The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-07-10
Eeath of A. 0. Norris. ESQ.

was "a native of Abbeville District, and was
born in the neighborhood of Calhouns Mills in
the month of April, 1908. When quite youth,
his father removed to this vicinity, and it was
hero th:st the greater portion of his life was
spent For the past fifteen months the health
of Squire Norris has been gradually falling
and he las had several attacks Of erysipelas
which were complicated with other physical
Affections. During the past two months his
suferings have been intense, which confined
him to his bed, and for several weeks it has
been apparent that death only would relieve
him from the agonics of disease. On Thursday
last, at . o'clock, the spirit winged its fight
from the suffering body, and passed into the
realms of eternity.
Few men are more useful in their day and
generation than the deceased. Possessed of q
quick dscernment, an active mind, and an ac-
commodasing disposition, he has been steadily
occupied with the duties of public position and
the demands of private business. In early life
he was appointed a Magistrate for this neigh
borhood, and for many years faithfully attended
to the requirements of that Office, attracting at
tention to his qualifications as business man
by readiness and punctuality in the exercise of
this important trust. In 1885, when the Office
of Commissioner i'll Equity became vacant by
the death Of Maj. Cresswell, the Governor ap-
pointed Mr.. Norris to fill the unexpircd term,
and at the ensuing session of the Legislature
he was chosen for regular term, and continued
to be reelected until 1865, having held the Of
flee for twenty years. His fidelity and accura-
cy in this responsible position were known and
read of all men, often receiving the praise of
his superiors. In 1870 he was elected Probate
Judge, and for two years maintained the same
patient and untiring devotion to his duties that
characterized him as Commissioner in Equity.
In 1856, Mr.. Norris purchased al interest in
the Anderson Gazette, being associated with
the late Judge Orr and Gen. J.. W. Harri-
son in its psoprietorship, under the firm name
: of A. O. Norris & Co., which continued to exist
until the fall of 1861, when the paper was sus-
pended. For considerable portion of that
time, we we're engaged in publishing the
Gase!te, and for nearly two years was member
of the firm. The paper rose rapidly into favor
under the business management of Mr.. Norris,
and at one time obtained circulation une-
qualled in the up.country.
But it was not alone in the concerns of the
world and the domain of the citizen where the
deceased exhibited that energy and faithful
uess for which he was conspicuous. He was
strong adherent of the Presbyterian faith, and
contributed 20 the prosperity of his church by
arduous, constant labors in official position, no
less than by the liberal expenditure of his pri-
vate means ON all proper occasions. He was a
Ruling Elder of the Presbyterian Church in
this town for many years, and was frequently
its representative in the Presbytery, while he
was often in attendance as delegate to the
Synod of Serth Carolina, and likewise has been
a member o., tie General Assembly-thcse po-
sitions of trust and responsibility showing the
esteem in which he was held among his
brethren.
In word, wherever he was thrown in life,
the deceased sustained character for fidelity
and punctuaiity seldom equaled Honest and
true, plain and ouRpoken, with strong affec-
tions and prejudices, he was known to the
world and to the church, and the position of
honor and esteem was always accorded him.
But his career on earth is ended, and he shall
be known no more forever in the accustomed
places, where he was wont to appear regularly
and promptly. Fulfilling the measure of his
existence and relying firmly upon the Saviour,
he went out Of the world with prayer upon his
lips, invoking blessings upon neighbors, friends
and family, the church andthe community. 4
The deceased leaves numerous family of
descendants to mourn their loss, for he was
truly revered among them. His wife survives
him, and likewise his aged mother, now up
wards of eighty years old.
The funeral services took place at the Pres
byterian Church on Friday afternoon, i'll the
presence of large concourse of our citizens,
and were conducted by Rev. D. E. Frierson,
who made brief and appropriate remarks touch
ing the life ard services of the deceased, de-
scribing the steady faith exhibited in his last
illness, and justly deineating the strong points
Of his character. He was followed by Rev.
VIM. Carlisle, who spoke of the deceased as
friend and neighbor, eulogizing his virtues and
praising his memory. When the religious SER
vices were concluded, the remains were COM
m,itted to the charge of the Masonic fraternity,
and the procession marched to the grave, Where
the solemn ceremonies we're observed, and the
mortal remains were buried with the honors of
the craft, of which he has been a tried and
trusted member for many years.
Anderson Polytechnic Society.