEETERS, LOGAN, MCCLAIN, VANNOY, RIDGE, MCGOON, NOLEN, CAYSON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/27/2009 at 10:21:24

The Mount Ayr Record-NEWS, 1926

GEORGE NORRIS IS KILLED BY TRAIN

Respected Citizen Run Down by Car and
Crushed to Death Yesterday Afternoon

George NORRIS, a respected citizen of Redding, was killed yesterday afternoon by being run down by a freight car in the Redding yards. Mr. NORRIS had driven to the depot for some freight and drove across the sidetrack just as a car was cut loose from the train which was switching. His team became frightened and backed the wagon squarely in front of the moving car, which struck the wagon, throwing Mr. NORRIS to the track in front of the moving car, crushing him to death. The wagon was demolished and one of the horses killed.

Dr. Samuel BAILEY, county coroner, was called and accompanied by Deputy Sheriff J. L. SHEESLEY went at once to Redding, where an inquest was held. The jury at the hearing was composed of John IRVING, Ezra McPHEETERS and C. E. JARMAN.

Mr. NORRIS, who was 72 years of age, was one of the most highly respected and best known citizens of the Redding community, having resided on a farm south of Redding for many years. His tragic death casts a shadow of mourning over the community.

OITUARY - GEORGE NORRIS.

A dark gloom was cast over the entire town and vicinity of Redding when the sad news was made known that George NORRIS, who lives one-half mile south of Redding, met with a sad and fatal accident Tuesday, June 22, at 1:55 p.m., as he was crossing the Burlington tracks in Redding. The south bound freight was switching a couple of box cars on the side track when they crushed into his team and wagon, and when they reached his body, he was breathing his last, and in a few minutes he bid farewell to the transient scenes of life and took his departure to that city, whose maker and builder is God.

George Winfield NORRIS was born in Tascoray county, Ohio, May 15, 1855, and departed this life June 22, 1926, age 71 years, one month and seven days.

He was married to Anna LOGAN, 1877, who preceded him in death May 27, 1892. To this union were born four children, all of whom survive their parents. February 19, 1893, he was again married to Ida McCLAIN. To this union were born eight children, four of whom died in infancy. He left his native state when but a boy and emigrated to Ringgold county with his parents, who located on a farm near Redding, Iowa, and with the exception of one year spent in Kansas, he has lived the greater part of his life in Ringgold county, Iowa and for the past seventeen years, he and his faithful companion resided on the farm where he lived up to the time of his death. About forty-five years ago he was converted at the little school house west of his home during the ministry of Rev. W. E. HENSLEY. He was baptized and united with the Free Will Baptist church, where he remained a faithful, devoted member until the end. Mr. NORRIS was a man of sterling worth to the community whose character was above reproach. He was quiet and unassuming in his ways, but his life was one long and upward journey towards the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Though death came suddenly and unexpectedly it did not find him unprepared, for his life had been lived in preparation to meet the final summons. He found his inspiration at his fireside, and approached the ideal in his domestic life. His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, "This was a man." He was honest, both with himself and with others. His life each day was an exhibition of the truthfulness of his profession. The influence of his good deeds will continue to go on like the waves of the mighty ocean, rolling on until they break upon the farther shore. He was an affectionate husband, a loving father, a loyal citizen and a good neighbor. Besides his wife he leaves to mourn eight children - five sons and three daughters - Mrs. Bertha VANNOY, Linwood, Kan.; Charles E., Clyde E. and Leslie N. NORRIS, all of Redding; Dean and Sylvie NORRIS, at home; six grandchildren, four sisters - Mrs. Thomas RIDGE, Blockton, Iowa; Mrs. Lizzie McGOON, Mrs. Fanny NOLEN, Mrs. Carrie CAYSON, all of Mound City, Mo.; four brothers - Dow NORRIS, of Redding; Otis and Gush NORRIS, of Mound City, Mo., and Samuel NORRIS, of Los Angeles, Calif., besides many other relatives as well as a host of friends.

The funeral service was conducted at the home Thursday afternoon, June 24, at 2 p.m. in the presence of a large crowd of sympathetic friends and neighbors. Rev. Arthur S. OLSEN, pastor of the Grant City Methodist church, conducted the service, assisted by the Rev. L. G. CHANNELL, pastor of the Methodist church in Redding, Iowa. Interment was in the Fairview cemetery where he was tenderly laid to rest. The bereaved family have the deepest sympathy of the entire community. May the richest blessings from Heaven and the comforting presence of His spirit bind up these wounded hearts.

The pall bearers were: L. E., Charles E., Clyde E., Dayton, Dean and Robert VANNOY, all of whom were his sons except the latter who is the grandson.

The quartet composed of Mrs. Frank HILLHOUSE, Mrs. Bert DEFENGAUGH, D. M. FLUKE, Andrew MECKEMSON, sang, "O Happy Day," "Un-Answered Yet" and "Unclouded Day."

CARD OF THANKS.

To our many kind friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted us during our sad bereavement of our dear husband and father, George NORRIS, and to those who offered their services and for the kind words of sympathy, the splendid music and the beautiful floral offerings, please accept our many thanks.

MRS. GEORGE NORRIS AND CHILDREN.
NOTE: Anna M. (LOGAN), George NORRIS' first wife, was born in 1861, and died at the age of 31 years and 22 days on May 27, 1892 with interment at Fairview Cemetery. Ida (McCLAIN), George NORRIS' second wife and widow, was born in 1871, and died in 1947 with interment at Fairview Cemetery.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, 2008