He was an attorney at law, as well as, for many years, the highly esteemed editor of the Ottumwa Weekly Courier. He was very active in local politics, serving on many committees for improvement of his community. In 1861 he was appointed Postmaster by President Abraham Lincoln.
From the Des Moines Courier, 13 May 1852:
"J. W. Norris, Esq., of Ottumwa, has assumed the editorial control of the Des Moines Courier. Mr. Norris is a good writer and a devoted Whig, and his timely and efficient service during the approaching campaign will be hailed with pleasure by the good Whigs of the Des Moines Valley." (He retired as Editor in 1876.)
He owned the paper signed by General George Washington granting his grandfather, James Norris, furlough and discharge.
From the Ottumwa Weekly Courier, 6 April 1865:
"From Washington, D.C., to J. W. Norris, President Lincoln telegraphs at 8:30 this morning that Petersburg is evacuated and that Grant thinks Richmond also. Grant is rushing off to cut off retreat."
From the same newspaper, Thursday, October 24, 1872:
"Sad Accident. Last evening at 9:00, a kerosene lamp exploded at the residence of J. W. Norris, seriously burning Mrs. Norris from her feet to her waist. .. They were in their bedroom. The lamp was on a table over two feet from Mr. Norris, when suddenly it exploded, scattering the oil all over the floor and igniting everything in a blaze instantly. They immediately gave the fire alarm and attempted to put it out with water and bedding, and while attempting to subdue the fire, Mrs Norris' clothing caught fire, seriously burning her. .. Dr. Thrall was called and is confident that in a few weeks, Mrs. Norris will be restored to health."
Sources, Ancestry.com and various historical newspapers.
From the Des Moines Courier, 13 May 1852:
"J. W. Norris, Esq., of Ottumwa, has assumed the editorial control of the Des Moines Courier. Mr. Norris is a good writer and a devoted Whig, and his timely and efficient service during the approaching campaign will be hailed with pleasure by the good Whigs of the Des Moines Valley." (He retired as Editor in 1876.)
He owned the paper signed by General George Washington granting his grandfather, James Norris, furlough and discharge.
From the Ottumwa Weekly Courier, 6 April 1865:
"From Washington, D.C., to J. W. Norris, President Lincoln telegraphs at 8:30 this morning that Petersburg is evacuated and that Grant thinks Richmond also. Grant is rushing off to cut off retreat."
From the same newspaper, Thursday, October 24, 1872:
"Sad Accident. Last evening at 9:00, a kerosene lamp exploded at the residence of J. W. Norris, seriously burning Mrs. Norris from her feet to her waist. .. They were in their bedroom. The lamp was on a table over two feet from Mr. Norris, when suddenly it exploded, scattering the oil all over the floor and igniting everything in a blaze instantly. They immediately gave the fire alarm and attempted to put it out with water and bedding, and while attempting to subdue the fire, Mrs Norris' clothing caught fire, seriously burning her. .. Dr. Thrall was called and is confident that in a few weeks, Mrs. Norris will be restored to health."
Sources, Ancestry.com and various historical newspapers.
He was an attorney at law, as well as, for many years, the highly esteemed editor of the Ottumwa Weekly Courier. He was very active in local politics, serving on many committees for improvement of his community. In 1861 he was appointed Postmaster by President Abraham Lincoln.
From the Des Moines Courier, 13 May 1852:
"J. W. Norris, Esq., of Ottumwa, has assumed the editorial control of the Des Moines Courier. Mr. Norris is a good writer and a devoted Whig, and his timely and efficient service during the approaching campaign will be hailed with pleasure by the good Whigs of the Des Moines Valley." (He retired as Editor in 1876.)
He owned the paper signed by General George Washington granting his grandfather, James Norris, furlough and discharge.
From the Ottumwa Weekly Courier, 6 April 1865:
"From Washington, D.C., to J. W. Norris, President Lincoln telegraphs at 8:30 this morning that Petersburg is evacuated and that Grant thinks Richmond also. Grant is rushing off to cut off retreat."
From the same newspaper, Thursday, October 24, 1872:
"Sad Accident. Last evening at 9:00, a kerosene lamp exploded at the residence of J. W. Norris, seriously burning Mrs. Norris from her feet to her waist. .. They were in their bedroom. The lamp was on a table over two feet from Mr. Norris, when suddenly it exploded, scattering the oil all over the floor and igniting everything in a blaze instantly. They immediately gave the fire alarm and attempted to put it out with water and bedding, and while attempting to subdue the fire, Mrs Norris' clothing caught fire, seriously burning her. .. Dr. Thrall was called and is confident that in a few weeks, Mrs. Norris will be restored to health."
Sources, Ancestry.com and various historical newspapers.
From the Des Moines Courier, 13 May 1852:
"J. W. Norris, Esq., of Ottumwa, has assumed the editorial control of the Des Moines Courier. Mr. Norris is a good writer and a devoted Whig, and his timely and efficient service during the approaching campaign will be hailed with pleasure by the good Whigs of the Des Moines Valley." (He retired as Editor in 1876.)
He owned the paper signed by General George Washington granting his grandfather, James Norris, furlough and discharge.
From the Ottumwa Weekly Courier, 6 April 1865:
"From Washington, D.C., to J. W. Norris, President Lincoln telegraphs at 8:30 this morning that Petersburg is evacuated and that Grant thinks Richmond also. Grant is rushing off to cut off retreat."
From the same newspaper, Thursday, October 24, 1872:
"Sad Accident. Last evening at 9:00, a kerosene lamp exploded at the residence of J. W. Norris, seriously burning Mrs. Norris from her feet to her waist. .. They were in their bedroom. The lamp was on a table over two feet from Mr. Norris, when suddenly it exploded, scattering the oil all over the floor and igniting everything in a blaze instantly. They immediately gave the fire alarm and attempted to put it out with water and bedding, and while attempting to subdue the fire, Mrs Norris' clothing caught fire, seriously burning her. .. Dr. Thrall was called and is confident that in a few weeks, Mrs. Norris will be restored to health."
Sources, Ancestry.com and various historical newspapers.
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