IowaJones/Biographies/N. S. Noble

N. S. Noble–A. Null

Newton S. Noble
Born March 6, 1831

NEWTON S. NOBLE, retired, Anamosa; is a native of Southwick, Hampden Co., Mass., and was born March 6, 1831. He grew up to manhood in that State. He was united in marriage January 26, 1852, to Miss Sarah L. Pepper, a native of Southwick, Hampden Co., Mass. In 1855, they came to Iowa and located at Anamosa; the following year, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and, in 1857, he was elected Sheriff of Jones Co., and held that office between two and three years. He afterward returned to Massachusetts, and gave his attention to raising tobacco. He went South and was engaged in contracting and building railroads in Texas. He returned to Anamosa, and, for the past five years, he has been engaged in cultivating and raising tobacco. He was the first to introduce the culture of tobacco to any extent in this State, and he has fully demonstratled that it can be raised with success and profit. Following his example, many others are giving attention to the same pursuit quite extensively, at the County Convention recently held, Mr. Noble was chosen as candidate for Representative to the State Legislature.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 569.

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W. Howard Norris
Born February 8, 1869

W. Howard Norris, a representative farmer of Scotch Grove township, was born in Maryland, February 8, 1869. His parents were George R. and Eliza (White) Norris, both descendants of families who had for generations been identified with the affairs of that state. It was their birthplace, as well as that of their son, and remained their home until 1822. In March of that year Mr. Norris moved his family to Jones county, Iowa, locating in Scotch Grove township, where he resided, with the exception of two years, until his death. His life was brought to a close in 1892, but Mrs. Norris is still living, making her home with her son Arthur in that township.

W. Howard Norris was reared at home and obtained his education in the district schools. After the death of his father, he and his brother Arthur continued to farm the home place until 1902, when Howard Norris came to live upon the land which is now the scene of his operations. In 1901 he had purchased one hundred and four acres, with the farm buildings thereon, of the old William McIntyre place, and in the winter of that year he bought an additional fifty-six acres, so that he might have a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he removed in the spring of 1902. In 1904 he purchased an adjoining eighty acres, so that he now owns two hundred and forty acres in one body. Although this constitutes his land holdings at the present, in 1899 he bought the Finley Lewis farm, near Onslow, Scotch Grove township, embracing one hundred and twenty acres. He never located on that place, however, but, after renting it for several years, disposed of it in 1904 at a handsome profit. Mr. Norris has devoted himself largely to diversified farming but he has every year engaged more extensively in the stock business. A careful husbandman, industrious and ambitious to obtain the best results possible for his investment of time and labor, he has risen to an enviable position among the agriculturists here. Open, honest and upright, his life has won the respect of all who have come in contact with him.

In May, 1901, Mr. Norris wedded Miss Augusta Scheer, of Wayne township, a daughter of Christ Scheer, one of the leading farmers of that township. Of this marriage have been born three children: Alice Rosa, Edna Margaret and Lucille Esther. Mr. Norris has ever given stanch support to the republican party, as he places the utmost confidence in its platform, but has taken no part in the local public affairs. His wife is a devout member of the Lutheran church, and although he does not give allegiance to any religious body the principles by which he orders his life are those encouraged by all Christian faiths.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 205.

Robert A. Norton
Born October 29, 1838

Robert A. Norton, the owner of two hundred and twenty acres, including two farms and a pasture on the Wapsi river, his home being in the midst of beautiful elm, maple and evergreen trees that furnish both shade and adornment, is numbered among the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of Jones county, Iowa. A native of the Buckeye state, he was born in Medina county, October 29, 1838, a son of Robert and Abigail (Parmenter) Norton, the former born in Yorkshire, England, in 1790, and the latter in Berkshire, Massachusetts, in 1800. Robert Norton came to Ohio in the early '20s and was here united in marriage. Unto him and his wife were born two children: Robert A., the subject of this review; and Maria, who died in 1860. The father died in Ohio when he was sixty-four years of age and the mother resided with her son until she, too, passed away at the age of seventy-eight.

Robert A. Norton, having resided in Medina county, Ohio, until he was eighteen years of age, there received his education, remaining in the home of his parents until 1857, when he went to Pierce county, Wisconsin, and secured employment as a laborer, working at various occupations for the subsequent two and a half years. Not wishing to make his home in Wisconsin, however, he returned to Ohio, remaining here for a year and a half, when, in the spring of 1861, he came to Jones county, Iowa. For a few years he rented a farm but in 1865, having accumulated a sum sufficient to purchase eighty acres of raw prairie, he took up his abode on what is now a part of his present extensive possessions. Persevering and energetic, be converted the wild prairie into fertile fields and meadows. Each year as generous harvests rewarded his untiring labors, he purchased additional acres, erected good substantial buildings and planted trees, making his place one of the attractive and picturesque features of the landscape and indicating in all its improvements and beauty the thrift and enterprise of the owner.

In 1864 Mr. Norton was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Manning, who was born in Washington county, New York, June 15, 1841, and came to Iowa in 1860 with her parents, John T. and Jane (Clark) Manning, also natives of Washington county, New York. The father was born April 2, 1812, his death occurring in Wyoming township, December 31, 1891, while the mother, who was born September 28, 1806, passed away September 16, 1884. Unto Robert A. Norton and his wife were born six children: Cora, the wife of Ed Hernon, residing in Wyoming township, this county; John L., a resident of Gordonsville, Virginia; George, at home with his parents; Isabelle, the wife of Elijah Edwards, also of Oxford township; Jessie, who died October 21, 1897; and Mary E., the wife of Milo G. Philips, of Pleasant Hill, Hale township, this county.

In his political views Mr. Norton is an earnest democrat, believing firmly in the principles of the party and his fellow citizens, appreciative of his worth and faithful adherence to high principles, elected him to the offices of trustee, assessor and tax collector, in which positions of public trust he served for several terms. Aside from general agricultural pursuits, for the past thirty years Mr. Norton has made a specialty of stock feeding. He is now the owner of two hundred and twenty acres, which is included in two farms and a good pasture on the Wapsi river, and his success is attributable in large measure to unfaltering industry and honorable, straightforward business methods.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 296.

Bert Nowachek
Born 1857

BERT NOWACHEK, farmer, Oxford Twp., Sec. 3; P.O. Oxford Junction; born in Europe in 1857; came to America in 1859. Married October 10 1877; have one child—Josephine, 1 year old; born November 10, 1879. In politics, Democrat; religion, Catholic.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 595.

N. B. Noyes
Born October 21, 1834

N. B. NOYES, postmaster, Onslow; born October 21, 1834, in Addison Co., Vt. In 1861, came to Iowa, then returned to Ohio, and enlisted in Co. F, 29th Ohio V.I.; served fourteen months; was discharged on account of physical disability; he then returned to Ohio; in 1864, he came to Jones Co. Married Henrietta Crowell in 1864; she was born in 1836 in Ohio; died in 1866; have one child-J. Gratie. Second marriage to Miss M. J. Worrell in 1867; she was born in Ohio; have five children—Bertha M., Fannie E., Walter T., Arthur E. and an infant not named. Republican; M.E. Church.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 613.

Albert Null
Born June 7, 1848

ALBERT NULL, proprietor of saloon, Monticello; is a native of Germany, and was born June 7, 1848; he came to America in 1857, when 9 years of age; he came to Iowa in 1863, and since then has lived in Jones Co.; he engaged in his present business in 1876. He married Miss Kate Wilson, from Philadelphia, in 1869; they have three children—Emma, Johnnie and Albert.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 677.