Bio: Norris, R. J. S. (1881)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Norris, Hurd

----Source: History of Northern Wis. (Wood County, Wis.) 1881, page 1206

R. J. S. NORRIS. Mr. Norris is an able Congregational clergyman, born in the English Channel, on the Isle of Wight, Dec. 4, 1844. He received an academic education, and came to Canada, locating in Ontario. Having a decided taste for music, he early became a teacher of this art. He began a course of theological study, and not being very robust, he engaged as a traveling agent for a mercantile house. Having qualified himself, he preached several years in Canada, and then took a charge in Rochester, N. Y., where his health failing, he came West at the end of a year, on a vacation, and the Wis. air seeming to brace him up, he located in Milton, Rock Co., in 1873 and since then has done considerable evangelical work, having organized several churches. In 1879 he was stationed as pastor of the Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, which charge he resigned in September, 1881, on account of failing health. Mr. Norris has been a successful author, contributing to the current literature of the church, furnishing hymns and music. He was married, Oct. l0, 1870, to Miss Elizabeth A. Hurd. They have three sons and three daughters.