Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-23

@A @was the general topic
SA~ =of conversation in bus
>~~~N 81 mess circles all day
Mr.. Norment had been confined to his house
| FOR over two weeks with bronchitis. but no i'm
mediate danger was anticipated. and last
| Saturday morning it was thought by his family
that he was on a fair way to recovery.
| Later in the day, however, a severe ft of
coughing seized upon him and peritonitis set
In. From that time on he suffered excruciat-
ingly, and his death. which it was seen must
| ensue came almost a relief. On Saturday
Drs. b. L. Sewers and Warwick Evans w,re
called in consultation. but they could not re-
heve him and gave no hope for his recovery.
Until within about three weeks Mr.. Norment
1 had enjoyed the best of health. but curiously
enough had often expressed himself as of the
opinion that when his end came it would come
| suddenly. He dreaded pneumonia above all
| things and a slight cold was enough to cause
| him extreme worriment.
| EXPRESSIONS OF REGRET AND SORROW.
| The news of his death was received on all
sides with every sign of regret and sorrow, for
few men in Washington were as well known or
as popular as he was. The bank over which he
| had presided from the first was heavily Graped
| with mourning today, and in the door was a
notice that told the story TO all passers by.
Mr.. Norment was known to be one of the
| wealthiest men in the city and almost his en-
tire fortune was made here and stands in Wash
! ington investments. He came to this city a
poor man about the year 1916. soon after he
had reached his manhood, and entered one of
the government departments. He was
/ twice mar arried the first time to
daughter of Rev. Ulysses Ward, a Methodist
minister who owned considerable real estate
| In this city, which has since enhanced i'm
| mensely in value. On the death of his wife
| her share in this reverted to him. BY his first
| wife he had three children, all of whom are
living.
| HIS ENTRANCE INTO BUSINESS LIFE.
His position in the Treasury Department
was uncongenial to him and during the war be
resigned and entered the 'nmber business. In
the treasury he had reached the highest grade
/ in his division, but his abilities we're larger
| than his sphere of action there.
| He continued with marked success in the
lumber business for seventeen years, but finally
| gave that up to devote himself to banking. in
! surance and financiering, for which he had
| early developed u decided talent. His success
is shown by the position he occupied in the
| business world
| His connection with the Central National
Bank began with its organization, April IL,
| 1878, and he has been the president of the bank
/ ever since its foundation.
His second wife Miss Ctermehle. a
| daughter of Charles Utermehle of this city.
| Her share of her fathers property she placed
! in her husbands hands for management, and
| this. added to his own immense holding made
him the heaviest taxpayer on real estate in the
| city.
| Mr.. Norment was a self-made man in the
sense that he mapped out his own career and
| made marked success of it. Few men have
been interested In as many large business
undertakings and his ability and financial skill
were undoubted.
At the same time he was generous. charitable
| and kind to those in want and during his life
gave away largely of his means to the mainte-
nance and support of those in need. as well as
to the cause OF education. to various charitable
| institutions and to churches and colleges.
POSITIONS OF TRUST AND RESPONSIBILITY.
Mr.Normeut filled many places Of trust and
responsibility. He was for years one of the
active regents of Dickinson Colieg, at Carlisle,
Pa. He also for many years one of the
commissioners Of police. director in the
/ National Bank of the Republic as well as presi-
| dent Of the Central National Bank
| At one time he owned one-third of the WASH
ington Gaslight Co. stock, he of the origi-
| nal owners of the Washington and Georgetown
railroad stock, one of the heaviest investors in
/ the United States Electric Light Company, its
principal stockholder and president for eight
| years, a large stakeholder and director in
| the National Bank of the Republic,
and treasurer of the National Life Maturity Co
He was director in the Washington Loan and
Trust Co.. one of the principal stockholders and
| director in the Kingsley Creamery Co., and
was at one time president of the Mutual Fire
Insurance Co., and president of the Inland and
| Seaboard Coastlng Co He was a commissioner
Of the Washington Asylum.
| He was a man of integrity. industry and
! honesty. Few men who have been SO
| thoroughly immersed in business pursuits
have passed life with such a bfameless
| record. He has always taken the deepest in
! terest in every enterprise that had for its
object the growth and development of this
| city. He had pre-eminent pride in all its i'm
provements, contributing at the same time ali
In his power toward its advancement aud
success.
HIS PRIVATE LIFE.
But all his time was not given to business.
| He took great interest in educational matters
| and advanced the cause of education and re-
| Hgion by munifcent gifts to various churches
| and institutions of learning.
Though in no sense sectarian in his life or
| views, MIR. Norment was from his early youth
connected with the Methodist church, of which
| he was always prominent and active member.
He was one of the original trustees of the
Metropolitan M Z. Church and before that
| was leading member of Wesley Chapel
| He was a large contributor to different ehari-
table institutions, though always in a quiet and
| unobtrusive way, One of his more recent
| kindnesses was the endowing Of n bed at Gar
field Memorial Hospital for the use of disabled
policemen,
MIR. Norment leaves two children. daughter
and "a son by his second wife. who also survives
| him.
| The funeral will take place from the family
residence on u street Wednesday afternoon at
3 o'clock. Rev. Drs. Corey and Domer will
oficiate and the presidents of the national
banks Of the city will act as honorary pail
bearers, The interment will be at Rock Creek
cemetery.
DISCRIMINATION nENUEn